Skip to main content

Enhanced Subtitling online CPD course

As a subtitler, have you ever thought, “My audience will not understand this… and I don’t have space in the subtitles to do anything about it?” Or, as a content creator, have you wondered, “Why are subtitles so dull?” If so, this course is perfect for you. Research indicates that current subtitling methods often fall short, affecting viewers’ understanding and engagement. Digital technology offers greater flexibility in what we can do with subtitles, so why stick to the same old techniques that AI engines can increasingly handle? If you agree that existing subtitling methods are insufficient and want to develop a more innovative, high-quality approach that surpasses AI capabilities, this course is for you.

You will learn fundamental audiovisual design principles and how visual and auditory elements combine to create meaning. You will explore why these matter for subtitling and how to reimagine subtitles to integrate more with visual composition, effectively conveying speech, tone, and visual cues. All training materials are research-based, using many case studies and friendly video tutorials to give you hands-on practice as you progress through the course.

Enrol on the course

Who is the course for?

The course has been purposefully designed for:

  • Subtitlers and audiovisual translators seeking to enhance their portfolios with new subtitling practice
  • Students and professionals looking for a practical entry into advanced media localisation or to develop new subtitling skills that give them an edge in an AI-saturated industry.
  • Content owners and producers seeking high-quality subtitling that will more effectively make their product accessible to foreign audiences.
  • Those who understand that subtitling is a profoundly creative activity.

What will these skills allow you to do?

This course’s content and resources will allow you to:

  • Offer an additional service as a professional subtitler and better distinguish your services from AI-produced subtitling
  • Argue more effectively for human-driven subtitling with clients on the basis of the latest research

Approach content creators directly and more confidently to secure jobs and argue for the impact of high-quality subtitling in the commercial success of their product.

What previous knowledge do you need?

This course is primarily designed for subtitling professionals and students who want to expand their practice and offer new services to their clients. If you aim to apply Enhanced Subtitling guidelines, it will be easier if you already have hands-on subtitling experience, and are comfortable with professional subtitling guidelines and at least one subtitling tool. The course covers both theoretical principles and practical techniques using free software - no prior academic knowledge in translation or subtitling studies is necessary, and no preparatory reading is required before you begin.

If you don’t have any subtitling practice, you will still be able to complete the course, but you should learn subtitling timing rules and how to fully use a subtitling tool before you offer Enhanced Subtitling services.

This course is also language-agnostic, meaning it is relevant regardless of the language pair you work with.

Who is teaching this course?

Your tutor is Dr Sara Ramos Pinto, an associate professor in translation studies at the University of Leeds with years of academic and professional experience. Sara pioneers innovative solutions for translating films and other audiovisual products, making subtitles more meaningful and enjoyable for audiences everywhere.

Her work explores how subtitles shape viewers’ experience, focusing on the impact of traditional subtitling practices and the potential of innovative practices to make stories clearer and more engaging. She collaborates with film professionals across the industry, always seeking new ways to bring stories to life through subtitles. Sara’s Enhanced Subtitling approach, developed in collaboration with the film director Fernando Vendrell, goes beyond just translating dialogue – it developed strategies to translate meaning expressed visually and aurally, and it integrates subtitles seamlessly with the film’s visuals and mood, enhancing the overall experience.

Join Sara’s online course to discover the latest innovative practices in subtitling and learn practical techniques to make your own subtitles stand out.