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PL52127: Enterprise skills for linguists

[Page last updated: 16 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWES 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Business plan part 1: my business (CWES 25%)
  • Business plan part 2: marketing plan (CWES 25%)
  • Business plan part 3: resources plan (CWES 25%)
  • Business plan part 4: financials (CWES 25%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to demonstrate:
  • that you have identified one or more language services and one or more compatible specialisms to offer, based on your own interests and the needs of the market
  • that you understand the myriad ways in which freelancers can market their services and can choose methods well-suited to your chosen service(s) and specialism(s)
  • that you are able to plan how you will invest appropriately in yourself and in other resources, with a view to growing and sustaining your business
  • that you can, on the basis of your personal and business expenses, set rates that will provide you with an income sufficient to sustain you



Synopsis: Develop the skills and knowledge required to set up a business selling language services, such as translation, editing and/or interpreting. You'll learn how to: - decide which language services and specialisms to offer - market your services - determine the resources you'll need - set your rates - manage your time The skills you develop will enable you to set up a freelance business as soon as you have finished your studies, should you choose to do so.

Content: The unit begins with a session outlining initial steps that new freelancers need to take. You will then consider which specific language services you plan to offer and which specialisms might be suitable for you to work on developing. In view of their importance, you will look in depth at a wide variety of marketing techniques employed by freelance linguists. You will consider how to invest time and money in continuous professional development, and what other resources you will need to buy for your business. The unit includes a thorough examination of how freelancers should set their rates. Lastly, you will examine how to manage your time when working for yourself. All classes will comprise a mix of lecture, discussion and in-class exercises. Taken together, the four coursework assignments will comprise a business plan for setting up your freelance business.

Course availability:

PL52127 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Italian

PL52127 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and German
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and Italian
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and Russian
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - German and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Italian and German
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Italian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian 
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and German
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and Italian
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Italian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Russian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - German and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Italian and German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Italian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and Italian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Spanish

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.