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University of Bath: Interpreting and Translating (European path)

Institution	University of Bath View institution profile
Department	Politics, Languages and International Studies View department profile
Web	https://www.bath.ac.uk/faculties/faculty-of-humanities-social-sciences/
Email	pgtadmissions@bath.ac.uk
Telephone	+44 1225 38 5115
Study type	Taught

Summary

Acquire the skills needed to become a professional interpreter and translator in a range of European languages on this practical and respected master’s course.

Our MA in Interpreting and Translating will equip you with a joint qualification in both disciplines. This will prepare you to work as a conference interpreter and professional translator.

You’ll learn from highly experienced tutors who work or have previously worked as professional translators and interpreters. Some have interpreted for heads of state and government ministers, and most work for international organisations alongside teaching.

Language options

Across this course, you’ll translate and interpret two different European languages into English. You must have a perfect command of English and an excellent understanding of the two languages you choose.

The available course routes are:

• French and German

• French and Italian

• French and Russian

• French and Spanish

• German and Spanish

• Italian and German

• Italian and Spanish

• Russian and German

• Russian and Italian

• Russian and Spanish

A course designed for linguists

Bath has offered this master’s for more than 50 years and has built longstanding links with international organisations like the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU). We make use of these links to keep our course up to date with the professional world and to set up external training opportunities where possible.

You'll benefit from our Memorandums of Understanding with the UN and the European Parliament, and our membership of the European Commission’s Pedagogical Assistance programme. Thanks to these arrangements, you'll be able to take part in additional training sessions, both online and in-person, with staff interpreters from these services. Representatives of all three organisations will also attend final exams.

You'll also have access to our professional-grade interpreting labs. These are equipped with interpreter consoles and microphones, interpreter booths, and online conference facilities.

What you’ll learn

You'll develop key skills in professional translation and both conference interpreting (consecutive and simultaneous) and public service interpreting.

To help you achieve these skills, you will:

• have access to our professional-grade interpreting labs for classwork and independent study. This is exclusive to students studying interpreting courses with us

• participate in ‘mini conferences’ to put your skills into practice. You’ll take part in debates about political and societal topics, acting as both delegate and interpreter

Gain important career skills and experience

Upon completion of this course, you will have acquired:

• the written and verbal skills to work with varied and challenging texts and speeches to a professional standard

• experience of working to deadlines and using style guides

• contacts with potential employers and colleagues from your external training

• access to our close-knit alumni network of linguists who work in international organisations, private bodies and independent agencies

• translation skills, which you’ll demonstrate during the dissertation/project you complete at the end of the taught part of the course

• a greater level of intercultural awareness, which is important for working in an international role

Graduate prospects

Our MA Interpreting and Translating is a vocational course with an excellent international reputation. Many of our graduates have gone on to work in a range of interpreting and translating roles. Others have used the transferable skills gained to pursue further study or careers in teaching, publishing, and design.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for:

• Foreign Office

• UEFA

• GCHQ

• European Parliament

• European Commission

• International Court of Justice

• European Court of Auditors

• International Union of Railways

• Universal Postal Union

• United Nations

MA