MA Business Interpreting in Chinese and English

This programme is designed for native speakers of Chinese (Mandarin) with English as a second language. A BA degree equivalent to a minimum of a UK 2.2 honours honours degree in English or another relevant subject is required. In exceptional cases alternative qualifications and professional experience may be considered. As non-native speakers of English, applicants will also normally be required to have IELTS 7.0 or above (or equivalent), with a minimum of 6.0 in all components, or have a first degree in English that has been taught and assessed in English. 

A subsequent condition for all applicants meeting these requirements is the successful completion of an interpreting aptitude test and a pre-Masters preparatory course.

English language requirements

IELTS minimum overall: 7.0

IELTS minimum by component: 6.0

All fees are subject to increase or review for subsequent academic years. Please note that not all visa routes permit part-time study and overseas students entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa will not be permitted to study on a part-time basis.

Modules (including optional modules)

• Pre-master’s compulsory short course in English (ten weeks)
• Consecutive Interpreting Chinese<>English
• Simultaneous Interpreting Chinese<>English
• Interpreting Studies
• Economics/Business Translation English–Chinese
• Public Service Interpreting Trends and Issues

Compulsory Modules

Pre-master’s short course (preparatory course)

The first stage of the programme is a ten-week pre-master’s course focusing on the development of five sets of skills: interpreter skills (including self-discipline, organisation skills, working to tight deadlines and professional conduct); high-level professional English skills and knowledge relating to British/Anglophone culture; research skills for interpreters; presentation and public-speaking skills; effective teamwork and interpersonal communication. Following successful completion of this course, you will progress to the Postgraduate Diploma and MA stage of the programme.

Further information about this preparation course is available on the School of English and Languages pages.

Consecutive Interpreting Chinese<>English

The first part of the module (Semester 1) focuses on core skills such as the use of notes, delivery and projecting the speaker. The second part (Semester 2) will focus on applying the training you have received to practical tasks, including simulated assignments.

Simultaneous Interpreting Chinese<>English

The first part of the module (Semester 1) focuses on the key skills of a Chinese simultaneous interpreter: research, preparation, sight interpreting, specialist bilingual skills and multitasking. The second part (Semester 2) provides extensive simultaneous interpreting practice, using the interpreting lab and integrating simulations of interpreting practice.

Interpreting Studies

This module provides a systematic framework for understanding the major principles and challenges of interpreting, the role of the interpreter and the nature of comprehension, decision-making and production processes involved in interpreting. It enables you to apply this framework to practical interpreting tasks.

Economics/Business Translation English–Chinese

This module provides students who have no previous experience of specialist translation in economics/business with the opportunity to reach an acceptable professional level of translation competence, and contributes to improving your language and interpreting proficiency. It combines regular translation practice in smaller groups with basic research skills for translation/interpreting and lectures on the underlying principles of economics and applied economics.

Dissertation

This module allows you to specialise in an aspect of the programme of particular interest to you by writing a topic-based dissertation or doing a commentary based on an interpreting assignment. Successful completion of the module requires close collaboration with a supervisor, as well as good planning and organisation skills.

Optional Modules

In addition to the compulsory modules, you will be able to select optional modules according to your specific interests. You may, for example, extend your specialist interpreting expertise into the area of public service interpreting (PSI) or complement your interpreting skills with specialist translation skills.

Students may join the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) or the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL) as student members.