Career AdviceCould anyone give me some advice regarding translation qualifications? Thread poster: Esther Cocks
|
|---|
Esther Cocks 
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:34
German to English
Career Advice
Could anyone give me some advice regarding translation qualifications?
My name is Esther Cocks, I am 29 years old, British and have been living in Munich, Germany for almost 10 years. I studied Equestrianism when I was 16 years old and have successfully worked for 3 Olypmic Team riders.
Three years ago I decided that although I love the sport, it isn't a career that you would find yourself doing in your later years of life and should seriously think... See more Career Advice
Could anyone give me some advice regarding translation qualifications?
My name is Esther Cocks, I am 29 years old, British and have been living in Munich, Germany for almost 10 years. I studied Equestrianism when I was 16 years old and have successfully worked for 3 Olypmic Team riders.
Three years ago I decided that although I love the sport, it isn't a career that you would find yourself doing in your later years of life and should seriously think about something new. Having travelled extensively from competition to competition each weekend, I decided languages should be the next step forward.
With a view to move back to the UK I started studying a BA Honours Degree in Modern Languages with the Open University (German, Spanish and English). Athough the course fees are higher when a non-UK resident (e.g 370 GBP UK fee is then 805 GBP for a non-UK resident), I was planning to move back.
Now, I have been informed that even though I will be resident in the UK (London) as from January 2006, I will have to continue paying double for the next 3 years! (one course fee is 890 GBP and will cost me 1560 GBP - the complete cost of the Degree being almost 8500 GBP).
I had planned to complete this degree and then attend a full-time Masters Degree in Technical translations to become qualified translator (would technical translating be more in demand?).
I would like to work full-time and study part-time in order to pay for my Masters.
Is there a cheaper way? Will it really take me 5 years part-time to obtain a BA Language degree and 1 year full-time Masters?
I have thought about Birkbeck University (London) and the Imperial College (London).
Any career advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Esther
[Subject edited by staff or moderator 2005-06-06 19:03] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Languageman
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:34
German to English
+ ...
You need to be consistent in the way you present yourself to be believable, I would say. In your post you state "Three years ago I decided that although I love the sport, it isn't a career that you would find yourself doing in your later years of life and should seriously think about something new.", wheras your profile states "Esther has lived in Munich since 1996 working as a freelance translator" and makes no mention of equestrianism. Don´t forget that potential clients are likely to "stalk"... See more You need to be consistent in the way you present yourself to be believable, I would say. In your post you state "Three years ago I decided that although I love the sport, it isn't a career that you would find yourself doing in your later years of life and should seriously think about something new.", wheras your profile states "Esther has lived in Munich since 1996 working as a freelance translator" and makes no mention of equestrianism. Don´t forget that potential clients are likely to "stalk" your web presence on this site and others. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mary Lalevee
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:34
French to English
I know there is a requirement for university involving having lived here for three years previously, otherwise you are considered an overseas student.
I don't know any way round that.
Good luck anyway!
| | | | | I don't know about undergraduate but... | Jun 6, 2005 |
I am Italian and still living in Italy: I'm planning to move to London next fall and I'm applying myself for the MSc in Scienfic Translation @ Imperial College.
What I have been told is that I am considered just as a UK student, since I live and are a citizen of a EU contry. So the fees will be lower then the ones for overseas students.
You've been living in Germany, so I guess there is no problem about that...
Good luck for your undergraduate studies, though!... See more I am Italian and still living in Italy: I'm planning to move to London next fall and I'm applying myself for the MSc in Scienfic Translation @ Imperial College.
What I have been told is that I am considered just as a UK student, since I live and are a citizen of a EU contry. So the fees will be lower then the ones for overseas students.
You've been living in Germany, so I guess there is no problem about that...
Good luck for your undergraduate studies, though!
P.s. there is always the possibility of applying for foundings, but get all the information well in advance...I was too late for that! ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
Jeremy Smith
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:34
Member (2003)
French to English
+ ...
Hi,
Judging solely by your name, I presume you're a UK national with a British passport. If so, why are they saying you should pay rates for people studying from other countries? Seems odd to me, unless you've since taken German citizenship.
Do you already have a first degree? If so, then there's no reason why you can't start translating professionally right now. I only had a first degree (plus, I suppose, some years in the industry) before I started out as a freelance.
| | | | RobinB
United States
Local time: 09:34
German to English
| Think about the IoL Diploma | Jun 6, 2005 |
Esther,
Perhaps you should consider the IoL Diploma. Although it's pitched at postgrad level, a lot of people (myself included) think it's much better than many of the "shake 'n bake" postgrad MA translation courses now on offer in the UK. To give just one example, there's a prominent UK MA translation course that requires just 2 hours' translating per week from your first foreign language - not surprisingly, they have a high pass rate, but the degree is no evidence whatsoever of an... See more Esther,
Perhaps you should consider the IoL Diploma. Although it's pitched at postgrad level, a lot of people (myself included) think it's much better than many of the "shake 'n bake" postgrad MA translation courses now on offer in the UK. To give just one example, there's a prominent UK MA translation course that requires just 2 hours' translating per week from your first foreign language - not surprisingly, they have a high pass rate, but the degree is no evidence whatsoever of any ability to translate.
You don't necessarily need a degree to take the IoL Diploma exams, and the IoL will advise you on whether you're suitably qualified and/or experienced to take the exam.
Details at:
http://www.iol.org.uk/qualifications/exams_diptrans.asp
Various institutions also offer prep courses for the IoL Diploma (details on the IoL Diploma website).
The thing about non-UK students paying more is pretty standard nowadays. It has nothing to do with nationality, the sole criterion is residence. For example, if you're a British citizen but you didn't live in the UK for at least 2 years (for "non-educational purposes") before you start a degree course at a UK university, you're treated as a foreign student (EU student if you've lived in the EU); one of the consequences is that you're not then eligible for a loan or top-up grant. For the OU, I think the status when you start the course is what counts. ▲ Collapse
| | | | elzosim
Local time: 17:34
English to Greek
+ ...
| Check it more carefully | Jun 6, 2005 |
[quote]Cristina Mazzucchelli wrote:
What I have been told is that I am considered just as a UK student, since I live and are a citizen of a EU contry. So the fees will be lower then the ones for overseas students.
You've been living in Germany, so I guess there is no problem about that...
quote]
The same applies to me too, a European citizen but not a UK resident applying to courses offered by universities in the UK.
Lower -than those paid by overseas students- fees apply to my case too.
I think you should check this out.
Eleftheria
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Career AdviceCould anyone give me some advice regarding translation qualifications? | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
| | Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users!
Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
