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Translator: Entry requirements

Translation agencies and companies vary in terms of the support they provide for new staff. The opportunity to specialise in one area of translation, such as legal, technical or literary, may be offered. Occasionally, there are also opportunities to train in more foreign languages.

The Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) offers short courses and workshops aimed at developing the business, linguistic and technical skills of translators and many translators become members of the ITI. There are several levels of membership but becoming a qualified member is a mark of professional recognition. For this level of membership, you usually need:

a minimum of three to five years' full-time experience (or a correspondingly longer period part-time);
a successful assessment of work or a pass in the ITI Membership Examination.

Membership of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (IoL) may also be helpful and can provide professional recognition as well as the opportunity to network at events, seminars and conferences.

Experienced translators may choose to work towards The IoL Diploma in Translation (DipTrans), which is equivalent to a postgraduate-level qualification and can be taken over five years. See the IoL website for details of courses and examinations

For more information see work experience and find courses and research.

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