Master's Programme of Fine Arts in Literary Translation

The programme aims to educate highly qualified literary translators. The programme’s continuous and reflective discussions of fundamental literary questions, based on pre-read translations from various literary genres and traditions, aim to deepen and develop the students’ ability to closely read, understand, and translate literary texts.

Discussions of works in progress also prepare students for editorial roles, for example at newspapers, journals, or publishing houses. Furthermore, the programme aims to familiarise and introduce students to the translator’s professional landscape and its various demands, as well as to the translator’s potential to act as an independent agent within the literary field.

The programme prepares the student for research by offering the opportunity, through the degree project, to practise identifying, formulating, and discussing emerging needs for knowledge, and to seek new artistic and theoretical experience within the field of literary translation.

A Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits or equivalent. In addition, an approved portfolio is required.

Degree of Master of Fine Arts (60 credits) in Literary Translation

(Konstnärlig magisterexamen i litterär översättning).

The programme takes its starting point in the students’ own ongoing literary translation projects, which are developed through the submission of newly translated texts and discussion in small groups based on source or target language (translation seminars), as well as some individual tutoring. Joint translation seminars are also conducted across language groups. The reading and presentation of course literature is also included.

The course literature consists of the students’ own translated texts, texts by other translators, other literary texts, and theoretical texts. The knowledge and skills required to act as a professional literary translator in today’s translation market are also conveyed through guest lectures and seminars. The programme further arranges public lectures and readings.

The programme provides artistic research competence within the field of literary translation, primarily through the degree project, which synthesises the knowledge, insights and evaluative abilities acquired during the course of study. This work takes the form of an essay or article, preferably with the aim of publication in the literary public sphere.

The studies are divided into the following required courses, common to all specialisations within the programme:

Year 1

Introduction to Literary Translation, 7,5 credits

Literary Translation 1, 22,5 credits

Year 2

Literary Translation 2, 15 credits

Exam Work in Literary Translation: Translation Talks and The Public, 15 credits

General outcomes for Degree of Master in Fine Arts (60 credits)

According to Higher Education Ordinance (see SFS 1993:100, System of Qualifications, Annex 2):

For a Degree of Master of Fine Arts (60 credits) the student shall

Knowledge and Understanding

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both an overview of the field and specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work,
• demonstrate specialised or broadened knowledge and experience of methods and processes in the field,

Competence and Skills

• demonstrate the ability to describe, analyse and interpret design, techniques and content autonomously as well as to reflect critically on their artistic approach in the main field of study,
• demonstrate the ability to create and execute their own ideas with their own personal expression, to identify, formulate and solve artistic and creative problems autonomously and also to plan and undertake advanced artistic tasks using appropriate methods within predetermined time frames,
• demonstrate the ability to clearly present and discuss their works and artistic issues in speech, writing or in other ways and in dialogue with different audiences, 
• demonstrate the competence and knowledge required to work autonomously in a professional capacity,

Judgement and approach

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant artistic, social and ethical issues,
• demonstrate insight into the role of art in society,
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for their ongoing learning.

Independent Project (Degree project)

A requirement for the award of a Degree of Master of Fine Arts (60 credits) is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 15 credits in the main field of study.

Local outcomes

For a Degree of Master of Fine Arts in Literary Translation, the student shall, in addition to the national qualification requirements:

• demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of the various forms of literary dialogue: textual discussion, translation dialogue, critique, and other modes of mediating translated literary texts
• demonstrate the ability to contextualise and position their own translational practice in relation to contemporary literature, written in or translated into Swedish,
• demonstrate the ability to develop and apply artistic approaches in their own translational practice, grounded in critical reflection on language, aesthetics, and artistic positions within a contemporary public sphere.

This programme syllabus (GU 2025/1243) applies to students admitted to the programme in the Autumn semester 2026 or later.

The programme is delivered as distance education with a limited number of mandatory on-site meetings each term, primarily held on campus in Gothenburg. On occasion, meetings may be scheduled at other locations.

Students are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation costs in connection with mandatory meetings held on campus in Gothenburg or, where applicable, at other locations.

The language of instruction is Swedish. Other Scandinavian languages and relevant source languages may also be used as working languages in the context of translation work.

The programme is subject to follow-up and evaluation in accordance with the current Policy for Quality Assurance and Enhancement of Education at the University of Gothenburg.

A student who follows the programme at the normal pace is guaranteed admission to the programme courses. Guaranteed admission at University of Gothenburg consists of two kinds, it can be general or limited.