Key information
Our MSc Interpreting and Translating programme at Heriot-Watt University is a twin-focus degree which will prepare you for a career as a professional translator and interpreter in one or two of the following with English – Spanish, German, Chinese or French.
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
This joint master’s programme has been designed to meet the needs of the international interpreting and translation industries. You’ll master the skills and techniques of translating and interpreting to a professional standard and will develop the ideal balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
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 interpretation and translation. 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 your learning and develop specific interpreting and translating interests. Your interpretation and translation 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, which is of interest to you.
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 transferable skills and qualities necessary to become a professional interpreter and translator in a variety of professional contexts. 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.
Academic Excellence Scholarship
To recognise the academic excellence of our applicants, Heriot-Watt is offering a scholarship in the form of a £2,000 tuition fee reduction to the student/s deemed to have met the highest academic criteria in their application for MSc Interpreting and Translating.
Learn moreYour student experience
You will be taught by a team of highly qualified researchers, educators and practising professionals who bring knowledge, expertise and guidance to the classroom.
This blend of academic and professional expertise helps our programme maintain its position at the forefront of industry practice and ensures that you will gain practical insights into the careers of successful interpreters and translators on an almost daily basis.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Skills for Interpreting
- Translation and Interpreting Studies
- Translation Practice I
Optional September
- International Politics and Organisations
- Intercultural Communication in the Workplace
- Translation Technologies
Mandatory January
- Conference Interpreting
- Translation Practice II
- Research Methods
Mandatory May
- MSc Dissertation
Optional January
- Introduction to the Translation and Interpreting Professions
- Subtitling
- Global Englishes and the International Workplace
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Programme Video
Languages at Heriot-Watt
Student testimonials
Through mock conferencing, industry networking, and workshops led by experienced EU interpreters, I gained first-hand insight into what it truly means to work as a linguist. The programme opened the door to the industry itself, allowing me to connect with professionals and understand the standards and expectations of the field.
Teaching staff
Claudia V. Angelelli
Professor
Ramon Inglada
Associate Professor
Yvonne McLaren
Assistant Professor
Academic Testimonial
Our MSc prepares students to be confident, employable interpreters and translators ready for today’s professional demands. Alongside solid practical training, they learn to work with the latest translation technologies and to embrace AI as a powerful tool. With support from DG SCIC—the European Commission’s interpreting service—they access first-rate resources and real professional insight.
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £10,864 | £5,432 |
| International | £21,872 | £10,936 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
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.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
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.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Employability
Our hands-on, professional standard experience of interpreting and translating is the ideal preparation for the industry and ensures that our graduates are widely sought after and respected across the industry. Recent interpreting and translating graduates have also been equipped with the transferable skills and qualities necessary to build successful careers as project managers, copywriters, editors, media specialists, subtitlers, and educators.
Potential career paths
- In-house translator
- Professional translator
- Freelance conference interpreter
- Founder of translation and interpreting agency
- Courtroom interpreter
- National Health Service interpreting head
- Localisation specialist
- Cultural liaison officer
Student life
Explore facilities, and chat to staff and students
