Course summary
Our specialist programme will allow you to develop the necessary balance of theoretical knowledge and professional language skills, with options to study intercultural communication or international politics and organisations alongside your translation and interpreting courses. During the master’s programme, you will gain a critical understanding of Translation and Interpreting Studies theories and concepts and their application to the processes of translating and interpreting between Chinese and English. You will develop analytical skills using theoretical concepts applied to practical problems of translating and interpreting between two languages and cultures to professional standards. Each course will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills. In addition to the core courses in Translation and Conference Interpreting, you can choose one optional course – including International Politics and Organisations, Intercultural Communication in the Workplace, Liaison and Public Service Interpreting, Translation Technologies and Subtitling. This will allow you to customise your learning and develop specific interpreting and translation interests. Your translation and interpretation dissertation will consist of an independent in-depth critical examination of a particular topic that falls within the scope of Translation and Interpreting Studies, which is of interest to you. You will benefit from the industry relevance of the programme, with lifelong career opportunities after graduation. The master’s programme will provide the transferable skills and qualities necessary to build a successful career in a variety of professional settings where Chinese language and intercultural knowledge is in demand. Our graduates have gone on to have successful careers as interpreters and translators but many have also gone on to be project managers, copywriters, editors, media specialists and educators. Beyond the subject-specific knowledge and skills, you will learn and practice transferrable skills such as presentation, communication, analytical and ICT skills. Your learning environment Our MSc Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting programme uses state-of-the-art language labs and interpreting booths which will provide you with the ideal setting to develop your translating and interpretation skills to professional standards. Our suite of interpreting booths has been refurbished and modelled on those used by the United Nations, the European Union and the Scottish Parliament. The programme is taught through a combination of seminars, lectures, masterclasses, workshops and virtual classes allowing you to get to know and build relationships with your peers, the teaching staff and academics. Customise your learning You’ll learn from eight courses on the syllabus (seven mandatory and one optional). The optional course allows you to focus on the area of translation or interpretation that interests you most. This gives you the opportunity to customise your degree to match your specific interests or career pathway by selecting a specialist course option. Accreditation Our MSc Interpreting and Translating is regarded as one of the strongest degree programmes of its kind by many within the industry. This is reflected in our professional membership of Conférence Internationale Permanente d'Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes (CIUTI) – a multinational organisation of universities which is dedicated to upholding a standard of excellence in the teaching of interpreting and translating. CIUTI recognition is a guarantee that the course content, teaching and examinations are conducted at the highest standard. It is a mark of quality which is recognised by major international employers of interpreters and translators.
Modules
Mandatory September -Skills for Interpreting -Translation Practice I -Translation and Interpreting Studies Optional September -Liaison and Public Service Interpreting -International Politics and Organisations -Business Communication 1: Communication in the Workplace -Intercultural Communication in the Workplace -Subtitling -Translation Technologies Mandatory January -Research Methods -Conference Interpreting -Translation Practice II -Introduction to the Translation and Interpreting Professions Mandatory May -Dissertation in Chinese-English Translating and Interpreting
Assessment method
You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your research project, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.
How to apply
International applicants
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 6.5.
Entry requirements
Visit Heriot-Watt University's website for entry requirements.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £10528 | Whole course |
Northern Ireland | £10528 | Whole course |
Scotland | £10528 | Whole course |
Wales | £10528 | Whole course |
International | £21192 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support. Postgraduate European Union Scholarship Open to any student coming from an EU country, this scholarship is an automatically applied £5,000 fee reduction for a full-time postgraduate taught programme at Heriot-Watt University.
Provider information
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS