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    Key information

    Location
    Edinburgh
    Mode of delivery
    On-campus
    Delivery type
    Full-time, Part-time
    Start date
    September
    Duration
    1 year
    Qualification
    MSc

    Contact

    Contact our enquiries team

    Contact us

    Overview

    Our MSc Interpreting course is one of the most established and respected interpreting degrees of its kind in the UK and offers professional standard training in Chinese, French, German and Spanish.

    Our masters degree in Interpreting is designed for those who have native/near-native command of English and one or two other languages from:

    • Chinese
    • French
    • German
    • Spanish.

    You will be taught by experts from the fields of interpreting practice, linguistics, research and education and given the chance to bring your skills to a professional standard through regular practice in our newly-refurbished interpreting booths, which are modelled on those used by the United Nations and the European Union. 

    This programme is designed for those who want to work as professional interpreters and has been thoughtfully designed to give you expertise to use in a range of contexts including:

    • conference interpreting
    • health-care interpreting
    • legal interpretingEuropean exchange
    • simultaneous interpreting
    • educational interpreting.

    This interpreting programme provides around 15 hours of academic contact per week including conference interpreting seminars in our interpreting labs, interpreting lectures, liaison interpreting seminars, and mock multilingual conferences in semester 2.

    Language labs

    Studying an MSc Interpreting degree at Heriot-Watt University will give you access to our excellent translation and interpreting facilities which include our recently refurbished interpreting labs modelled on those used at the UN and EU.

    In these labs you will find state-of-the-art interpreting booths, 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. 

    Language combinations

    In the practical translating and interpreting courses our students can opt for Strand A or Strand B, corresponding to their chosen languages:

    Strand A

    Study of English + one other language from Chinese, French, German or Spanish. Students work in both directions between English and their chosen language.

    Strand B

    Study of English + two foreign languages from Chinese, French, German or Spanish. Students on this strand work from the two chosen languages into English.

    Industry links: an international network

    MSc Interpreting provides access to an ever-growing international network of employers who recognise the high standard of interpreting graduates from Heriot-Watt University.

    Our industry links allow us to host SWATI Day for our graduating students (Starting Work as a Translator or Interpreter). This is an industry-focussed conference event which brings key figures from industry to Heriot-Watt University for a day of professional guidance and networking.

    Our graduates are given access to exclusive internship opportunities with organisations such as IAMZ, the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza in Spain, which gives four MSc students with a proficient level of Spanish the opportunity to take up partly European exchange-funded 3-month Simultaneous Interpreting placements in Spain. 

    Programme duration

    • Full-time: 12 months/9 months (MSc/PG Diploma)
    • Part-time: 24 months/21 months  (MSc/PG Diploma)

    September 2024 entry

    The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.

    Professional recognition

    Our training efforts are backed up by SCIC, the Directorate-General for Interpretation of the European Commission, through a cooperation agreement. This cooperation translates into virtual classes, pedagogical assistance missions and training for trainers delivered by SCIC trainers, as well as study visits to Brussels.

    Course content

    Year 1

    • Semester 1 (Sep-Dec): 60 credits (4 taught courses)
    • Semester 2 (Jan-April): 60 credits (4 taught courses)
    • Semester 3 (May-Aug): 60 credits (MSc dissertation)

    Semester 1

    • Skills for Interpreting
    • Liaison and Public Service Interpreting
    • Translation and Interpreting Studies

    Plus one from the following options:

    • Subtitling
    • Translation Technologies
    • Business Communication
    • International Politics and Organisations 
    • Intercultural Communication in the Workplace
    • Business Communication 1: Communication in the Workplace

    Semester 2

    • Conference Interpreting
    • Liaison Interpreting for Business
    • Introduction to the Translation and Interpreting Professions
    • Research Methods

    Semester 3

    • MSc Dissertation (60 credits)

    For the MSc dissertation, students can choose one of these three options:

    1. Research dissertation (12,000 words): completion of an original research study.
    2. Translation and Commentary Dissertation: students in one of the programmes with translation can work on the translation of a text of +/- 6,000 words that has not been translated before following an invented brief, and commentary (+/- 6,000 words) of the strategies applied underpinned by relevant theories and/or theoretical models.
    3. Interpretation and Commentary Dissertation: students in a programme with interpreting can choose this option, which includes transcribing an interpretation performed by the student of between 20-30 minutes, and commentary (+/- 6,000 words) of relevant features depending on the mode, setting, communicative encounter, and analytical focus, which will be underpinned by relevant theories and/or theoretical models.

    Course descriptions

    Liaison and Public Service Interpreting

    Semester 1 (mandatory)

    The course concentrates on introducing and developing the knowledge and skills required to become a competent professional liaison/bilateral interpreter working in general, business and public sector settings. Students will become familiar with the following styles of interpreting: liaison/bilateral interpreting (i.e. “two-way” interpreting mostly in consecutive mode), sight translation to support interpreting and chuchotage (whisper interpreting, in simultaneous mode).

    Translation & Interpreting Studies

    Semester 1 (mandatory)

    The course covers the major theoretical areas in Translation & Interpreting Studies, as well as various models of text processing and translating and interpreting. The course also looks at the relevance and applicability of this to the practical concerns of the translator/interpreter.

    Conference Interpreting

    Semester 2 (mandatory)

    Includes language-specific workshops to practise consecutive and simultaneous interpreting following a set programme of appropriate speeches as well as mini-conferences at which students participate as speakers, as well as practise their simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.

    Liaison Interpreting for Business

    Semester 2 (mandatory)

    The course continues to build professional liaison/bilateral interpreter skills for working in business settings. Students will become familiar with liaison/bilateral interpreting (i.e. “two-way” interpreting mostly in consecutive mode). Students will also reflect on preparation for the interpreting assignment; handling briefing and de-briefing; managing the interpreting situation (and aspects of interpersonal dynamics, in particular the implications of intercultural and interlingual issues).

    Go Global

    Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information.

    Fees and funding

    Tuition fees

    Tuition fees
    Status [footnote 1] Full-time Part-time
    UK 9152 4576
    Overseas [footnote 2] 20376 10188

    Footnotes

    1. 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
    2. Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

    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.

    View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.

    Entry requirements

    Entry

    Strand A

    1. Native / near-native command of English plus native / near-native command of Chinese, French, German, or Spanish
    2. Good degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.

    Strand B

    1. Native / near-native command of English plus an excellent command of two from French, German, Spanish or Chinese.
    2. Good degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.

    Entrance tests

    Suitable applicants will be invited for interview and to undertake a short test.

    English language requirements

    Non-native speakers of English must provide evidence of their English language ability. This must be IELTS 7.0, or equivalent, with at least 6.5 in all components. 

    Why Heriot-Watt?

    Multilingual Debate

    Heriot-Watt University's Multilingual Debate is an annual event that showcases the interpreting skills of students

    Clubs and activities

    At Heriot-Watt we have an extensive programme of over 90 sports clubs and societies to get involved in. You can try as many as you like or start one of your own!

    Edinburgh campus accommodation

    Living on our beautiful Edinburgh campus is a great way to meet others from all over the world. Our student accommodation is within easy reach of the teaching buildings, sports facilities, catering venues and the Student Union

    Edinburgh Campus facilities

    At Heriot-Watt University, we offer a wide range of services to help you deal with all aspects of your life with us, whether these be academic, personal, technical, financial or just plain fun!

    Health and wellbeing

    Student Wellbeing Services aim to provide a range of support, guidance, activities and advice to help students to be their best, and get the most from their university experience. From counselling to coaching we'll sure you are fully supported.

    Heriot-Watt Student Union

    There's more to university life than simply getting your degree, and Heriot-Watt University Student Union is all about helping you to have the best possible experience while you study here.

    Living in Edinburgh

    Historic and beautiful, a cultural capital that fuels the senses whether you love the arts or nature, nightlife or study life, Edinburgh is stimulating and inspirational and never, ever boring.

    Sport facilities

    Oriam, Scotland Sports Performance Centre offers state-of-the-art sports facilities, for all levels of sport and ability

    Your career

    Employers around the world actively seek out our graduates because they are work-ready. All our degrees are career-focused and relevant to the needs of industry. Around 95% of our students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

    We are accredited by the following organisations

    At Heriot-Watt University we develop degrees that are relevant for the world of work. We work with Professional bodies and Institutes to gain appropriate Accreditations and Professional Memberships for your industry. Find out below how this degree aligns to industry.

    Conférence internationale permanente d'instituts universitaires de traducteurs et interprètes logo

    Conférence internationale permanente d'instituts universitaires de traducteurs et interprètes (CIUTI)

    We are founding members of CIUTI, the world's oldest and most prestigious international association of universities who train interpreters and translators

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