Graduate Programs

The FLC started its master’s degree education program early. In 1979 it launched China’s first postgraduate program in Theory and Practice of Translation, then in 1986 was among the nation’s first two institutions that were authorized to confer MA degree in Translation Theory and Practice (the other being the Beijing Foreign Language Institute, the present Beijing Foreign Studies University). After more than three decades of development, the College’s postgraduate program has grown into a first-level-discipline master’s degree program in Foreign Language and Literature that oversees three second-level-discipline master programs in Foreign and Applied Linguistics, English Language and Literature, and Japanese Language and Literature as well as a professional Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTI) program. They cover a total of 9 research orientations.

Second-level-discipline Master’s Degree Program: Foreign and Applied Linguistics

Since its beginning in 1979, this program has graduated large numbers of MA students in translation theory and practice. In 1986 was among the nation’s first two institutions that were authorized to confer MA degree in Translation Theory and Practice (the other being the Beijing Foreign Language Institute, the present Beijing Foreign Studies University). In 1996, the program was named as “Foreign and Applied Linguistics; in 2005, it won the ranking of “excellent” for all the 9 index in the MA program appraisal in Shanghai. Right now, there are 5 professors, 16 associate professors in the program, among which 12 are Ph.D. holders. The supervisors of this program are known for achievements in their respective areas; they enjoy a good reputation in related research fields in China, and their research results have exerted significant impact in academic circles. In the 36-year-long history, among 500 plus postgraduates, outstanding alumni may include Han Zhonghua, Wang Dawei, Yang Xiaorong, Zhu Jianhui and Weng Fengxiang etc.

The orientations of the program are: E-C/C-E translation theory and practice, comparative studies between English and Chinese and translation, translation of shipping, economics and business documents. During the stages of both courses and thesis writing, students are required to engage in interpreting for international conferences, translating company documents, and participating in volunteer work that facilitates communications among nations, so as to effectively cultivate their abilities for translation and practical work.

The academic program values both theory and practice, and graduates may further their study in the doctoral program of the college.

Second-level-discipline Master’s Degree Program: English Language and Literature

This program, which was started since 2007, has three research orientations of Linguistics, English and American Literature, and American and British Culture. Many of its supervisors have made outstanding contributions in their specific research areas, producing a phenomenal influence in the country and winning praise from experts in the same research areas. During their studies, the MA students are required to write term papers for a number of courses as well as to carefully prepare an MA thesis. Through paper writing, they can gradually develop the ability of collecting and sorting data and the research ability of making reasoned explorations on a topic. Moreover, the MA students will participate in teaching practice, conference interpretation, document translation, and volunteer work that facilitates international exchanges in this municipality, with a view to rapidly and effectively improving their practical English competence and practical work ability as well as to laying a solid foundation for future teaching, research, and translation.

Professional Master’s Degree Program: Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTI)

The MTI program originated from the Theory and Practice of Translation program that began recruiting MA students as early as 1986. In 2011, the MTI program started its enrolment, aiming to train applied specialists in translation practice. Currently, the program offers one study orientation: English Translation, and three orientations: translation research and practice, translation of shipping, economics and business documents, comparative studies between English and Chinese and translation.

Most supervisors have had long experience in translation practice and outstanding scholarly publications, which are influential in the translation circle. The educational policy of this program is “giving priority to practice without neglecting theory”. With a view to effectively improving their practical translation competence and practical work ability, students will participate in document translation for translation companies and other enterprises, international conference interpretation, and volunteer work , including China Institute of Navigation, Shanghai International Shipping Institute, Shanghai Shipping Exchange, andChina Maritime Museum etc.

Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages