Prospective Students
Master of Philosophy (Full-time/Part-time)

A. Admission Requirements

 
In addition to the general qualifications required for admission to the Graduate School, applicants should have obtained a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university, or an equivalent professional qualification. Applicants are required to submit a 5-page research proposal on or before the application deadline and attend an interview.
 
All applicants must also fulfil the 'English Language Proficiency Requirement' as stipulated by the Graduate School before being considered for admission. Please refer to the website of the Graduate School for details.
 

B. Study Scheme

 
I. Applicable to students admitted in 2018-19 and thereafter
 
1. Coursework Requirement
 
For Full-time Students:
Students are required to complete a minimum of 24 units of courses for graduation.
 
(a) Required courses:  
 
First Year of Attendance: 3 Units
TRAN6001  
 
First to Second Year of Attendance:  
TRAN8100 (to be taken each term until graduation) 12 Units
TRAN6910, 6920 6 Units
 
(b) Elective courses:  
 
Any one courses to be chosen from the following: 3 units
TRAN6101, 6102, 6103, 6104, 6106, 6107, 6108, 6109, 6110, 6111, 6112, 6113, 6114, 6115, 6116, 6117, 6119, 6205, 6206, 6207, 6208, 6305, 6306, 6307, 6308, 6601, 6811, 6821, 6823  
 
Total: 24 units
 
For Part-time Students:
Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 units of courses for graduation.
 
(a) Required courses:  
 
First Year of Attendance: 3 Units
TRAN6001  
 
First to Second Year of Attendance: 6 Units
TRAN6910, 6920  
 
First to Third Year of Attendance: 18 Units
TRAN8100 (to be taken each term until graduation)  
 
(b) Elective courses:  
 
Any one courses to be chosen from the following: 3 units
TRAN6101, 6102, 6103, 6104, 6106, 6107, 6108, 6109, 6110, 6111, 6112, 6113, 6114, 6115, 6116, 6117, 6119, 6205, 6206, 6207, 6208, 6305, 6306, 6307, 6308, 6601, 6811, 6821, 6823  
 
Total: 30 units
 
2. Other Requirements
 
(a) Students must fulfill the Term Assessment Requirement of the Graduate School. For details, please refer to Section 13.0 “Unsatisfactory Performance and Discontinuation of Studies” of the General Regulations Governing Postgraduate Studies which can be accessed from the Graduate School Homepage: https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/.
 
(b) A student must achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in order to fulfill the graduation requirement, unless special approval is granted by the Graduate Council.
 
(c) Students are required to submit a research thesis and pass an oral examination for graduation.
 
(d) Complete an Improving Postgraduate Learning (IPL) module on “Observing Intellectual Property and Copyright Law during Research”. This is an online module and relevant information can be accessed from the website: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/clear/prodev/ipl.html.
 
(e) Students are required to complete an online Research Ethics Training (RET) module on “Publication Ethics” offered by the Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services (ORKTS) and obtain a valid Publication Ethics Certificate for graduation. Relevant information can be accessed from the RET website at https://www.research-ethics.cuhk.edu.hk/web/.
 

II. Applicable to students admitted in 2017-18
 
1. Coursework Requirement
 
For Full-time Students:
Students are required to complete a minimum of 24 units of courses for graduation.
 
(a) Required courses:  
 
First Year of Attendance: 3 Units
TRAN6001  
 
First to Second Year of Attendance:  
TRAN8100 (to be taken each term until graduation) 12 Units
TRAN6910, 6920 6 Units
 
(b) Elective courses:  
 
Any one courses to be chosen from the following: 3 units
TRAN6101, 6102, 6103, 6104, 6106, 6107, 6108, 6109, 6110, 6111, 6112, 6113, 6114, 6115, 6116, 6117, 6119, 6204, 6205, 6206, 6207, 6208, 6305, 6306, 6307, 6308, 6601, 6602, 6811, 6821, 6822, 6823  
 
Total: 24 units
 
For Part-time Students:
Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 units of courses for graduation.
 
