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. You'll benefit from their wealth of experience and contemporary knowledge.

Watch our recent webinar about this course

Course pathways

The course offers two pathways:

• Path 1 (French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish): You’ll translate and interpret two different languages into English. You must have a perfect command of English and an excellent understanding of the two languages you choose
• Path 2 (Chinese/English): You’ll work in both directions between Chinese (Mandarin) and English. You must have an excellent command of Chinese and English.

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 and European Union. 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 will have access to our professional-grade interpreting labs. These are equipped with interpreter consoles and microphones, interpreter booths, and online conference facilities. Access to these labs is exclusive to students studying interpreting courses.

As well as the labs, you may also use the on-campus TV studio for some units and tasks.

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
• choose from a host of optional and extra-curricular units tailor the course to your own strengths or to explore new areas of study

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

Training opportunities

Where possible, we use our extensive network of contacts to organise external training opportunities. These are often with the language services of international organisations, government departments or translation companies.

These opportunities can provide you with invaluable insights into the work of professional linguists and are highly valued by employers. However, they are not compulsory or guaranteed. Your language combination and your progress on the course will be considered, along with any other relevant information, when matching you with potential training opportunities.

If you do undertake additional training, you’ll be able to hone your skills as a linguist by carrying out authentic tasks and receiving direct feedback from experts in the field.

Our students have previously undertaken training with many organisations, including:

• the United Nations
• institutions of the European Union
• the Council of Europe

Find out more about our latest summer course, which gave students the chance to connect with experienced staff interpreters from organisations like the European Union and the United Nations

Extracurricular activities

You'll also have the opportunity to attend talks or extracurricular units to enhance your core learning. These will cover a range of topics such as law, economics and current affairs.

In addition to this, we regularly invite speakers and trainers from the course’s professional network to deliver career-focused talks and additional training sessions.

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 Interpreting and Translating graduate Elizabeth Black is a Staff Interpreter at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Interpretation and has been working as a professional interpreter for more than ten years. Read more about her time at Bath and how she started her career.

Associations and resources

By studying this course, you will be able to access a number of tools and online resources to support your learning. These include:

• Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) - CIOL representatives will host a presentation (either on-campus or online) giving tips on how to start your career as a linguist, updates on CIOL activities and membership options. You'll also be able to access The Linguist, CIOL’s publication
• Conférence Internationale Permanente d'Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes (CIUTI) - This course is recognised by CIUTI for its quality and relevance. You will have access to the latest developments in the interpreting and translation professions
• Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) - You will receive information about the only UK-based independent professional membership association for translators, interpreters and all those involved in supplying language services
• National Network for Interpreting (NNI) - Use of educational resources available on the NNI website
• National Network for Translation (NNT) - You will be notified about national and regional events, and other related activities

You will normally need one of the following:

• IELTS: 7.5 overall with no less than 7 in the speaking component and no less than 6.5 in the writing, listening and reading components
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 73 overall with no less than 65 in the speaking element and no less than 58 in the writing, listening and reading elements
• TOEFL IBT: 108 overall with a minimum of 27 in the speaking component and a minimum of 24 in the writing, listening and reading components.

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

Find out what our graduates go on to do.