Course Overview
Course summary
The Translation and Interpreting with Professional Experience MA is a unique two-year course that offers you the opportunity to complete an extended work placement and gain professional experience. Partnered with the Translation and Interpreting MA, you’ll complete the same taught modules as the one-year course with the addition of completing a minimum of 550 hours in a work placement or internship.
The MA trains you in translation and interpreting between one main language and English. You'll learn how to research specialised subjects for professional translation and interpreting purposes and hone your skills through extensive practice in your translation and interpreting classes and the Skills Lab modules. The skills and knowledge acquired in your core modules will be complemented by your choice of option module. At the end of the course, you'll submit either a Translation or Interpreting Project, or a dissertation.
Your core Specialised Translation module will involve both direct and inverse translation training between English and your chosen language. You'll also study conference (consecutive and simultaneous) and public service interpreting, into and out of English, in your core Interpreting module.
The Translation and Interpreting Skills Lab modules complement and contextualise your learning, allowing you to utilise your skills in situated learning scenarios. Through a series of mock conferences and a simulated translation bureau, you’ll apply your knowledge to realistic work-based tasks, preparing you for the workplace.
Your final core module, Professional Development, will tie in with your Skills Lab modules to further prepare you for a career in Translation or Interpreting. You’ll benefit from workshops on CV writing for translation and interpreting, career and CPD plans, visits from guest speakers, and volunteering opportunities to ensure you graduate prepared to launch your career.
Top reasons to study with us
- Prepare for working life – in our Skills Lab modules you’ll work on simulated work-based scenarios to put your skills and theoretical knowledge into practice
- Master the essential software – you’ll learn how to work with a range of industry-standard CAT tools and practise your interpreting skills in our state-of-the art and fully digitised Sanako interpreting suites
- Boost your CV – hone your career building and professional development skills with our Professional Development module and benefit from the University of Westminster Mentoring scheme
- Benefit from our wide range of resources, from an extensive collection of volumes and electronic materials in our library, to a state-of-the-art computer labs and extensive conference interpreting facilities
- Our teaching staff include full and part-time lecturers, all with professional expertise in translation and interpreting and other specialist fields
- Gain practical experience – this course includes an extended work placement module, giving you the opportunity to complete a work placement or internship in industry as part of your studies
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of what you'll study on this course.
Core modules
This module is designed to provide you with training in public service interpreting as well as in interpreting in formal conference scenarios in both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting modes. Cross-referencing and consolidating the skills you are acquiring on the co-requisite Interpreting Skills Lab Module in areas such as information transfer, formal and informal speech, body language and voice, etiquette, glossary building, concentration, memory, message analysis and split attention, you will hone your note-taking techniques in public service, dialogue, and consecutive interpreting, and develop multitasking skills as well as cross-cultural communication awareness by practicing public service, consecutive, and booth-based simultaneous interpreting.
This module equips you with a range of essential skills needed to succeed in the interpreting profession. The module is delivered in parallel to the language-specific Chinese / French / German / Italian / Spanish Interpreting module and is designed to complement your acquisition of practical, language-specific interpreting skills through conceptual knowledge development, discussion, and practical implementation in simulated professional scenarios. You'll be guided through the principles, strategies, and skills involved in Public Service and Conference Interpreting, and learning activities will enable you to reflect on your practice, analyse the quality of your performance, and prepare for a career in a wide range professional, cultural, and social settings.
The module is delivered in our bespoke interpreting suites through seminars and workshops, supervised as well as student-led interpreting lab practice, mock conferences, and other situated learning activities. This module scaffolds and facilitates your learning journey on the MA Translation and Interpreting through the clear setting of intermediate goals, checking progress at regular intervals, keeping a reflective journal, and working closely with peers on giving and receiving feedback.
This module offers practical, language-specific translation training, utilising a wide range of specialist texts of the kind you will be expected to handle in a professional context. You'll encounter a wide variety of text types and, in terms of subject area, will typically cover material from an equally wide variety of contexts, such as international and government institutions, economics, finance, business, politics and law, as well as technical and scientific fields such as medicine, pharmacology, engineering, IT, technical product development and the natural and applied sciences. While you will be trained to translate specialised material both into and out of your mother tongue, the focus of assessment on this modules primarily lies on ‘direct’ (into mother tongue/language of habitual use) translation.
Language-specific translation training on his module is complemented and supported by weekly all-cohort, interactive lectures covering a range of conceptual and strategic dimensions of translation in a professional context.
This module equips you with a wide range of practice-oriented skills needed to succeed in the language services industry. The module is delivered in parallel to the Chinese / French / German / Italian / Spanish Specialised Translation module and is designed to complement your acquisition of language-specific translation skills through the holistic development of Computer-assisted Translation and Terminology Management, Project Management, and Quality Assurance skills sets and their application in an extended, multilingual Simulated Translation Bureau (STB). The module fosters and hones high-level skills such as teamwork, professionalism, time-management, self-motivation, and reflective practice, as well as language industry-specific skills such as the confident and effective handling of translation technology in real-world contexts; sales, client, and vendor management; translation project and workflow management across multilingual teams; terminology research and management; translation; transcreation; revision and quality assurance; and final delivery and after-sales tasks.