(a) Required courses:  
 
First Year of Attendance: 3 Units
TRAN6001  
 
First to Second Year of Attendance: 6 Units
TRAN6910, 6920  
 
First to Third Year of Attendance: 18 Units
TRAN8100 (to be taken each term until graduation)  
 
(b) Elective courses:  
 
Any one courses to be chosen from the following: 3 units
TRAN6101, 6102, 6103, 6104, 6106, 6107, 6108, 6109, 6110, 6111, 6112, 6113, 6114, 6115, 6116, 6117, 6119, 6204, 6205, 6206, 6207, 6208, 6305, 6306, 6307, 6308, 6601, 6602, 6811, 6821, 6822, 6823  
 
Total: 30 units
 
2. Other Requirements
 
(a) Students must fulfill the Term Assessment Requirement of the Graduate School. For details, please refer to Section 13.0 “Unsatisfactory Performance and Discontinuation of Studies” of the General Regulations Governing Postgraduate Studies which can be accessed from the Graduate School Homepage: https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/.
 
(b) A student must achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in order to fulfill the graduation requirement, unless special approval is granted by the Graduate Council.
 
(c) Students are required to submit a research thesis and pass an oral examination for graduation.
 
(d) Complete an Improving Postgraduate Learning (IPL) module on “Observing Intellectual Property and Copyright Law during Research”. This is an online module and relevant information can be accessed from the website: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/clear/prodev/ipl.html.
 
(e) Students are required to complete an online Research Ethics Training (RET) module on “Publication Ethics” offered by the Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services (ORKTS) and obtain a valid Publication Ethics Certificate for graduation. Relevant information can be accessed from the RET website at https://www.research-ethics.cuhk.edu.hk/web/.
 

C. Course List

 
Code Course Title Units Remarks Outline
TRAN6001 Advanced Translation Studies 3 Required  
TRAN6101 Advanced Business Translation 3 Elective  
TRAN6102 Financial Translation 3 Elective  
TRAN6103 Translation of Legal Writings 3 Elective  
TRAN6104 Government and Public Affairs Translation 3 Elective  
TRAN6106 Translation of Public Relations Writings 3 Elective  
TRAN6107 Mass Media Translation 3 Elective  
TRAN6108 Translation of Subtitles 3 Elective  
TRAN6109 Science and Technology Translation 3 Elective  
TRAN6110 Literary Translation 3 Elective  
TRAN6111 Arts Translation 3 Elective  
TRAN6112 Readings in Translated Works 3 Elective  
TRAN6113 History of Translation 3 Elective  
TRAN6114 Translation Criticism 3 Elective  
TRAN6115 Translation Process and Methodology 3 Elective  
TRAN6116 Comparative Language Studies 3 Elective  
TRAN6117 Bilingual Editing Skills 3 Elective  
TRAN6119 Special Topics 3 Elective  
TRAN6205 Consecutive Interpreting I: C/E 3 Elective  
TRAN6206 Consecutive Interpreting II: C/E 3 Elective  
TRAN6207 Simultaneous Interpreting I: C/E 3 Elective  
TRAN6208 Simultaneous Interpreting II: C/E 3 Elective  
TRAN6305 Consecutive Interpreting I: P/E 3 Elective  
TRAN6306 Consecutive Interpreting II: P/E 3 Elective  
TRAN6307 Simultaneous Interpreting I: P/E 3 Elective  
TRAN6308 Simultaneous Interpreting II: P/E 3 Elective  
TRAN6601 Introduction to Computer-aided Translation 3 Elective  
TRAN6811 Bilingual Lexicography 3 Elective  
TRAN6821 Computer Translation 3 Elective  
TRAN6823 Terminology Management 3 Elective  
TRAN6910 Research Seminar in Translation I 3 Required  
TRAN6920 Research Seminar in Translation II 3 Required  
TRAN8100 Thesis Supervision 3 Required  
 

D. Tuition Fee (2020-21)

 
Full-time: HK$42,100 per year
Part-time: HK$42,100 per year
 

E. Postgraduate Studentships & Grants (Applicable to full-time students)

 
- HK$18,025/month (in 2020-21)
- Conference/Travel Grants
TRAN6001: Advanced Translation Studies

This course offers a comprehensive survey of major translation theories, such as the linguistic, functional, communicative, cultural-literary and philosophical translation theories. The focus will be on the history, approaches and main theses of each theory. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a theoretical and methodological base for evaluating and studying translation.

TRAN6101: Advanced Business Translation

This course is to examine with students the practical issues involved in advanced business translation. Students will have an opportunity to learn in depth and share among themselves translation procedures, strategies, and methods through individual and group assignments. Emphasis will be placed on the realistic approaches to rendering commercially acceptable translation and the development of students’ mindset as a language solution provider in the business world.

TRAN6102: Financial Translation

The course prepares students to translate banking and finance-related documents. Topics include stock market operations, prospectuses, annual reports, shareholders' AGM notices and meeting minutes, international banking operations, investment and funds, loan and credit, and insurance.

TRAN6103: Translation of Legal Writings

This course aims at laying the foundations for, and introducing students to the practice of, translation of legal writings. This course also helps students to develop their abilities of analysis and logical thinking.

TRAN6104: Government and Public Affairs Translation

This course familiarizes students with the principles and approaches to translation in the area of government and public affairs (GPA). A variety of texts drawn from Hong Kong government and public sector organizations are used to illustrate common issues in translating GPA documents. Focus will be put on the steps in quality control, which include textual analysis, research, editing and proof-reading.

TRAN6105: Journalistic Translation

This course introduces to students the principles of and various approaches to journalistic translations. An extensive variety of texts from Hong Kong and Mainland China are used to illustrate common problems and difficulties encountered in translating journalistic texts.

TRAN6106: Translation of Public Relations Writings

The course aims to equip students with the principles and techniques of translating public relations texts, including news release, backgrounders, social responsibility reports, advertising copy, direct mails, web sites writings, media mix, newsletters, magazines and feature writings.

TRAN6107: Mass Media Translation

This course gives students intensive training in translating a wide variety of print and non-print media texts selected from newspapers, magazines, film, radio, and television. Special attention will be given to news coverage, editorials, features, profiles, press releases, advertisements, and film scripts.

TRAN6108: Translation of Subtitles

The course teaches the skills required in translating film and television subtitles. Emphasis is placed on the particularities of these text types and their translation. Students are expected to adopt the receptor-oriented and market-based approaches and study the limitations imposed by the different media and their special requirements.

TRAN6109: Science and Technology Translation

This course aims at training students to translate science and technological writings. Topics include medicine, energy, environmental protection, and computer application.

TRAN6110: Literary Translation

This course introduces students to the basic practice and fundamental theories of literary translation through the study of selected source-language and target-language texts in different genres.

TRAN6111: Arts Translation

This course aims at enhancing students' skills in translating arts texts by familiarizing them with translations especially in the field of visual arts that range from traditional genres such as painting, calligraphy and sculpture to more contemporary ones like videos, installations and so on.

TRAN6112: Readings in Translated Works

This course comprises critical studies of Chinese translations of English writings and English translations of Chinese writings, covering chiefly literary classics of various genres and from different periods. The approach is cultural as well as linguistic, and the aim is not only to introduce the skills and the art of translating, but also to help students appreciate the stylistic treatments and philosophic attitudes involved. Apart from presenting a written paper, students are also expected to actively take part in the oral commentary and analysis of selected works.

TRAN6113: History of Translation

This course is an introduction to the history of translation in China and foreign countries. The focus is on the translation between Chinese and English. Topics include major historical events that have influenced translation activities, the most prominent translator, and the historical relevance and impact of the translated texts.

TRAN6114: Translation Criticism

This course aims to familiarize students with translated texts of various genres and to help them compare and appreciate them critically. It is hoped that students will finish the course with new insights into the different possibilities of translating a variety of texts.

