Issues for Professional Masters: Bringing the Real World into the Classroom

How can taught Masters programmes prepare students for the reality of professional practice following their studies? What do employers want, and how can this be balanced with academic expectations? This contribution answers these questions in concrete terms, through a case study based on the introduction of ‘real-world’ team projects in one of the UK’s largest professional Masters in Applied Translation Studies. The projects were developed with the aim of making MA translation students more ready to join the profession. Initial project content, methodology and rationale are summarised. After a decade in operation, the approach was substantially reviewed before integration in a new core module for another popular UK Masters programme at a different institution. This refinement of the approach drew out some pitfalls and profits of bringing the real world into the translation classroom. The conclusion offers practical suggestions for academics teaching at Masters level in any discipline who wish to prepare their students for the realities of professional practice.