Develop high-level interpreting and translation skills on this challenging degree, where you'll use state-of-the-art technology to gain the knowledge base and practical skills to succeed in the language services industry.
You'll gain essential skills in interpreting, analysis, active listening and note-taking, then build on this foundation by practising specialised consecutive and simultaneous interpreting in our conference interpreting facilities. You can also choose from optional modules informed by the leading research of our staff such as genre analysis, corpus linguistics, computer-assisted translation and machine translation.
Contracted practitioners and leading academics come together in our Centre for Translation Studies. Recognised by the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC), this exciting programme will prepare you to succeed in a competitive and rewarding sector.
Centre for Translation Studies
We have excellent facilities and resources to support your studies. Our conference interpreting facilities are equipped with single and double interpreter booths, and a video link to practise remote interpreting. The Electronic Resources and Information Centre (ERIC) will be the centre of your translation work, complete with 59 high-spec PCs and a wide range of specialist software for translation and subtitling.
The Centre for Translation Studies benefits from close links with organisations such as the Institute for Translation and Interpreting as well as the EU and UN (in Geneva and Vienna). This programme is regulated by a Memorandum of Understanding between the University and the Directorate General for Interpretation and Conferences of the European Parliament - a testament to our success in training conference interpreters.
It's a great opportunity to prepare for a career in the language services industry in a city that's full of cultural and linguistic diversity.
Accreditation
The University of Leeds is recognised by the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) for its interpreting training.
The University of Leeds is also a partner university of the Directorate-Generale for Interpretation of both the European Parliament and the European Commission.
Course content
In your first semester you'll begin to develop interpreting skills and work on specialised translation in your chosen languages. You may continue with translation in the following semester, while you'll build on your interpreting skills by practising simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.
In either semester, you can choose optional modules on topics like public speaking and genre analysis in translation.
All translation modules are offered INTO English, though for some languages we also offer a FROM English module. If you're studying with English and two passive foreign languages (ACC), all your interpreting modules will provide training INTO English. If you're training with English and a single, active foreign language (AB), you will train to interpret INTO and FROM English. We don't offer training in any combination of languages that doesn't include your first language.
Please see our admissions web pages for a list of available language pairs.
The Conference Interpreting programme has two language combination pathways: Conference Interpreting (ACC) and Conference Interpreting (AB). Depending on your language combinations, please specify your pathway in the Application system under Supporting Documentation. Please input your pathway choice in the text box. For example, ‘Conference Interpreting (AB), Chinese/English', or ‘Conference Interpreting (ACC), English/French/Spanish'.
Course structure
These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Interpreting Skills: Consecutive and Simultaneous 15 credits
- Retour Interpreting: Consecutive (AB students only) 15 credits
- Advanced Retour Interpreting: Consecutive and Simultaneous (AB students only) 15 credits
Optional modules
- Simultaneous Interpreting: Portuguese 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: German 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: Italian 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: Spanish 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: Arabic 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: Chinese 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: French 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - Portuguese 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - German 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - Italian 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - Spanish 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - Arabic 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - Chinese 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - French 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - Portuguese 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - German 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - Italian 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - Spanish 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - Arabic 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - Chinese 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - French 15 credits
- Translation for International Organisations (English-Arabic) 15 credits
- Methods and Approaches in Translation Studies 30 credits
- Principles and Applications of Machine Translation 15 credits
- Introduction to Screen Translation 15 credits
- Corpus Linguistics for Translators 15 credits
- English for Translators 15 credits
- Rhetoric and Public Speaking 15 credits
- Genres in Translation 15 credits
- International Organisations: Context, Theory and Practice 15 credits
- Literary Translation 15 credits
- Writing for Professional Purposes 15 credits
- Introduction to Translation Technologies and Workflows 15 credits
- Specialised French-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised German-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Italian-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Portuguese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Russian-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Spanish-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised English-Arabic Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised French-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised German-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Italian-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Portuguese-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Russian-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Spanish-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised English-Arabic Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Arabic-English Translation 15 credits
- Specialised English-Chinese Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Arabic-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised English-Chinese Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised English-Japanese Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Chinese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Japanese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Chinese-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Japanese-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised English-Japanese Translation B 15 credits
- Show more
For more information on typical modules, read Conference Interpreting PGDip in the course catalogue
Learning and teaching
Our interpreting trainers are practising professionals with experience of working in international organisations, as well as on the private market. We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you benefit from their expertise including workshops, lectures, seminars, practicals and other supervised practice. Independent study is also an important part of the programme.
Assessment
We use different forms of assessment, depending on the types of modules you choose. Normally these will include essays, assignments and reports as well as exams, in-course oral assessment and occasionally case studies. Translation modules will also include translation tests.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (Hons), as well as an excellent command of English and one or more foreign languages. If you don't have a degree, equivalent experience will be considered.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the Centre for Translation Studies admissions team.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in reading and writing and 7.5 in speaking and listening.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
How to apply
Application deadlines
Interpreting programmes with Chinese: 31 March 2018
All other interpreting programmes:
UK/EU: 4 September 2018
International: 28 August 2018
It can take between four and six weeks to assess an application, so we advise you to apply as early as possible. Application deadlines for many scholarships are also much earlier than the application deadline.
To account for this, we recommend you submit your application and all supporting documents before 30 April 2018.
- Apply
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you'll need
- Your degree transcripts and certificates, or a partial transcript of all the marks you've achieved so far if you're still studying
- We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application
- Evidence of your English language proficiency if English isn't your first language.
- You'll also need to complete a translation test for each language combination you're looking to study.
Next steps
If we decide to progress your application, we'll invite you to an interview conducted in English and the languages you wish to study. After the interview, if you are not successful but your translation tests are at the right standard, we may offer you a place on a translation-only programme instead.
Read more about Admissions.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy
Fees
UK/EU: £6,167 (total)
International: £12,333 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate qualifications from the Centre for Translation Studies are prestigious and respected. They equip you with valuable skills to succeed in a thriving and competitive industry, as well as advanced communication, research, IT and analytical skills.
Graduates from our interpreting programmes are working in some of the world's leading government bodies, media organisations, NGOs, private companies and international political organisations. These include the BBC, UN, EU, World Bank, World Trade Organization, SAP and translation companies such as thebigword and SDL.
Careers support
We work alongside you to support you in developing and then achieving your career goals. You'll discuss your customised personal development plan with your personal tutor.
In addition you'll have the chance to attend our Research and Professionalisation Talks by visiting speakers, many of whom are currently practising translators, interpreters, project managers and subtitlers for some of the world's largest organisations.
Related courses
Applied Translation Studies MAArabic/English Translation MA
Audiovisual Translation Studies MA
Business and Public Service Interpreting and Translation Studies MA
Conference Interpreting and Translation Studies MA