TRAN6115: Translation Process and Methodology

The course introduces the translation process and methodology, explaining bilingual decoding and encoding process, concept transfer, and the translator’s bilingual competence in relation to translation. The aim is to provide translation-related principles for the translation practice of the students.

TRAN6116: Comparative Language Studies

This course introduces linguistic differences and similarities between English and Chinese, including contrasts in lexicon, grammar and syntax. It helps students understand the distinctive characteristics of Chinese and English, which are essential to solving translation problems.

TRAN6117: Bilingual Editing Skills

This course aims at training students in the techniques of editing Chinese, English and translation texts, copywriting and electronic publishing.

TRAN6118: Computer Applications in Translation

This course teaches computer applications in translation, such as bilingual word-processing, the use of electronic dictionaries and references, and the use of translation software for translation between Chinese and English and other language pairs.

TRAN6119: Special Topics

This course aims at offering a variety of special topics on different aspects of translation studies.

Subject to the approval of the Division Head, students are allowed to take the above course more than once and gain the units each time they pass the course. However, students cannot take courses with the same course code more than once in a single term.

TRAN6201: Principles of Interpreting: C/E

This course aims at training students in the techniques of interpreting. The emphasis of the course is on consecutive interpretation; other modes of interpretation are also introduced. Classes are conducted in the multimedia classroom to give students practical experiences in interpretation. Techniques of note-taking, paraphrasing, memory strengthening etc. are taught and practised.

TRAN6202: Consecutive Interpreting: C/E

The course trains students to perform consecutive interpreting between Cantonese and English. It aims at developing students’ skills and abilities to perform different kinds of interpreting assignments in a real life situation. A high level of proficiency in both Cantonese and English is expected of the students.

TRAN6203: Simultaneous interpreting: C/E

This course aims to provide students with intensive and rigorous training in bi-directional English-Chinese simultaneous interpreting with a view to enabling them to perform the task in a variety of situations, such as international conferences, business negotiations, technology exchanges, academic forums and so on.

TRAN6204: Conference Interpreting

This course aims at providing intensive training in conference interpreting. Students are trained to handle both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting in various kinds of conference environments.

TRAN6205: Consecutive Interpreting I: C/E
The course teaches consecutive interpreting at the introductory level. Students will gain general conceptual knowledge about the process and practice of consecutive interpreting. They will be trained in the basic skills of consecutive interpreting, including voice and speech skills, active listening, memory, re-presentation of messages, short consecutive interpreting without notes, note-taking and short interpreting with notes. Students will also be guided to develop deliberate practice habits, including reflection, goal-setting, peer-feedback and journaling.

The language combination of the course is Cantonese and English. Classes are conducted in the multimedia classroom.

(Not for students who have taken *TRAN6202 Consecutive Interpreting: C/E or *TRAN6302 Consecutive Interpreting: P/E or TRAN6305 Consecutive Interpreting I: P/E)

* Applicable to students admitted in 2016-17 or before.

TRAN6206: Consecutive Interpreting II: C/E

The course teaches consecutive interpreting at the advanced level. Building on the conceptual and practical knowledge they will have gained in CI (I), students will continue to build up their knowledge about the latest interpreting research to inform their skill acquisition. They will continue to enhance the skills of consecutive interpreting, with a focus on long CI in simulated real-life interpreting context. Students will also be introduced to interpreting in various settings, and develop an understanding of the social and ethical demands on their performance in those settings. Mock conferences and study trips will be organized, as appropriate, to enhance skill and professional development.

The language combination of the course is Cantonese and English. Classes are conducted in the multimedia classroom.

(Pre-requisite: *TRAN6201 Principles of Interpreting: C/E, *TRAN6301 Principles of Interpreting: P/E, *TRAN6202 Consecutive Interpreting: C/E or *TRAN6302 Consecutive Interpreting: P/E or TRAN6205 Consecutive Interpreting I: C/E or TRAN 6305 Consecutive Interpreting I: P/E or Division’s consent; Not for students who have taken TRAN6306)

* Applicable to students admitted in 2016-17 or before.

