Study for an MA in Literary Translation with BCLT

The MA in Literary Translation is the longest-running programme in the UK dedicated exclusively to literary translation.

For decades it has helped launch the careers of many leading translators working today, including Don Bartlett, Christina McSweeney and Rosalind Harvey. The course focuses on the study and practice of translating literature in its many forms, from prose and poetry to theatre and experimental writing, approaching translation as a creative practice in its own right.

Based at the BCLT at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, the MA places you at the heart of an international literary translation community. You’ll learn from renowned translators and researchers, take part in dynamic translation workshops, and connect with writers, publishers and industry professionals. Set in historic Norwich, England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, the programme offers a vibrant literary environment and direct engagement with the publishing world, helping you develop the skills, confidence and professional networks needed to begin a career in literary translation.

Graduates may go on to work as professional literary translators, editors, publishers, or academics. Many literary translators combine translation with other kinds of work, and our graduates have built careers across the literary and cultural industries.

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The MA has opened many doors for me, in terms of making contacts, stimulating experiences and a wide variety of paid work

Josephine Murray, MA Literary Translation 2022

Why Study an MA in Literary Translation with BCLT?

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Become part of a vibrant literary community

Studying the MA in Literary Translation with us places you in the heart of Norwich, England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. With a literary history stretching back over 900 years, Norwich is a city where stories, reading and writing shape everyday life. Renowned writers including Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McEwan, Eimear McBride and Sarah Perry have all called the city home.

Today, its vibrant literary culture includes Norwich Book Festival, The Norfolk and Norwich Festival, independent bookshops, book launches and events throughout the year, including those at UEA Live and National Centre for Writing. This offers students a rich creative environment and a thriving community of writers, translators and readers.

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Learn from established Literary Translators

On the MA in Literary Translation, teaching is delivered by experienced literary translators and researchers from the BCLT research group, who bring both professional and academic expertise into the classroom.

The lively programme of literary translation workshops and research seminars run by the BCLT will give you the opportunity to learn the art of translation from leading professionals and creatives. These sessions feature guest speakers and professional translators, including those participating in the Centre’s Translators-in-Residence scheme, offering insights into contemporary translation practice, the publishing world, and the craft of literary translation.

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Home to the National Centre for Writing

National Centre for Writing (NCW) is a contemporary literature house in the heart of Norwich, committed to the transformative power of stories for personal, social and community development.

NCW hosts regular literary translation events and monthly 'Dragon Hall Socials' - informal networking evenings where writers, translators and creatives from across the city gather to share ideas, meet collaborators and discuss new projects. For students on the MA, this provides invaluable opportunities to connect with Norwich’s thriving literary community and the wider world of contemporary writing and translation

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Have your work published in the MA Anthology

At the end of the course your literary translations will be published in an anthology published by Egg Box Publishing

The UEA MA Literary Translation and Poetry Anthology showcases diverse, experimental work from graduating cohorts, featuring poetry, prose, and drama translations alongside original, born-in-English poetry.

This 2025 anthology features translations from Ancient Greek, Japanese, French, Taiwanese Mandarin, Italian, and Vietnamese, alongside original work in drama, prose, and poetry. With forewords by Forward Prize–winning poet Denise Riley and acclaimed literary translator and author Kate Briggs, the collection celebrates a new generation of writers and translators experimenting boldly with voice, form and language.

You can read selections from the anthology on newwriting.net

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Attend London Book Fair

Each year, MA Literary Translation Students have the opportunity to attend London Book Fair.

If you’re an emerging literary translator, the London Book Fair is a great place to learn how the publishing world works and to start building connections. Alongside the wider Fair, the Literary Translation Centre offers talks, panels and networking events focused specifically on translation, covering practical questions, industry insights and current debates such as access and decolonising translation. Co-programmed by the British Centre for Literary Translation and partner organisations, these sessions are designed to support translators at all stages, making the Fair a valuable opportunity to learn, meet others in the field, and take your next steps as a literary translator.

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Volunteer or Intern at BCLT

Volunteering offers a great way to get involved with BCLT outside of your studies. We are always seeking UEA students to volunteer to help with an ongoing cataloguing project of the BCLT Library. Volunteers have also helped to develop social media content for our various platforms.

