MA Public Service Interpreting

Native English speakers: a minimum of a UK 2.2 honours degree, or equivalent, in the relevant language or another relevant subject. Speakers of other languages: an equivalent to a minimum of a UK 2.2 honours degree in English or another relevant subject. In exceptional cases, alternative qualifications and professional experience may be considered. Non-native speakers of English without a first degree in English that has been taught and assessed in English will also normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above (or equivalent), with a minimum of 6.0 in all components. A subsequent condition for all applicants meeting these requirements is the successful completion of an interpreting aptitude test.

English language requirements

IELTS minimum overall: 6.5

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)

• Applied Interpreting Skills
• Interpreting Studies
• Interpreting and Translating in Legal Settings
• Legal Settings and Institutions
• Public Service Interpreting Trends and Issues

Compulsory Modules

Applied Interpreting Skills (language pair-specific)

This module is concerned with spoken-language interpreting between English and your chosen language in business-related settings. It provides you with the practical knowledge and skills required to perform interpreting tasks professionally and effectively in a wide variety of relevant communicative situations.

Interpreting and Translating in Legal Settings (language pair-specific)

This module focuses on the practice of public service interpreting and translation between English and your chosen language. It helps you to learn what is required of a public service interpreter and enables you to interpret and translate competently and confidently in legal settings such as police stations, courts and immigration situations.

Legal Settings and Institutions

This module provides an introduction to the English legal system and covers in detail the structures and procedures of those legal institutions that are most relevant in a public service interpreting context. The module enables you to familiarise yourself with the major principles, underlying concepts and associated terminology of English law.

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.

Public Service Interpreting Trends and Issues

This module introduces you to the professional dimension of public service interpreting and to current trends in the interpreting landscape, including remote interpreting. In addition, it provides you with opportunities for observation and/or hands-on experience of interpreting in real-life situations and hands-on exploration of different forms of remote interpreting (via telephone and videoconference links).

Dissertation

This module allows you to specialise in an aspect of the programme of particular interest 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 and 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, study the role of language in different social settings, broaden your view on translation studies or extend your specialist interpreting or translation expertise (subject to language proficiency and demand). The Postgraduate Certificate, which is offered on a part-time basis, focuses on interpreting and translation in a PSI context and on legal settings and institutions.

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