Interpreting and Translation

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold at least 2:2 degree in related subject.

Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits in the light of the nature and scope of the programme and if they have experience.

A bilingual interview may be necessary as part of the application.

A detailed admissions procedure will be forwarded on application.

IELTS: Score of at least 6.5 with 6.0 in writing or equivalent.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Have you always wanted to be an interpreter? Interested in business and conference interpreting? Maybe you’re looking for the next step in your languages career? Our MA Interpreting and Translation course could be exactly what you’re looking for.

This course will prepare you for an exciting and rewarding career in the language services industry. It’s taught by high-level, experienced interpreters who are professionally active.

On this practical and varied course, we use a range of techniques to provide you with a learning experience which is both stimulating and professionally realistic (including our renowned multilingual mock conferences). Interpreter training takes place in one of our two conference interpreting suites; you’ll benefit from using two different simultaneous interpreting systems which are both commonly used at international conferences.

In the translation modules, you’ll learn the fundamentals of theory and practice alongside the use of the latest tools and technologies. So you’ll be ready to move straight into an interpreting career when you graduate.

• This course is enhanced by our longstanding links with the relevant professional bodies and language services providers both in the UK and abroad.
• With 20+ hours of teaching per week (much more than many similar courses offered nationally), you’ll benefit from an intensive learning experience which equips you for seamless transition into the interpreting profession.
• You’ll be taught by staff with extensive experience as professional interpreters. They draw on their experiences of interpreting and translating for international organisations, crime prevention agencies and large multinational companies.

• You have the option of studying either the Interpreting stream or the Translation stream. We currently offer these languages: Arabic, Chinese and German with the Interpreting option; or French Korean, Japanese and Spanish with the Translation option.
• You’ll receive training in the use of Memsource Cloud – a complete translation platform which includes translation memory, integrated machine and human translation, and terminology management.

You’ll be immersed in an active and stimulating learning environment. Two dedicated interpreting suites and a translation IT suite provide you with the facilities and equipment you need in order to learn effectively.

You’ll study nine modules. These cover areas such as conference interpreting, advanced business interpreting, specialised translation, business skills, and It for interpreters/translators. Once the taught part of the course is completed, you’ll undertake either a dissertation or an extended translation project.

You’ll be trained using a variety of teaching techniques which include practical seminars, workshops, mock conferences and lectures. Assessments include coursework, practical tests, project reports, examinations and a dissertation. The assessment modes and criteria we use are closely linked to the learning outcomes of each module.

One highlight of the course (Interpreting stream) is our weekly ‘mock conference’, and our students enjoy this module enormously. During the mock conferences, you’ll be exposed to a wide variety of current topics as we simulate the real-world scenarios in which professional translators work every day.

Another highlight is our advanced business interpreting module in which you’ll practise bilateral interpreting in simulated business settings which are based on real assignments undertaken by various members of teaching staff.

You’ll graduate with a well-rounded and comprehensive training which will prepare you as fully and realistically as possible for a successful career as an interpreter and/or translator.

We have strong links with the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL) and other professional bodies.

We currently offer the following languages:

Interpreting stream:  Arabic, Chinese, German

Translation stream:  French, Korean, Japanese and Spanish