RTU is the main centre of teaching and research in the field of engineering science in Latvia, and the RTU Institute of Applied Linguistics has appropriate technical and methodological base, and experienced teaching staff for training technical translators with both office and research work skills. The teaching-staff of the RTU Institute of Applied Linguistics have accumulated significant experience in teaching scientific and technical language, relevant terminology, as well as in improvement of technical text translation methodology.
The Professional Bachelor Study programme “Technical Translation” provides training of technical translators in such fields as mechanical engineering, logistics, power engineering, material science, information technologies, telecommunications, civil engineering, architecture and town planning, engineering economics and other specialities.
The conception of the study programme differs from similar translation study programmes in the Humanities. It has an additional emphasis on applied linguistics and covers activities which concern specific practical applications. Not only linguists, but also specialists in corresponding fields of technology as well as in patent rights and law, participate in the implementation of the study programme.
The Professional Bachelor Study Programme “Technical Translation” has been developed on the basis of the Higher Professional Education Study Programme “Technical Translation” (programme code 42222, Certificate of Accreditation No 023-1201, valid from November, 2007 till December, 2013).
The Professional Bachelor Study Programme “Technical Translation” was accredited for 6 years by the Accreditation Commission of the Ministry of Education and Science on 19 November, 2008.
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Department
Faculty of Computer Science, Information Technology and Energy
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Programme type and level
Professional Bachelor (First Cycle) Studies
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Study field
Translation
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Language
English
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Study form
Full-time studies
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Venue
Riga
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Awarded degree and qualification
Professional Bachelor Degree in Technical Translation and the Qualification of Technical Translator - Desk Officer
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Required previous education
General Secondary Education or 4-year Vocational Secondary Education
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Price per year
€ 1 850 - EU countries
€ 3 040 - Non EU countries |
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Credit point/ECTS amount
160/240
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Duration of studies
Full-time studies - 4 years
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Intake
Autumn / Spring
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• To train and educate translators whose knowledge would meet the contemporary demands and who would be able to work in state and municipal institutions of Latvia, as well as in private structures of the national economy in Latvia and in other countries and, after acquiring additional qualification, in institutions of the EU;
• To maintain a study level that meets the international requirements and standards in training technical translators and ensures the graduates’ competitiveness on the labour market and good prospects for their future;
• To implement an open and flexible study process which would provide the mastering of the theoretical basis of the chosen scientific-technical field, its specific terminology, as well as contemporary translators' skills and the latest information technologies;
• To give the students professional qualification which would enable them to continue their academic or professional education both in Latvia and abroad, and develop their independence, etc.
• To give students the necessary theoretical knowledge as well as the practical skills required in order to perform high-level translating and interpreting;
• To improve students’ foreign languages competence and make them master the terminology of the relevant branch of science or technology in English/ German – Latvian/ Russian or other languages of their choice;
• To teach the art of preparing abstracts, theses, and summaries, to cultivate the skills of translating, interpreting and annotating both spoken and written texts in different situations, i.e., comprehend the communicative situation and context;
• To offer students a possibility to upgrade knowledge of the latest tendencies in translation by visiting lectures/seminars/workshops held by invited visiting professors;
• To develop students’ logical and critical thinking, enhance their creative and cognitive skills that might promote students’ further personal and professional growth;
• To perfect learning strategies and skills of independent work, to assess their performance critically;
• To give students a possibility to master the fundamentals of legislation and commerce in Latvia and the European Union, professional terminology and record management, presentation skills, the skills of chairing the meetings or other activities including the art of negotiating;
• To change the content of the programme and teaching methods in due time, thus reacting to the changes on the translation labour market and beyond it.
The value of the Professional Bachelor Study Programme “Technical Translation” is defined by a great demand for specialists of this profile on the labour market of Latvia. Translators are needed in translation bureaus, enterprises (joint ventures in particular), foreign projects in Latvia, state and municipal establishments and other institutions where knowledge of foreign languages, basics of engineering, creative approach to work, presentation and translation skills are necessary. All the above mentioned skills are integrated within the framework of the presented programme. Due to the Professional Bachelor Study Programme “Technical Translation”, professional teaching of foreign languages, synthesis of skills and abilities, and integration according to requirements of the European Union institutions and labour market are implemented.
Having completed Professional Bachelor Studies, one can continue the education in the Professional Master Programme “Technical Translation” or some other academic or professional Master programme.
To start professional Bachelor studies in the programme “Technical Translation” the applicant needs to have a general secondary education. When students are enrolled in the programme their grades at the centralized examinations in English/ German and Latvian are taken into consideration.
70 per cent of the results of the centralized examination in a foreign language (English / German) and 30 per cent of the results of the centralized examination in the official state language constitute the fin