Translation with Business Interpreting (Chinese)

Entry requirements

You should have a bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically 2:1 or above.

To apply for this course, you should normally have mother tongue competence in Chinese or English. Applicants whose mother tongue is not any of these languages may be eligible on a case by case basis.

Please note you must meet the English language requirements before applying to this programme.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in an English speaking country you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Equip yourself to work as a proficient Chinese-English translator and business interpreter on this master's course.

Our MA Translation with Business Interpreting (Chinese) is a highly competitive master's, ideal for those with an interest and aptitude for translation or business interpreting.

You may already be working as a translator and interpreter in mainland China, Taiwan, the UK or elsewhere, or looking to establish yourself with the specialist skills needed to excel in this profession.

The focus of the course is on written translation from English to Chinese and Chinese to English, as well as business interpreting between English and Chinese. In particular, you'll develop translation and interpreting skills suited to working in business and tailored to market needs in mainland China, Taiwan, the UK and other regions.

The course is highly practical, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to hone and develop your skills. You will:

• gain extensive experience in translating a wide range of texts, from general business communications to specialist and technical materials
• take part in weekly simulated 'real life' business liaison scenarios to enhance your interpreting and negotiation capabilities
• gain practical experience of translation management software
• develop sought-after and important business skills such as editing and proofreading
• gain useful insights into marketing yourself as a freelance translator and interpreter

Learning and teaching

Our teaching is highly regarded. You will be taught by experienced tutors who have worked as professional translators and/or interpreters; many have interpreted for heads of state and government ministers, and work for global organisations such as the EU and UN. As such, they can share a wealth of experience with you, and provide useful connections to help with potential job opportunities and internships.

We also regularly arrange visits from representatives of the language services of international organisations, government departments and commercial enterprises, to give you insights into their working practices.

Training Opportunities

Through our extensive network of contacts we try to organise some internal or external training for students. This may involve practical translation, editing or proofreading experience for students with the language services of international organisations, at the university or in the freelance market. These opportunities provide an invaluable insight into the work of professional linguists and are highly valued by employers. However, they are not compulsory or guaranteed.

Graduate prospects

The MA Translation with Business Interpreting is a highly vocational course that will equip you with a variety of transferable skills, including interpersonal, communication and organisational skills. Our graduates have used these skills to access a variety of professions, including interpreting, translation, editing, teaching, accounting and further study.

Our graduates have gone on to work for the following organisations:

• Net-a-Porter (Product Editorial Team), London
• Bank of China, Beijing
• DS Avocats Law Firm, Beijing
• SPD Silicon Valley Bank, Shanghai
• RIFA Global Entertainment, China
• Ernst & Young, Bristol & London
• Menicon (Trilingual Coordinator)

We also have an extremely active alumni network and tight-knit community that shares career advice. This enables us to help with short-term interpreting and translation opportunities supported by recent graduates.

Associations and resources

By studying this course, you will be able to access a number of tools and online resources to support your learning. These include:

• Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) - CIOL representatives will host a presentation (either on-campus or online) giving tips on how to start your career as a linguist, updates on CIOL activities and membership options. You will also get free access to The Linguist, CIOL’s publication
• Conférence Internationale Permanente d'Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes (CIUTI) - This course is recognised by CIUTI for its quality and relevance. You will have access to the latest developments in the interpreting and translation professions
• Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) - Acess to the only UK-based independent professional membership association for practising translators, interpreters and all those involved in supplying language services
• National Network for Interpreting (NNI) - Use of educational resources available on the NNI website
• National Network for Translation (NNT) - Access to national and regional events, and other related activities

Fees and funding

View available funding opportunities.