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IGNOU MA Translation Studies (MATS) 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission

Updated 14 October 2026 Fact-checked by Mehak Jain, M.Com student, IGNOU Courses & Fees 8 min read
Detail MA Translation Studies (MATS)
Programme code MATS
School School of Translation Studies & Training (SOTST)
Eligibility Graduate in any discipline with adequate knowledge of Hindi and English.
Medium Hindi & English
Duration 2 years minimum, 4 years maximum
Programme fee (July 2026) Rs. 7,500/- per year
Full-course programme fee Rs. 15,000 (Rs. 7,500 x 2 years)
Total credits 80
Admission cycles January & July

IGNOU MA Translation Studies (MATS): what the programme covers

The IGNOU MA Translation Studies (MATS) programme is a Master of Arts degree, not a certificate course. It is designed to familiarise learners with translation theory and practice. The programme has a total of 80 credits, split evenly with 40 credits in the first year and 40 credits in the second year. This structure provides opportunities for translators to develop skills for academic and translation roles.

The first year of the IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme covers foundational aspects of translation. It includes ten courses, each worth 4 credits. These courses cover areas such as अनुवाद हसद्धांत (Theories of Translation) (MTT 010), अनुवाद: इहतिास और परम्परा (Translation: History and Tradition) (MTT 011), and अनुवाद एवं भारतीय भािाएँ (Translation and Indian Languages) (MTT 014). The second year includes अनुवाद प्रहक्रया (Translation Process) (MTT 020) and अनुवाद प्रहर्क्षण (Translation Training) (MTT 021), both 4-credit courses. It also features two 8-credit courses: समकालीन भारतीय साहित्य का अंग्रेजी अनुवाद (Contemporary Indian Literature in English Translation) (MEG 14) and तुलनात्मक साहित्य (Comparative Literature) (MEG 15). A significant component of the second year is पररयोजना कायश (मौम्ब्रखकी सहित) (Project Work with Viva-voce) (MTTP 22), which carries 16 credits.

IGNOU MA Translation Studies (MATS) eligibility: who can apply

To apply for the IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme, a candidate must hold a graduate degree in any discipline. Adequate knowledge of both Hindi and English is also required. The programme is offered in both Hindi and English mediums.

IGNOU’s School of Translation Studies & Training (SOTST) administers the Master of Arts (Translation Studies) (MATS) programme. This eligibility criterion means that a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Commerce degree is acceptable, provided the language proficiency is met. The university does not publish specific cut-off marks for the qualifying degree.

Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.

IGNOU MA Translation Studies (MATS) fees 2026: programme fee and other charges

The IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme fee is Rs. 7,500 per year, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus. For the minimum two-year duration, the total programme fee is Rs. 15,000. This amount does not include additional charges such as registration, development, or examination fees.

A non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 is paid at admission, along with a University Development fee of Rs. 400. These are plus the first year’s programme fee. Learners apply fully online via the IGNOU Admission Samarth portal for the July 2026 session. Payment methods include net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.

IGNOU offers a 15% discount on the programme fee for learners who choose soft copies of study material instead of printed books.

MA Translation Studies (MATS) fees, July 2026 session

Charge Amount
Programme fee (July 2026) Rs. 7,500/- per year
Full-course programme fee Rs. 15,000 (Rs. 7,500 x 2 years)
Registration fee (once, non-refundable) Rs. 300
University Development fee (once) Rs. 400
Term-end exam fee Rs. 200 per theory course

Paying IGNOU fees: IGNOU fee structure for every programme.

IGNOU MA Translation Studies (MATS) duration and credits

The IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme has a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum duration of 4 years. The total credits for the programme are 80. The first year requires 40 credits, and the second year also requires 40 credits.

IGNOU MA Translation Studies (MATS) syllabus: semester-wise courses

The IGNOU MA Translation Studies (MATS) programme has a total of 80 credits, divided equally across two years. Each year requires 40 credits. The School of Translation Studies & Training (SOTST) designs the curriculum to integrate learning with research in translation practices.

The first year of the IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme includes ten compulsory courses, each carrying 4 credits. These courses cover foundational aspects of translation. For example, MTT 010, “Theories of Translation,” covers ancient and modern Western theories, alongside Indian translation theories. MTT 011, “Translation: History and Tradition,” explores Asian and Western traditions of translation, including the translation of Buddhist texts into Chinese and Eastern languages.

Other first-year courses include MTT 012, “Translation and Linguistics,” which examines semantics, linguistics, and translation, and MTT 013, “Areas of Translation,” which covers legal translation and the translation of administrative and parliamentary literature. MTT 014 focuses on “Translation and Indian Languages,” while MTT 015 addresses “Translation and Literature.” The first year also includes MTT 016, “Translation and Mass Communication,” and MTT 017, “Lexicography, Technical Terminology and Translation.” The final two courses are MTT 018, “Translation and Inter Cultural Studies,” and MTT 019, “Politics of Translation.”

The second year of the IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme also accounts for 40 credits. It includes two core translation courses: MTT 020, “Translation Process” (4 credits), and MTT 021, “Translation Training” (4 credits). MTT 021 covers the Copyright Act and translation rights, along with professional ethics. In addition, students complete two courses from the English programme: MEG 14, “Contemporary Indian Literature in English Translation” (8 credits), and MEG 15, “Comparative Literature” (8 credits). The second year culminates in MTTP 22, “Project Work with Viva-voce,” which carries 16 credits and is a significant component of the programme.