You'll be guided through the skills acquisition process and the STB by a team of specialist tutors. Learning activities will enable you to reflect on your practice, analyse the quality of your performance, and prepare for a career in a wide range professional, cultural, and social settings. The module benefits from access to a range of specialist software packages and is delivered through interactive seminars, supervised as well as student-led translation labs, simulations, and other situated learning activities. The module scaffolds and facilitates your learning journey on the MA Specialised Translation and MA Translation and Interpreting by consolidating and complementing learning from a range of other modules in a simulated professional setting.
This module offers a range of seminars and workshops designed to prepare you for your working lives as translators and interpreters, either in-house or freelance, and is delivered by both academic staff and external speakers with expert knowledge and relevant experience in a range of industry-relevant fields.
Workshops include, for example, marketing yourself as a freelance translator or interpreter, ethics and professionality, working for international organisations, continuing professional development and working for agencies. The skills, concepts and knowledge that support future employability and reflective practice will be addressed from both a conceptual and practical standpoint.
The MA Interpreting Project consists of individual study for and completion of an extended piece of analysis on your own performance in fulfilling an interpretation task from initial research and glossary building, text analysis, and giving an interpretation, to a final evaluation of the interpreting quality. The module is delivered through a series of project workshops covering aspects of interpreting theory and text analysis and practical advice on how to complete the project. There is also individual supervision.
Alternatively, you can do an MA Translation Project. The module consists of individual study for and completion of an extended piece of translation, accompanied by an analytic commentary and a set of annotations on the translation process. The module is delivered through a series of workshops linked to online study blocks covering aspects of translation theory and text analysis as well as practical advice on how to complete the Project. You'll also receive individual Project supervision over the course of the module.
You can also choose to do an MA Dissertation. This is the development, execution, and writing-up of an independent research project on a topic of your choice. You'll attend regular research seminars. Individual supervision will provide topic-specific guidance.
Option modules
This module examines the ways in which translation, conceived as a cultural practice, can be understood within diverse linguistic, social, professional and historical contexts.
It invites you to consider not only the immediate cultural implications of translating between two cultural contexts, but also interrogates the notion that translators are culturally neutral or independent of the processes in which they engage. The concept of cultural practice is also investigated by looking inwards towards the professional contexts of translation in different societies over history, examining the cultures of the translation profession and how these cultures have impacted on the practice of translation.
The module seeks to provide the conceptual underpinning that equips students with critical reflective insight into their own translation practice through exploring a range of culturally inflected texts and textual practices, both written and oral.
This module considers current theories and practices of information processing, communication and interpretation and their relevance to global co-operation. It provides the knowledge and competencies needed to operate successfully in multi-cultural environments and examines, simulates and critically evaluates the techniques and strategies required to facilitate global bilingual / lingua franca advocacy and collaboration. It covers issues such as framing and reframing, active listening, and metacommunication. It also examines the ethical dimensions and challenges of international liaison.
This module aims to develop a critical understanding of the interaction between language, discourse, and power as it is projected in an institutional communication context. The module is designed to help linguists and communicators to analyse a number of social interactions (speeches, interviews, etc.) and institutional discourses (European Union and United Nations), and to reflect on their own discourse building competences in a professional institutional context. The module supports linguists and communicators in understanding how institutional narratives are created and developed.
Professional accreditation
The University of Westminster is a Higher Education Language partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, and a member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, the Conférence Internationale permanente d’Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes (CIUTI), Elia Exchange, and the UN MoU Network, a group of international signatories to a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations on cooperation in the training of language professionals for the UN language competitive examinations.
Hear from our students
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
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Careers
The Translation and Interpreting with Professional Experience MA is designed to enable you to succeed as a professional linguist or freelance interpreter in the public and private sector and/or engage in further research. The course has an excellent graduate employment record, and our membership of Elia Exchange ensures that we can assist you in securing high-quality work placements both during the course and following graduation.
Enhance your employability
Our course focuses on practical training in translation and interpreting, and our Professional Development module is designed to prepare you for your career in the industry.
Benefit from our support
As well as being allocated a personal tutor and given academic guidance by the course team, you'll have the opportunity to sign up for a mentoring partnership with a professional linguist through the University of Westminster Mentoring Scheme.
Simulated work-based learning
Our Translation and Interpreting Skills Lab modules give you the opportunity to work on authentic projects taken from industry.
