Interpreting and Conference Diplomacy MA

Overview

This interdisciplinary MA is the only Master’s in Interpreting and Conference Diplomacy delivered in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

UNITAR’s Division for Multilateral Diplomacy provides training in conference diplomacy and UN Career Development.

By combining Newcastle University’s academic excellence with UNITAR’s practical expertise, this course will provide you with advanced professional competencies in interpreting and cross-cultural communication in global and diplomatic settings.

This course is open to applicants with linguistic proficiency in both Chinese and English. Graduates from any discipline are welcome to apply.

Experience the UN in action

The course includes a 10-day immersive residential at the United Nations Office in Geneva.

As part of this experience you will:

• have the opportunity to observe first-hand the UN system
• gain unique insights into the dynamics of real-world diplomacy
• meet and engage with diplomats, interpreters, and international civil servants

Academic experts in interpreting studies and experienced UN professionals and practitioners deliver this MA Interpreting and Conference Diplomacy.

UNITAR conference room

UN Human Rights Council, Palace of Nations

United Nations Institute for Training and Research logo

Students in Newcastle University's Conference Interpreting Suite

Student using Newcaslte University facilities

Newcastle University's Conference Interpreting Suite

The Frederick Douglass Centre's 750 seater conference and lecture theatre

The Language Resource Centre at Newcastle University

The newly refurbished King's Gate. A space for all Newcastle University students

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

The MA Interpreting and Conference Diplomacy is designed around the following learning aims:

• Interpreting and diplomacy
  • develop advanced professional competencies in conference interpreting and diplomatic communication
  • gain an understanding of diplomacy and its role in international settings

• AI and the future of interpreting and diplomatic practice
  • expand your knowledge of AI tools and platforms used in international forums
  • understand their transformative impact on interpreting practice and diplomatic events

• Understanding international organisations
  • learn about the core components of the United Nations and its affiliated agencies
  • develop career management skills for careers in international organisations

Experiential learning 

The MA Interpreting and Conference Diplomacy places an emphasis on hands-on, practical learning to enhance your student experience and maximise your employability. You will:

• acquire the practical and technical competencies to perform as a fully-fledged interpreting professional using our state-of-the-art interpreting suites
• engage in intensive training in:
  
  • consecutive and simultaneous interpreting
  • managing multilingual communication in international diplomatic encounters
• develop a practical understanding of multilateral diplomacy and acquire key diplomatic skills by participating in Model United Nations simulations
• take part in student-led mock conferences which offer a unique learning opportunity in a simulated real-life environment
• combine case-study analysis and role-based simulations to develop:
  • practical and transferable persuasive communication skills
  • intercultural competencies
  • the ability to mediate international negotiations

Bridging theory and practice

Interactive lectures, webinars, and workshops support your practical experience. These provide you with a foundational understanding of key concepts and debates in interpreting and diplomatic theory. You will learn to use this knowledge to reflect critically on your practical interpreting experience.

You will also be trained in research methods and develop your own research project, opening up the path to doctoral study.

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.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Interpreting and Conference Diplomacy MA modules

You will take the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Advanced Simultaneous Interpreting	20
AI and Digital Tools in Interpreting Practice	20
Translation and Interpreting Studies	20
Research Methods & Dissertation/Project	60
Introduction to Diplomacy - Diplomatic Practice in the age of AI	20
Conference Diplomacy and Model United Nations	20
Consecutive Interpreting & International Negotiation	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

The MA Interpreting and Conference Diplomacy combines in-person learning on the Newcastle campus with online webinars delivered by UNITAR experts. The course also includes a compulsory 10-day practicum on the UN premises in Geneva. The practicum in Geneva takes place outside term time during Spring break.

In the summer, you will benefit from the support of a supervisor for your dissertation or interpreting project. 

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Computer assessment
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral examination
• Performance
• Portfolio
• Report
• Research proposal
• Written examination

Additional assessment information

The varied portfolio of assessments reflects the wide range of skills and knowledge acquired throughout the course. Performance in simulated real-life settings (interpreting performance, Model United Nations, negotiation simulation) is a key assessed component.

Student Support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Your development

On completing the programme, you will have:

• developed a deep understanding of international standards of diplomatic communication
• acquired the skills and expertise to perform as a fully-fledged interpreting professional for a global organisation
• developed the ability to apply advanced public speaking, negotiation, and teamwork skills in a diplomatic environment, and facilitate dialogue using mediation frameworks
• gained proficiency in using state-of-the-art interpreting technology, including AI tools and platforms used in international forums
• acquired knowledge of the current and potential applications of AI in international relations, and a critical understanding of the ethical considerations and governance of AI in diplomacy
• developed the ability to select appropriate academic research methodologies, and to design, evaluate and write up an academic research project

Your future

In addition to the academic and practical components of the course, you will have the opportunity to build a strong understanding of how to start a career within the UN system. The course enables you to:

• experience the UN work environment in Geneva first-hand
• benefit from networking opportunities with UN experts and staff members
• take part in tailor-made UN career development sessions  
• maximise your chances to secure an internship position in the UN

Careers advice and support 

The Careers Service provides tailored advice for international students. This includes the China Career Gateway, an exclusive career development programme for Chinese students studying at Newcastle University.

You will have access to expert advice and support throughout your studies and for up to three years after you graduate. Find out more about our Careers Service at the link below.

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

You will train in facilities which replicate professional settings. You will have access to digital platforms for interpreting training and practice.

Our state-of-the-art interpreting suites include a UN-standard conference interpreting suite. The £1.2m suite provides an opportunity for cross-facility learning through video link: it is linked to a lecture theatre on a remote site – the Frederick Douglass Centre on Newcastle Helix – and enables training in remote interpreting. The suite was inaugurated by Christina Edwards, Chief Interpreter at the United Nations Office in Vienna.

In addition to the Philip Robinson Library’s extensive resources in international relations and interpreting studies, you will have access to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) Library.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Residential trip to Geneva - fee information

The course fees are inclusive of the following costs for the Geneva-based Practicum:

•    Newcastle-Geneva return flights
•    Shared accommodation in Geneva for 13 nights

The Newcastle-Geneva return flights and accommodation in Geneva will be booked by the School of Modern Languages.

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

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Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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