In addition, each year we recruit student interns, who have helped out with a variety of literary translation projects, events and with the annual BCLT Summer School. This is a paid opportunity which usually takes place in the Summer term.

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Our campus

UEA is a vibrant community united by difference. Our campus has nurtured independent thinking since 1963, and in that time thousands of students have found their place here – found their world in ours.

With access to world-class, research-led teaching and study facilities, our campus offers everything you’ll need to get the most from your studies. With quiet spaces across campus, we offer a range of group and self-study areas to help you optimise your time. The Green Flag-accredited grounds within our friendly campus are ideal for revising in warmer weather, getting some fresh air, or taking a quiet walk between lectures.

Just 2 miles away from our award-winning campus, Norwich and surrounding areas are safe, welcoming, and full of entertainment and experiences to discover. Our walkable city is the UK’s best-kept secrets, with acres of open space, culture, music and more for you to explore.

Find out more about UEA life

Teaching, learning and assessment

On this course, you will develop your skills through critical reading, translation practice, and workshop discussion. You will share your work with peers, receive regular feedback, and explore a range of genres, including poetry, fiction, and drama.

Teaching combines module content with BCLT workshops, seminars, and industry-focused events, helping you build both creative and critical skills alongside an understanding of publishing and contemporary literary culture.

Assessment varies by module and may include critical, creative, or creative-critical coursework. The course concludes with a dissertation, which can be either a critical study or a creative-critical translation project with commentary.

You’ll leave the course confident of your own abilities as a literary translator and of what it takes to become a professional translator: from writing a reader’s report, to approaching a publisher and pitching a book. You’ll have a strong understanding of the publishing world, and of the grants and support available for translation from the language/s you focus on.

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Meet our alumni

The MA in Literary Translation at UEA was an incredible experience that has quite literally changed the direction of my life. The course gave me a thorough grounding in translation theory and practice, as well as insight into the publishing and translation industry. The best part of the MA in Literary Translation without a doubt was the people – people who are supportive, encouraging and enthusiastic

Heidi Clark, MA Literary Translation 2025

Find out what our alumni have to say...

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Josephine Murray

"The MA has opened many doors for me, in terms of making contacts, stimulating experiences and a wide variety of paid work.

For my assessed project for the Translation Theory and History module of the MA, I focused on translating mentions of food in literature and translating recipe books. This research became the basis for a talk which I gave at the CIOL annual conference, and several talks and workshops for schools. It served as a springboard for translation work with publisher Hachette Pratique, firstly proof-reading the English translations of three cookery books, with reference to the French originals, and then translating a cookery book/food memoir.

For another module, I drew on my existing interest in children's literature, as a parent and former teacher, to study the translation of children's picture books. My experience in translating non-fiction and children's literature led Dr Rossi to recommend me to publisher Harper Collins to translate a series of three illustrated children's non-fiction books; Nature, Cities and Myths by Mamon Bucciarelli. I now also give talks about translating children's literature."

Ailsa Wood

"During my time on the MALT course, convenor Dr Cecilia Rossi introduced me to editor Richard Village of independent publishing house Foundry Editions. As a result my translation (Italian to English) of Chiara Valerio's Chi Dice e Chi Tace ('The Little I Knew') was published last year, and I am now translating the sequel.

I found the course stimulating and learned a great deal despite already working as a professional translator. It was a very valuable experience all round."

Book cover for "This World Does Not Belong to Us" by Natalia Garcia Freire, featuring a spider illustration and an award sticker.

Victor Meadowcroft

"I already had a fairly clear idea of the career path I wanted to take when I arrived at UEA, but the MALT programme provided me with the tools and networking opportunities I needed to reach many of my immediate and long-term goals.

As well as helping me gain confidence in my own abilities as a translator through case studies and workshops, the course introduced me to established professionals in the field, like Rosalind Harvey, whose presentation on the importance of translators “putting themselves out there” has stuck with me to this day and still informs my approach to networking. The course also offered practical advice on things like how to write a strong reader’s report, an activity which now provides me with a modest but steady stream of income to supplement my translation work."

Some of our graduates’ work in print

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Find out more about fees, modules, course structure and the application process on the University of East Anglia (UEA) website

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