Industry links
The University of Westminster is a Higher Education Language partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, and also a member of the following organisations:
- Association of Programmes in Translation and Interpreting Studies UK and Ireland (APTIS)
- Conférence Internationale permanente d’Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes (CIUTI)
- Institute of Translation and Interpreting
- UN MoU Network, a group of international signatories to a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations on cooperation in the training of language professionals for the UN language competitive exams
You'll be taught by translation and interpreting professionals with years of experience gained across the world in a wide range of industries.
Guest speakers
Alumni and other industry professionals regularly attend as guest speakers, with past speakers including:
- Ailsa Gudgeon, voice and communication coach
- Alessandra Battaglia, freelance Italian translator and interpreter
- Jesse Browner, English section chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service at the United Nations Headquarters in New York
- Paul Kaye, English translator at the European Commission
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- European Commission
- Hogarth Worldwide
- SDI Media
- TranslatePlus
- United Nations
Job roles
This course will prepare you for a variety of roles, including:
- Bilingual advocate
- Conference interpreter
- Editor/Reviser
- Localiser
- Public service interpreter
- Translator
- Translation project manager
- Terminologist
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.
Course Leader
Dr Elsa Huertas Barros
Senior Lecturer
Elsa Huertas Barros is a Senior Lecturer in Translation Studies and Course Leader for the Specialised Translation MA and Translation and Interpreting MA. Elsa completed a Translation degree, an MA in Advanced Studies in Translation and Interpreting and a PhD in Translation at the University of Granada.
Elsa mainly teaches practical translation modules and translation theory both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Elsa’s research interests lie in the fields of translator training, particularly translator competence, interpersonal competence, collaborative learning, student-centered methodologies and assessment practices. Elsa’s most recent worked has focused on the development of competence descriptors for a common European framework of reference for Translation (EFFORT project) and the development of evaluation procedures for different levels in the acquisition of translation competence (EACT project).
Studying Translation helps you understand the nuances and secrets of language transfer between different cultures
Course Team
Why study this course?
Extended Work Placement
You’ll gain professional experience by completing 550 hours in a work placement or internship.
Fantastic central London location
You'll be based at our Regent Street Campus in the heart of central London, with easy access to London's huge range of libraries, cultural resources and international businesses and organisations.
Work with industry software
You'll have the opportunity to learn how to work with a range of industry-standard software for translation and practice your interpreting skills in fully digitised Sanako interpreting suites.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Linguists without a degree but with sufficient experience in translation and/or interpreting will also be considered. All applicants take an entry test consisting of written and oral components. If you are successful in the entry tests, we will interview you in person or on the telephone to determine if the Translation and Interpreting MA is right for you. The course is open to native speakers of Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with 7.0 in speaking and a minimum of 6.0 in all other components.
Applicants are required to submit one academic or professional reference.
Recognition of prior learning and experience
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for application
A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Linguists without a degree but with sufficient experience in translation and/or interpreting will also be considered. All applicants take an entry test consisting of written and oral components. If you are successful in the entry tests, we will interview you in person or on the telephone to determine if the Translation and Interpreting MA is right for you. The course is open to native speakers of Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with 7.0 in speaking and a minimum of 6.0 in all other components.
Applicants are required to submit one academic or professional reference.
Recognition of prior learning and experience
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for application
More information
What our students say
Claudia Bragman
Translation and Interpreting MA
The course was a great platform to develop my skills and learn from my tutors to discover which aspects of the profession I was most suited to (running a freelance business as a conference interpreter and translator, as it turns out). It was also a very useful networking space as some of my course mates who chose a similar path to me went on to become my colleagues. In short, the MA was a real springboard to the professional sphere and to developing my business as a freelance conference interpreter and translator.
Heyu Yu
Translation and Interpreting MA
This course allowed me to learn from active practitioners in the field, and regular access to specialised equipment on campus taught me what working in a booth is like. Help with professional development was always at hand and visiting interpreters and translators from international organisations gave me great advice on how to overcome difficulties and pursue my career.
Judit Barberà Monterde
Translation and Interpreting MA
I came to Westminster for the amazing location, but stayed for the frankly outstanding MA programme and the small-group classes that really allowed me to deepen my knowledge of the subjects I was truly interested in. I had the chance to meet people from all over the world, which not only enriched me as a person, but also opened doors to career opportunities I never thought I would have.
Learn new skills
Volunteer and gain new skills
We offer a number of different volunteering opportunities for you to learn new skills, create connections, and make a difference in the community.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your start-up projects.
Get extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £11,700 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).
Find out more about postgraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £19,500 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There are a number of funding schemes available to help you fund your studies with us.
Find out more about funding for international students.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Facilities
Take a look at our state-of-the-art Sanako interpreting suites available to students on the Translation and Interpreting MA.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you’ll be taught
Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into two broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you’ll be assessed
Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into three broad categories:
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
- Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2023/24
Research groups
Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.
Find out more about our research groups related to this course:
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course Location
Our Regent Campus is composed of three sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.
Our Humanities subjects are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.
For more details, visit our locations page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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