Master of Translation and Interpreting

Prepare to connect cultures as a highly skilled professional.

The Master of Translation and Interpreting will give you the practical, theoretical and academic training you need to work at the heart of cross-cultural communication.

Gain practical experience in both written and oral translation between English and Chinese languages. Learn from leading academics with diverse research interests who are also practising translators. Access the intellectual resources of Australia’s number one university, including the Asia Institute.

You’ll study alongside peers in intensive small-group classes and undertake autonomous study as you build your capabilities across all aspects of the modern translation and interpreting industries. Your training will include how to use translation technologies in your translation and interpreting practice.

You’ll be able to tailor your studies to match your career goals through our strong focus on specialisations. You’ll become a specialist in your chosen field, including business and commerce, journalistic writing, political and governmental language, or literary writing.

You’ll also build practical experience throughout your studies – from reading and translating documents to working through simulated interpreting scenarios. You’ll learn not just how to translate, but how to think critically about what you’re translating.

As you finish your degree, you’ll prepare for the next stage of your career through one of the program’s capstone streams, including choices for industry experience or a research pathway.

You’ll graduate with extensive bilingual skills, cross-cultural expertise, and a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and knowledge – ready to become one of the highly skilled professionals who will mediate international relations over the coming decades.

Who is this course for?

The Master of Translation and Interpreting is designed for Chinese-English bilinguals who intend to work as professional translators and interpreters in professional roles that demand high-level translation, interpreting and intercultural skills. Students with an undergraduate degree in a related discipline may be given advance standing.

You could work in fields including government, business, commerce, law, international relations, or specialised technical areas.

Accreditation

The Master of Translation and Interpreting is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) at the levels of Certified Translator, Certified Advanced Translator, Certified Provisional Interpreter, Certified Interpreter, and Certified (Specialist) Legal Interpreter.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• English language test score requirements

• If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

  IELTS

  6.5

  ---

  with no band less than 6.0

  TOEFL

  79+

  ---

  with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13

  PEARSON

  64+

  ---

  with no communicative skill below 60

  CAMBRIDGE

  176+

  ---

  with no skill less than 169

  *Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

  In addition to meeting English language requirements, you must also be at native or near-native competency in the Chinese language.

About selection