Course summary
We live and work in a linguistically and culturally diverse world, fuelling the demand for strong linguists with a combination of interpretation and translation skills to support global communication. Master a set of marketable skills to start working as a translator or interpreter, with the option to specialise in conference and public service interpretation. Our Translating and Interpreting master’s programme aims to transform your advanced language skills to qualify as a translator or interpreter. We offer the following languages: Arabic, French, Gaelic, German, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. Develop essential skills in interpreting at a professional standard to meet the needs of a highly demanded industry. Gain world-class training in interpretation with our cutting-edge conference interpretation suite to enable communication, trading and cooperation at an international level. Installed by Televic, the interpreting suite allows you to operate professional systems used as standard at major international conferences and institutions such as the European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN). We offer an introductory course to conference interpretation to build your specialist knowledge and technical skills required for interpreting in a conference setting. There is a follow-up course in conference interpretation to progress the skills learnt in the introductory course. We also offer training in public service interpreting if you wish to work in a public service setting. Develop transferable skills from research and writing skills to intercultural communication and enhanced cultural knowledge, offering you opportunities to work across various industries and sectors. Work with professional interpreters and participate in class-based activities designed to advance your skills in comprehension, discrimination, retention and expression. Learn in a controlled and familiar interpreting setting, with guidance from highly qualified academics with professional interpreting experience across different contexts and settings. You can book a booth outside scheduled classes to gain additional practice and bolster your confidence in interpretation. You can also access AssessmentQ and InterpreterQ Media Player on-campus or remotely to support your independent study and progress.
Modules
Students will have access to state-of-the-art interpreting technologies to support their collaborative learning. They will use AssessmentQ along with InterpreterQ Media player and Blackboard Collaborate for the synchronous sessions. AssessmentQ is an advanced online platform for learning and practising making your training efficient and knowledge measurable. AssessmentQ allows creation, publishing and grading of online exercises and tests, specifically for consecutive and simultaneous interpreting (with dual-track recording). The platform offers a range of other types of exercises including multiple choices, translations and open questions. InterpreterQ media player(IQMP) is a self-study tool which can be installed on any computer and accessed on campus or remotely. Students will also be able to use audio and video to practise simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.
Assessment method
Students will write a Dissertation in Translation Studies, produce a Language-Specific Translation Portfolio and complete an Introduction to Conference Interpreting course. In case students decide to continue with conference interpreting, they should also pass the Conference Interpreting course, irrespective of their performance in other courses.
How to apply
International applicants
When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs. In addition, it is important to check all immigration requirements regularly and before travelling, as they can change. Students without the necessary visa will be refused entry to the UK. You should allow plenty of time to organise your visa and ensure you are aware of all your responsibilities under the terms and conditions of your visa. Please note that the advice provided via the University is the Student Visa category of the UK's Points Based Immigration Scheme. For further information, please visit the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.
Entry requirements
Candidates are required to have a First or Upper Second class honours degree or its overseas equivalent in one of the languages offered in the School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture, or a 2.2 with professional experience in interpreting (candidates with substantial experience as a professional interpreter but no degree will also be considered). Students need to have a very good command of the two languages that they will be using to acquire their interpreting skills. In the case of English, students must be able to demonstrate English language competence at IELTS 6.5. level (or equivalent), preferably having in Listening and Speaking 6.0.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 6.0 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 21 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online test is not accepted. |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for 1 year). Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course. | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | C | Overall - 176 with: Listening - 162 or above; Reading - 162 or above; Speaking - 162 or above; Writing - 169 or above. |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Higher requirements are used by the Schools of Business; Divinity, History and Philosophy; Education; Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture; Law; and Social Sciences. The MSc in Oil and Gas Enterprise Management and the MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geoscience also make use of the Postgraduate Higher requirements. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your degree programme, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £11100 | Year 1 |
| EU | £23800 | Year 1 |
| England | £11100 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £11100 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £11100 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £11100 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £11100 | Year 1 |
| International | £23800 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Tuition fees given are at the full-time rate. The part-time fee rate for taught postgraduate programmes is 50% of the relevant full-time fee rate.
Sponsorship information
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/. The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX