Translating and Interpreting MA
Translating and Interpreting MA
Full-time: minimum 12 months, maximum 24 months
Profile
The Translating and Interpreting MA covers both professional and academic training. You will acquire high-quality translating and interpreting skills, so you may enter the translating or interpreting profession in fields such as technology, commerce, international relations and journalism.
This course uses English and Chinese as working languages.
This course has two stages lasting one year each. You can either:
- join the course at Stage 1 and follow the two-year course
- or join at Stage 2 and follow the one-year course. This depends on your previous qualifications and experience.
If you join at Stage 1, you take compulsory modules that typically include:
- translating
- simultaneous interpreting
- consecutive interpreting
- sight translation exercise
- information technology for translators and interpreters
- translation studies
This is followed by another year of specialised study in Stage 2. If you meet the entry requirements, you can start the course at Stage 2.
In Stage 2 you can follow one of four pathways:
- Interpreting
- Translating and Interpreting (this pathway)
- Translating
- Translation Studies
In Stage 2 you take compulsory modules and optional modules. You also complete either a dissertation or a translating/interpreting project.
Depending on different focuses, you take further optional modules that cover:
- a sight translation exercise
- bi-lateral interpreting
- English-Chinese subtitle translation
- literary translation.
Assessment
Assessment is by:
- written examination (translation modules)
- practical assessments
- class/seminar presentations
- essays or assignments
- other submitted work (including a dissertation or project).
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Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Modules for 2019 entry
Module changes
Module changes
Modules change annually to take account of:
- changing staff expertise
- developments in the discipline
- the requirements of external bodies and partners
- student feedback.
Most module information for 2020 entry will be available from the end of May 2020.
Careers
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Work experience
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Find out about paid and unpaid work experience options and other ways you can add to your degree.
Fees & Funding
2019-2020 fees
The fees displayed here are per year.
MA
UK
Full time: £7,410 (year 1)
Full time: £7,410 (year 2)
EU
Full time: £7,410 (year 1)
Full time: £7,410 (year 2)
International
Full time: £17,370 (year 1)
Full time: £17,370 (year 2)
Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.
EU students starting at Newcastle in 2019 and 2020 will pay the UK (Home) tuition fee for the full duration of their course.
Entry Requirements
Stage 1 entry
- 2:1 honours degree
OR - a degree with a minimum average of 75% (or GPA 2.75) on your transcript.
We will also consider your application if you have lower or non-standard qualifications and at least two years' full-time experience as a translator or an interpreter.
If your first language is not English you need IELTS 7.0, with a minimum of 6.5 in speaking and writing and 6.0 in listening and reading. This qualification must be no more than two years old on starting the course. No other English language qualifications are accepted.
Pre-sessional English Language courses are not accepted as an alternative entry to this course.
Native English speaking applicants to have good degree-level knowledge of Chinese. When applying, include evidence to support your second language proficiency qualification. You may need to take part in an interview in Chinese.
If you meet the entry requirements for Stage 1, you will be registered on the Translating and Interpreting MA. If you complete this stage, you will take one of the suitable Stage 2 pathways. The choice of pathway is according to your academic results and your personal preferences.
If you leave the MA after successfully completing Stage 1, you will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Translating and Interpreting.
Stage two entry (advanced)
- 2:1 honours degree
OR - a degree with a minimum average of 80% (or GPA 3.0) on your transcript.
You must also have expert second-language knowledge.
If your first language is not English you need IELTS 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in all sub-sections. This qualification must be no more than two years old on starting the course. No other English language qualifications are accepted.
Pre-sessional English Language courses are not accepted as an alternative entry to this course.
Native English speaking applicants to have good degree-level knowledge of Chinese. When applying, include evidence to support your second language proficiency qualification. You may need to take part in an interview in Chinese.
If you leave the MA after successfully completing Stage 2, without proceeding to a dissertation or project, you will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Translating and Interpreting.
Find out the equivalent qualifications for your country.
Use the drop down above to find your country. If your country isn't listed please email: international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.
Read more about UK visas and immigration requirements.
How to Apply
You apply online, track your application and contact the admissions team via our applicant portal. Our step-by-step guide can help you on your way.
Application
You should select ‘MA in Translating and Interpreting (full time)’, course code 4040F, as your course choice in the Applicant Portal. Your pathway will be confirmed after your interview. There is one application deadline:
- 31 January 2020
You need to upload your IELTS certification onto the Applicant Portal before you can progress to interview. We suggest you submit your application and supporting documents as early as possible so that your interview can be arranged within the timescales. If you do not have an IELTS certificate with the required score at the time of applying you can submit your certificate later. But you must submit it before the interview request deadline.
2020 entry: IELTS certificates issued before 1 September 2018 or alternative language certificates will not be accepted.
Interview
Following your successful application you will receive a conditional offer. We will also ask you to arrange your interview. You can only do this if you have submitted the required IELTS certificate.
Interviews are compulsory and will be held during Spring 2020. You will be asked to provide:
- your name and application number
- IELTS sub-section and overall scores
- your intention to study the one-year or two-year course
- where you want to have your interview:
- Beijing
- Shanghai
- or Taiwan
There is one interview request deadline:
- 14 February 2020 for a Spring interview
Deposit
Within 10 days of successfully completing your interview you will need to pay a deposit of £1,500 to secure your place. This will be deducted from your tuition fees when you register.
What happens next?
If your application is successful, this is what happens next.
Stage 1 entry
You will receive a conditional offer for the two-year Translating and Interpreting MA. You will be invited to interview and required to meet all the conditions of your offer. Upon successful completion of Stage 1 you will progress to Stage 2 and choose one of the four degree pathways.
Stage 2 entry
You will receive a conditional offer for the two-year Translating and Interpreting MA. If your interview is successful and you meet all the offer conditions, you will transfer to a Stage 2 degree pathway.