Course summary
Our specialist programme is designed for those who want to work as professional interpreters. During the master’s programme, you’ll develop knowledge and critical awareness of the requirements of interpreting in a range of professional contexts, including those of conference interpreting, liaison interpreting, public service interpreting and interpreting for business contexts. You’ll learn relevant transferable communication skills, including the skills of summarising, abstracting, note-taking for interpreting purposes and public speaking. You’ll be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with other professionals in the field, including colleagues and clients. You’ll master IT skills that are relevant to the work of a professional interpreter and will be able to use specialised databases. Each course will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills in interpreting. You’ll have the opportunity to choose one optional course – including international politics and organisations, intercultural communication in the workplace, translation technologies and subtitling. This will allow you to customise learning and development goals to your specific interpreting interests. Your dissertation will allow you to engage in an independent in-depth critical examination of a particular topic that falls within the scope of Translation and Interpreting Studies. You’ll benefit from the industry relevance of the programme, which will set you up for life after graduation. Upon completion, you’ll be equipped with the professional skills and qualities necessary to become an interpreter in a variety of professional contexts. Additionally, you will develop transferable skills that will help broaden your career horizons. Beyond the subject-specific knowledge and skills, you’ll also be given the opportunity to learn and practice transferrable skills such as presentation, communication and ICT skills. Your learning environment The MSc Interpreting programme uses state-of-the-art language labs and interpreting booths which will provide you with the ideal setting to develop your interpretation skills to professional standards. You’ll be given the chance to develop your skills through regular practice in our refurbished interpreting booths, which are modelled on those used by the United Nations, the European Union and the Scottish Government. You’ll also have access to digital resources and a range of professional-standard software packages – gaining experience and confidence in using these facilities is a key part of this degree programme.
- Customise your learning*
Modules
Mandatory September -Skills for Interpreting -Liaison and Public Service Interpreting -Translation and Interpreting Studies Optional September -International Politics and Organisations -Business Communication 1: Communication in the Workplace -Intercultural Communication in the Workplace -Translation Technologies -Subtitling Mandatory January -Conference Interpreting -Research Methods -Introduction to the Translation and Interpreting Professions -Liaison Interpreting for Business Mandatory May -MSc Dissertation
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
Strand A (one language) Our minimum entry requirements satisfy both: Native / near-native command of English plus native / near-native command of Chinese, French, German, or Spanish An honours degree at 2:2 or non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject that demonstrates clear languages proficiency, preferably in the chosen study language. We can also consider other language experience such as translating or work experience with other languages. Strand B (two languages) Our minimum entry requirements satisfy both: Native / near-native command of English plus an excellent command of two from French, German, Spanish or Chinese. An honours degree at 2:2 or non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject that demonstrates clear languages proficiency, preferably in the chosen study languages. We can also consider other language experience such as translating or work experience with other languages. Entrance tests Suitable applicants will be invited for interview and to undertake a short test. We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details. English language requirements 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. If you do not have IELTS 7.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
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