TRAN6207: Simultaneous Interpreting I: C/E

This course teaches simultaneous interpreting at the introductory level. Students will be introduced to the practice and process of simultaneous interpreting. Sight translation will be learnt both as a skill and a transitional activity to simultaneous interpreting. Students will train in the basic skills of simultaneous interpreting, including dual-audio processing, chunking, the linear approach to text processing and anticipation. They will learn the methods of glossary preparation and research for interpreting assignments. They will also be introduced to the SI technical equipment, familiarize themselves with its operations and learn and practice booth etiquette.

The language combination of the course is Cantonese and English. Classes are conducted in the simultaneous interpreting laboratory.

(Not for students who have taken *TRAN6203 Simultaneous Interpreting: C/E or *TRAN6303 Simultaneous Interpreting: P/E or TRAN6307)

* Applicable to students admitted in 2016-17 or before.

TRAN6208: Simultaneous Interpreting II: C/E

This course teaches simultaneous interpreting at the advanced level. Students will build on skills acquired at the introductory level and work on more challenging speech types in various subject domains. They will build up their knowledge and language proficiency in major domains, including political, economic, social, environmental affaires, among others. They will also be exposed to real-life working conditions to enhance their resilience. SI with text will also be introduced and trained as a regularly used form of interpreting in the professional practice. Mock conferences and study trips will be organized, as appropriate, to enhance skill and professional development.

The language combination of the course is Cantonese and English. Classes are conducted in the simultaneous interpreting laboratory.

(Pre-requisite: *TRAN6203 Simultaneous Interpreting: C/E or *TRAN6303 Simultaneous Interpreting: P/E or TRAN6207 Simultaneous Interpreting I: C/E or TRAN6307 Simultaneous I: P/E or Division’s consent; Not for students who have taken TRAN6308)

* Applicable to students admitted in 2016-17 or before.

TRAN6301: Principles of Interpreting: P/E
  • Provide an overview of the theories of interpreting;
  • Introduce basic skills and techniques of consecutive interpreting between Putonghua and English (P/E); and
  • Various P/E interpreting exercises for practice.
TRAN6302: Consecutive Interpreting: P/E

The course provides intensive training for students to perform consecutive interpreting between Putonghua and English. It aims at developing students’ skills and abilities to perform different kinds of interpreting assignments in real life situation. High proficiency in Putonghua and English is expected.

TRAN6303: Simultaneous interpreting: P/E

This course introduces students to basic theories of simultaneous interpreting (SI) and provides them with intensive training in bidirectional Putonghua and English SI. It aims at enhancing students' listening, information processing and production skills with a view to enabling them to perform the task of SI in international conferences, business negotiations and other interpreting settings.

TRAN6305: Consecutive Interpreting I: P/E

The course teaches consecutive interpreting at the introductory level. Students will gain general conceptual knowledge about the process and practice of consecutive interpreting. They will be trained in the basic skills of consecutive interpreting, including voice and speech skills, active listening, memory, re-presentation of messages, short consecutive interpreting without notes, note-taking and short interpreting with notes. Students will also be guided to develop deliberate practice habits, including reflection, goal-setting, peer-feedback and journaling.

The language combination of the course is Putonghua and English. Classes are conducted in the multimedia classroom.

(Not for students who have taken *TRAN6202 Consecutive Interpreting: C/E or *TRAN6302 Consecutive Interpreting: P/E or TRAN6205)

* Applicable to students admitted in 2016-17 or before.

TRAN6306: Consecutive Interpreting II: P/E

The course teaches consecutive interpreting at the advanced level. Building on the conceptual and practical knowledge they will have gained in CI (I), students will continue to build up their knowledge about the latest interpreting research to inform their skill acquisition. They will continue to enhance the skills of consecutive interpreting, with a focus on long CI in simulated real-life interpreting context. Students will also be introduced to interpreting in various settings, and develop an understanding of the social and ethical demands on their performance in those settings. Mock conferences and study trips will be organized, as appropriate, to enhance skill and professional development.

The language combination of the course is Putonghua and English. Classes are conducted in the multimedia classroom.

(Pre-requisite: *TRAN6201 Principles of Interpreting: C/E, *TRAN6301 Principles of Interpreting: P/E, *TRAN6202 Consecutive Interpreting: C/E or *TRAN6302 Consecutive Interpreting: P/E or TRAN6205 Consecutive Interpreting I: C/E or TRAN 6305 Consecutive Interpreting I: P/E or Division’s consent; Not for students who have taken TRAN6206)

* Applicable to students admitted in 2016-17 or before.

TRAN6307: Simultaneous Interpreting I: P/E

This course teaches simultaneous interpreting at the introductory level. Students will be introduced to the practice and process of simultaneous interpreting. Sight translation will be learnt both as a skill and a transitional activity to simultaneous interpreting. Students will train in the basic skills of simultaneous interpreting, including dual-audio processing, chunking, the linear approach to text processing and anticipation. They will learn the methods of glossary preparation and research for interpreting assignments. They will also be introduced to the SI technical equipment, familiarize themselves with its operations and learnt and practice booth etiquette.

The language combination of the course is Putonghua and English. Classes are conducted in the simultaneous interpreting laboratory.

(Not for students who have taken *TRAN6203 Simultaneous Interpreting: C/E, *TRAN6303 Simultaneous Interpreting: P/E or TRAN6207)

* Applicable to students admitted in 2016-17 or before.

TRAN6308: Simultaneous Interpreting II: P/E

This course teaches simultaneous interpreting at the advanced level. Students will build on skills acquired at the introductory level and work on more challenging speech types in various subject domains. They will build up their knowledge and language proficiency in major domains, including political, economic, social, environmental affaires, among others. They will also be exposed to real-life working conditions to enhance their resilience. SI with text will also be introduced and trained as a regularly used form of interpreting in the professional practice. Mock conferences and study trips will be organized, as appropriate, to enhance skill and professional development.

The language combination of the course is Putonghua and English. Classes are conducted in the simultaneous interpreting laboratory.

(Pre-requisite: *TRAN6203 Simultaneous Interpreting: C/E, *TRAN6303 Simultaneous Interpreting: P/E, TRAN6207 Simultaneous Interpreting I: C/E or TRAN6307 Simultaneous I: P/E or Division’s consent; Not for students who have taken TRAN6208)

* Applicable to students admitted in 2016-17 or before.

TRAN6601: Introduction to Computer-aided Translation

This course introduces the use of translation technology in translation practice.

TRAN6602: Editing Skills for Computer Translation

This course introduces the concepts and skills essential to the editing of the source and target texts before, during and after computer translation so as to optimize efficiency and translation quality.

TRAN6811: Bilingual Lexicography

As dictionaries are one of the most important tools in the field of translation, the course aims to provide students with an overview of the history, types and content of these essential reference works. We hope to help students select and use dictionaries in their translation-related work, and even compile their own dictionaries to meet their own needs.

TRAN6821: Computer Translation

Computer translation (or machine translation) is the application of computers to the translation of texts from one natural language into another. This course aims at introducing different computer knowledge or techniques involved in computer translation.

TRAN6822: Natural Language Processing

This course introduces major perspectives on how language is organized, reviews current efforts at harnessing the computer to process language, and some of the difficulties researchers have encountered as well as what future research must include.

TRAN6823: Terminology Management

This course is designed for students to understand the norms in terminology and their connections to translation and localization. The state-of-the-art terminology management tools are used in this course.

TRAN6910: Research Seminar in Translation I

This course provides a forum for research students in translation to develop and share research skills and findings in both theoretical as well as empirical dimensions. Students are required to give presentations on literature review, data analysis, theoretical frameworks, and methodology-related topics.

TRAN6920: Research Seminar in Translation II

This course provides a forum for research students in translation to develop and share research skills and findings in both theoretical as well as empirical dimensions. Students are required to give presentations on literature review, data analysis, theoretical frameworks, and methodology-related topics.

TRAN8100: Translation Thesis

In this course students will receive guidance from their supervisors on a regular basis in their preparation of thesis.