(Full time) 2023 start
Conference Interpreting PGDip
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
Develop high-level interpreting and translation skills on this challenging course, where you’ll use state-of-the-art technology to gain the knowledge base and practical skills to succeed in the language services industry.
You’ll gain essential skills in interpreting, analysis, active listening and note-taking, then build on this foundation by practising specialised consecutive and simultaneous interpreting in our conference interpreting facilities. You can also choose from optional modules informed by the leading research of our staff such as genre analysis, corpus linguistics, computer-assisted translation and machine translation.
As a programme included in the AIIC Interpreting Schools & Programmes Directory, the Leeds interpreting course follows best practices that are recommended by AIIC (the International Association of Conference Interpreters). The University of Leeds is also a partner university of the Directorate-Generale for Interpretation of both the European Parliament and the European Commission. We enjoy close ties with international organisations including the UN.
Centre for Translation Studies
As a proud member of CIUTI (Conférence internationale permanente d'instituts universitaires de traducteurs et interprètes), the Centre for Translation Studies benefits from excellent facilities and resources to support your studies. Our conference interpreting facilities are equipped with single and double interpreter booths, and a video link to practise remote interpreting. The Electronic Resources and Information Centre (ERIC) will be the centre of your translation work, complete with 59 high-spec PCs and a wide range of specialist software for translation and subtitling.
The Centre for Translation Studies benefits from close links with organisations such as the Institute for Translation and Interpreting as well as the EU and UN (in Geneva and Vienna). This programme is regulated by a Memorandum of Understanding between the University and the Directorate General for Interpretation and Conferences of the European Parliament – a testament to our success in training conference interpreters.
It’s a great opportunity to prepare for a career in the language services industry in a city that’s full of cultural and linguistic diversity.
Course content
As a distinctive professional interpreter programme well-known for its long history and fine tradition, this course will provide language specialists, from the UK and abroad, who meet the entry requirements and pass the aptitude tests, with conference interpreting training in both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting skills and in acquiring subject matter knowledge of a wide range areas such as international affairs, politics, international business and science and technology.
The intensive professional training will enable students to develop professional interpreting competence that are highly valued in major international, governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as in commerce, diplomacy, industry and the academic world.
It will also provide specialised translation training as well as an introduction to translation theory and research methods. If you’re studying with English and two passive foreign languages (ACC), all your interpreting modules will provide training INTO English. If you’re training with English and a single, active foreign language (AB), you will train to interpret INTO and FROM English. We don’t offer training in any combination of languages that doesn’t include your first language.
Please see our interpreting language table for a list of available language pairs.
The Conference Interpreting programme has two language combination pathways: Conference Interpreting (ACC) and Conference Interpreting (AB). For example, ‘Conference Interpreting (AB), Chinese/English’, or ‘Conference Interpreting (ACC), English/French/Spanish’.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Interpreting Skills: Consecutive and Simultaneous 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Translation for International Organisations (English-Arabic) 15 credits
- Methods and Approaches in Translation Studies 30 credits
- Introduction to Screen Translation 15 credits
- Corpus Linguistics for Translators 15 credits
- English for Translators 15 credits
- Rhetoric and Public Speaking 15 credits
- Genres in Translation 15 credits
- Introduction to Legal Translation 15 credits
- International Organisations: Context, Theory and Practice 15 credits
- Principles and Applications of Machine Translation 15 credits
- Literary Translation 15 credits
- Writing for Professional Purposes 15 credits
- Specialised French-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised German-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Italian-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Portuguese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Russian-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Spanish-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised English-Arabic Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised French-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised German-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Italian-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Portuguese-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Russian-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Spanish-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised English-Arabic Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Arabic-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised English-Chinese Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Arabic-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised English-Chinese Translation B 15 credits
- Respeaking: Reporting And Live Subtitling 15 credits
- Specialised Chinese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Japanese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Japanese-English Translation B 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: Portuguese 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: German 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: Italian 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: Spanish 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: Chinese 15 credits
- Simultaneous Interpreting: French 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - Portuguese 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - German 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - Italian 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - Spanish 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - Chinese 15 credits
- Consecutive Interpreting - French 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - Portuguese 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - German 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - Italian 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - Spanish 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - Chinese 15 credits
- Advanced Consecutive Interpreting - French 15 credits
- Retour Interpreting: Consecutive 15 credits
- Advanced Retour Interpreting: Simultaneous 15 credits
Learning and teaching
Our interpreting trainers are practising professionals with experience of working in international organisations, as well as on the private market. We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you benefit from their expertise including workshops, lectures, seminars, practicals and other supervised practice. Independent study is also an important part of the programme.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
For interpreting modules, live interpreting performance will be the primary means of assessment. For translation and other modules, you will be assessed using a wide range of methods. Translation tests are an important element, as are essays together with individual and team projects.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (Hons). We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines. Applicants are required to have an excellent command of English and one or more foreign languages. Applicants will be interviewed and undertake translation tests in their chosen languages.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in Reading and Writing and 7.5 in Speaking and Listening.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.How to apply
Applications will not be considered until required documents (including evidence of meeting the English language requirements) have been submitted.
Applicants must meet the English language requirement, submit their application and submit all required supporting documents by the course deadline:
• Overseas applicants studying Chinese as a working language: 31st March
• Home applicants studying Chinese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish: 24th August
• Overseas applicants studying French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish: 31st August
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you'll need
You must upload the following documents before we will assess your application:
- Official degree certificate(s) and transcript of marks or enrolment certificate and partial transcript of marks
- Evidence of English language proficiency
- Translation Test(s) (optional)
This course does not require you to take modules in specialised translation, however, if you wish to enrol on these you must complete the corresponding translation test(s), i.e.:
- AB pathway with French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish: submit the relevant translation test into English.
- AB pathway Chinese-English: submit both “Chinese into English” and “English into Chinese” translation tests.
- ACC pathway (all languages): submit translation tests from each ‘C’ language into English.
Applicants are not required to submit a supporting statement, though one may be requested if further information is needed.
The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures receives very large numbers of high-quality applications and regrets that it cannot make offers to all of its applicants. Some particularly popular schools may have to reject many that hold the necessary academic qualifications.
If you require any further information, please contact the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Taught Postgraduate Admissions Office.
Email: lcspg@leeds.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)113 343 0233 or +44 (0)113 343 3234
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Fees
- UK: £8,167 (total)
- International: £15,500 (total)
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate qualifications from the Centre for Translation Studies are prestigious and respected. They equip you with valuable skills to succeed in a thriving and competitive industry, as well as advanced communication, research, IT and analytical skills.
Graduates from our interpreting programmes are working in some of the world’s leading government bodies, media organisations, NGOs, private companies and international political organisations. These include the BBC, UN, EU, World Bank, World Trade Organization, SAP and translation companies such as thebigword and SDL.
Careers support
We work alongside you to support you in developing and then achieving your career goals. You’ll discuss your customised personal development plan with your personal tutor.
In addition you’ll have the chance to attend our Research and Professionalisation Talks by visiting speakers, many of whom are currently practising translators, interpreters, project managers and subtitlers for some of the world’s largest organisations.
Read more about Careers and Employability.