MA Translation and Interpreting  MA Translation and Interpreting University of Westminster ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1534160506University of Westminster.jpg

The Translation and Interpreting MA is open to native and non-native speakers of English, who combine English with any of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Polish, or Spanish. The course will provide you with extensive professional training aimed at the translation and interpreting markets, building on your existing language skills to develop a career in those sectors.

The course involves translation as well as conference and public service interpreting between one main language (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Polish, or Spanish) and English. You will learn how to research specialised subjects for professional translation and interpreting purposes and hone your translation and interpreting skills by extensive practice, applying insights drawn from linguistics and translation and interpreting theory as well as from professional practice. You will also engage with a comprehensive programme of professional development activities and will further complement the knowledge and skills acquired on the core modules by choosing either Translation as Cultural Practice or International Liaison as an option module. At the end of the course, you will submit an MA Interpreting Project, an MA Translation Project, or an MA Thesis.

You will be able to benefit from our wide range of resources, including an extensive collection of volumes and electronic materials in our library, a state-of-the-art language lab and extensive conference interpreting facilities, and additional resources made available through the University's Virtual Learning Environment. Our teaching staff includes full and part-time lecturers, all with expertise in translation and interpreting and in other specialist fields. You will be allocated a personal tutor and be given academic guidance by the course team.

The course emphasis is on practical training in translation and interpreting, developing your skills to a high level and learning about the professional environments. Your core Specialised Translation modules will involve both direct and inverse translation training between English and Chinese, French, German, Italian, Polish or Spanish. The majority of your translation assessments, including the final translation exam, will, however, be conducted into your mother tongue only. All students will translate institutional texts (such as economic, political, legal and EU/UN texts) and technical material, and acquire a wide range of additional skills, including career building and professional development skills, through the remaining core and option modules.

You will also study conference and public service interpreting, into and out of English, in your core Interpreting modules, and acquire a range of additional skills, including career building and professional development skills, through the remaining core and option modules.

You will complete a research-based MA Thesis or an MA Translation or Interpreting Project. Your studies are further supported by regular student-led interpreting practice sessions and mock conferences, weekly lectures on the theoretical concepts and principles of translation and interpreting, introductory workshops to a range of translation memory tools, guest lectures and workshops delivered by external speakers from industry and international institutions, and the opportunity to take part in a post-graduation mentoring programme.

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Linguists without a degree but with sufficient experience in translation and/or interpreting will also be considered. All applicants take an entry test consisting of written and oral components. If you are successful in the entry tests, we will interview you in person or on the telephone to determine if the Translation and Interpreting MA is right for you. The course is open to native speakers of Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and Spanish. You will need fluent written and spoken English and, if English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with 7.0 in speaking and 6.0 in all other elements. Most successful applicants will have met the IELTS requirement when they submit their application as excellent English language skills are fundamentally important. It is vital that all applicants who do not have English as their first language provide clear details on their application form of the English language qualifications they have achieved and/or the date when they will be taking their IELTS test.

If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.5 with 7.0 in speaking.

Applicants are required to submit one academic or professional reference.