Interpreting and Translating

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Languages offered:

* Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish

Pathways

Students may follow one of two possible paths:

* Path 1: allows students with English as their A language to offer two other languages - from Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish - working only into English.
* Path 2: allows students to work in both directions between Chinese/English or Russian/English.

This programme is designed to prepare linguists for careers as professional interpreters and/or translators. It has done this most successfully over more than four decades, and graduates are to be found working in language services throughout the world.

All students follow a core programme involving professional translation and simultaneous, consecutive and public service interpreting or liaison/public service interpreting. A number of options are available in the second semester to allow students to further focus on their translation or interpreting skills.

The MA is awarded for a 15,000-word dissertation/project submitted after successful completion of the taught programme.

Why study with us?
* Team of highly experienced professional staff
* State of the art digital interpreting suites provide excellent teaching and practice space.
* Small class sizes provide high levels of student and teacher contact.
* Work placements in interpreting and translating are often an option during the programme and provide invaluable practical experience.
* Motivated and multi-national student cohort offers a diverse and stimulating learning environment.
* Students are exposed to realistic training from experienced translation and interpreting trainers which prepares them for work after graduation.
* The University and city of Bath offer ample exposure for non-native students to the English language and culture of the UK.
* Programme is held in high esteem by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). A number of funding opportunities are available, including studentships from the Arts & Humanities Research Council.

Careers
The MA Interpreting & Translating is a highly vocational programme with a worldwide reputation for training professional translators and conference interpreters.

Our graduates have excellent employment prospects. While some have found rewarding jobs in smaller companies and institutions, or chosen to remain as a freelancer, many have gone on to pursue stimulating careers as professional translators and interpreters with major international organisations.

Graduates have worked for the following organisations:

Institutional markets

* United Nations (Geneva, Vienna and New York)
* European Commission (Brussels and Luxembourg)
* European Parliament (Brussels and Luxembourg)
* Council of Europe (Strasbourg)
* International Court of Justice (The Hague)
* NATO (Brussels)
* Foreign and Commonwealth Office (London)
* European Bank (Frankfurt)
* BBC World Service (London)

Private markets

* Microsoft
* Talk Finance
* Sophos
* Prudential
* Power Network
* Gazprom

European Stream (French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish)

* Consecutive interpreting (all year core unit)
* Simultaneous interpreting (all year core unit)
* Public speaking (Semester 1 option)
* Professional translation I (Semester 1 core unit)
* Professional translation II (Semester 2 core unit)
* Public service interpreting (Semester 2 option)
* Using technology in the T & I Industry (Semester 2 option)
* Dissertation: 15,000 word thesis: annotated translation or a project type

Chinese Stream

* Consecutive interpreting (all year core unit)
* Simultaneous interpreting (all year core unit)
* Liaison/Public service interpreting (all year core unit)
* Public speaking (Semester 1 option)
* Professional translation I (Semester 1 core unit)
* Professional translation II (Semester 2 option)
* Using technology in the T & I Industry (Semester 2 option)
* Dissertation: 15,000 word thesis: annotated translation or a project type

Learning and teaching
Our programmes are modular, consisting of self-contained units, taught and assessed on a semester basis. As you progress through each semester and successfully pass the examinations, you will receive credit for the units, thus providing you with a clear indication of your academic progress.

Teaching takes the form of lectures and intensive translation and interpreting. Lectures are quite formal, whereas classes involve closer interaction between the lecturer and a small number of students for intensive training in the Translating & Interpreting discipline with plenty of time for informative discussion.

We also use the software MemoQ for the delivery of the unit, Using Technology in the Translation & Interpreting Industry; this is one of the leading tools in the industry.

Methods of assessment
Assessment consists of a combination of class assignments and examination.

Academic requirements * First or 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate subject, from a recognised university. * Applicants for Path 1 need to offer English as their A language and demonstrate degree-level competence in two foreign languages (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish). * Applicants for Path 2 with Chinese or Russian as their A language need to demonstrate a degree or equivalent qualification in English. Applicants whose A language is English should demonstrate degree level attainment or similar in either Chinese or Russian.English Language requirements (for Path 1 applicants only)Candidates with English as their first language are considered if they have completed primary and secondary education in an English-speaking country (other criteria may be applied on a case by case basis, such as bi-lingual ability).Contact the Admissions Officer if you have any questions about your native/main/home/first language.English Language requirements (for Path 2 applicants only)Certificates must be dated to within two years of the start of the programme of study. * Academic IELTS 7.5 (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four components) * TOEFL iBT 110 (with not less than 24 in each of the four bands) English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7.5 TOEFL iBT® test: 110 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.