Diploma in Translation Exam Preparation Course (Short)

Course summary

Our Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) exam preparation courses support you in preparing for the Diploma in Translation exam.

Our Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) Exam Preparation Course (Short)  is a shortened version of our year-long course that aims to support students in working towards the IoL Educational Trust (IoLET) Diploma in Translation exam in January 2022. The course is delivered in ‘blended learning’ mode and comprises a series of Saturday workshops as well as regular online translation assignments.

Who are these courses for?

This course aims to support those who have been partially unsuccessful in the January 2022 Diploma in Translation examination and would benefit from expert support and feedback from our experienced tutors as they’re preparing for the examination in January 2023.

International students – please note this is not a course that will allow international students to come to the UK and study on a Student Visa.

About the DipTrans qualification

The DipTrans is the oldest professional qualification of its kind, widely recognised by employers in the UK and around the world, and intended for working translators and for those who wish to embark on a career in professional translation. It is a postgraduate-level professional qualification offered by the IoL Educational Trust (IoLET).

Dip Trans Exam

The DipTrans exam takes place every January and the University of Westminster is one of several exam centres for the Diploma in Translation. It is important that you are aware that the DipTrans exam fee is not included in the preparation course fee. You will need to register for the DipTrans exam independently of taking the course. You can also register for the Diploma in Translation exam without having taken a preparatory course.

See more information on taking the DipTrans exam at Westminster.

Course structure

Students will join our current Diploma in Translation Preparation course in May 2022 and will attend Saturday workshops from 21 May 2022 onwards. Please see the Course Dates section below for the four Saturday workshop dates. Each Saturday comprises a 2-hour language workshop in the morning followed by another 2-hour language-specific workshop in the afternoon.

Workshops will cover important translation and exam basics as well as topics such as translation and revision strategies and, towards the end of the year, targeted exam skills training. Each of these topical sessions will be followed by language-specific sessions with your translation tutor.* In addition, you will complete a monthly translation assignment online and will receive tailored feedback on your translations from your designated translation tutor.

*Languages subject to annual confirmation

Teaching methods

We will not only give you additional translation practice and feedback to help prepare for your next examination attempt but it will also help you to develop the skills required for a future career in translation. The course is taught through a combination of on-site workshops and online translation assignment, on which you will receive individual written feedback. Our lecturers use a variety of both face-to-face and distance learning methods to equip you with the skills needed to further your translation skills, such as:

• sight and group translation
• how to identify and deal with translation problems
• text analysis for translation purposes
• grammar, spelling, punctuation rules and style
• working with language constraints and requirements individual written feedback on translation assignments
• research methods and writing skills for translation purposes
• comparison of language systems
• timed translation practice alongside analysis of past exam papers and reports