MA Translation Studies (MATS) structure at a glance

Semester / group Courses Credits
1st year 10 courses 40
2nd year 5 courses 40

MA Translation Studies (MATS) 1st year

Course code Course title Credits
MTT 010 अनुवाद हसद्धांत (Theories of Translation) 4
MTT 011 अनुवाद: इहतिास और परम्परा (Translation: History and Tradition) 4
MTT 012 अनुवाद और भािा हवज्ञान (Translation and Linguistics) 4
MTT 013 अनुवाद के क्षेत्र (Areas of Translation) 4
MTT 014 अनुवाद एवं भारतीय भािाएँ (Translation and Indian Languages) 4
MTT 015 अनुवाद और साहित्य (Translation and Literature) 4
MTT 016 अनुवाद और जनसंचार (Translation and Mass Communication) 4
MTT 017 कोर्हवज्ञान, पाररभाहिक र्ब्दावली और अनुवाद (Lexicography, Technical Terminology and Translation) 4
MTT 018 अनुवाद एवं अंतरसांस्कृहतक अध्ययन (Translation and Inter Cultural Studies) 4
MTT 019 अनुवाद की राजनीहत (Politics of Translation) 4

MA Translation Studies (MATS) 2nd year

Course code Course title Credits
MTT 020 अनुवाद प्रहक्रया (Translation Process) 4
MTT 021 अनुवाद प्रहर्क्षण (Translation Training) 4
MEG 14 समकालीन भारतीय साहित्य का अंग्रेजी अनुवाद (Contemporary Indian Literature in English Translation) 8
MEG 15 तुलनात्मक साहित्य (Comparative Literature) 8
MTTP 22 पररयोजना कायश (मौम्ब्रखकी सहित) (Project Work with Viva-voce) 16

Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.

IGNOU MA Translation Studies (MATS) admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal

IGNOU conducts admissions twice a year, in January and July cycles.

To apply for the IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme in the July 2026 cycle, applicants must use the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. The application process is fully online; no printed form needs to be sent to a Regional Centre.

Applicants should prepare the following documents before starting the application:
* A colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB, in JPEG format.
* A soft copy of the relevant educational qualification, under 200 KB, in JPEG or PDF format.
* A soft copy of the category certificate if applying as SC/ST/OBC, under 200 KB.
* Applicants are also told to keep their APAAR ID ready.

In addition, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are paid. Payment modes feature net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.

IGNOU MA Translation Studies (MATS) exams and assignments

Assignments are compulsory for the IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme. Learners must write assignment responses before taking the Term-End Examination (July 2026). Tutor Marked Assignments go to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre (July 2026). Assignments for the current session are available for download on the University website (July 2026). A failed assignment requires re-submission; a passed assignment cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.

Term-end examinations for the IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme occur twice a year, in June and December (July 2026). These examinations are held at centres across the country and abroad (July 2026). There are two daily exam sessions: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM (December 2026 TEE). Learners may write the exam in Hindi even if registered in English medium, except for language programmes (December 2026 TEE).

The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course (December 2026 TEE). For project and practical exams, the fee is Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for above 4 credits (from January 2023 admission cycle). Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post (July 2026). The University provides numerical marks and division (I, II or Pass) for master’s degrees upon request (July 2026). A copy of an answer script costs Rs. 100 per course (January 2026). Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible for re-evaluation. Students who fall short of 2% marks for a 2nd or 1st division have one opportunity to improve their division (January 2026). Early declaration of results costs Rs. 1000 per course for Indian students, requiring proof of selection for a post or further studies (January 2026).

Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.

Notices and Documents from IGNOU

Common IGNOU Questions

What is the total fee for the IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme?

The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration of the IGNOU MA Translation Studies is Rs. 15,000, based on the July 2026 prospectus. This amount does not include the registration fee, university development fee, or examination fees.

What is the annual fee for the IGNOU MA Translation Studies?

The annual programme fee for the IGNOU MA Translation Studies is Rs. 7,500 per year, according to the July 2026 prospectus.

What are the eligibility criteria for the IGNOU MA Translation Studies?

To be eligible for the IGNOU MA Translation Studies, a candidate must hold a graduate degree in any discipline. Adequate knowledge of both Hindi and English is also required for admission.

How many credits are in the IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme?

The IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme has a total of 80 credits. The first year comprises 40 credits, and the second year also accounts for 40 credits.

Which courses in the IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme involve a project?

The second year of the IGNOU MA Translation Studies programme includes a significant project component. MTTP 22, titled 'पररयोजना कायश (मौम्ब्रखकी सहित) (Project Work with Viva-voce)', carries 16 credits.

Which year of the IGNOU MA Translation Studies has the heaviest workload?

This project, MTTP 22, is a substantial component of the second year's 40 total credits.

Are any courses in the IGNOU MA Translation Studies shared with other programmes? What is the minimum and maximum duration to complete the IGNOU MA Translation Studies?

The minimum duration to complete the IGNOU MA Translation Studies is 2 years. Learners have a maximum of 4 years to complete all programme requirements.

Where can I find the study blocks for the IGNOU MA Translation Studies courses?

The study blocks for courses like MTT 010 'अनुवाद हसद्धांत' and MTT 011 'अनुवाद: इहतिास और परम्परा' are available on eGyanKosh. This digital repository contains self-learning material for over 3923 courses.

Can I get a discount on the programme fee if I choose digital study material?

Yes, learners who opt for soft copies of the study material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. This option is available during admission for the July 2026 cycle.