MA Interpreting and Translation, Mandarin and English

Key information

Degree

Types of study

Full time

Duration

12 months full-time

Start date

September each year

Faculty

Education and English / Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Entry requirements

Course Requirements: Open to graduates who have a first degree (BA) in any subject and very strong English and Chinese language skills. Applicants with English as a second language should have a good undergraduate degree. Applicants with Chinese as a second language should have a degree at 2:1 level (or international equivalent) and a level of competence in written and spoken Chinese equivalent to advanced level HSK.

English Language Requirements: Applicants whose first language is not English, and who do not have a degree from a UK institution, are required to have the following English language qualifications before they can register on an academic programme:

IELTS: 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in each element) or
PTE Academic: 71 (minimum 65) or
TOEFL (IBT): 90 (minimum 19 in Writing and Listening, 20 in Reading and 22 in Speaking)

Applicants with Chinese as a second language should have a high level of competence in written and spoken Chinese, with an HSK score of 6.

Interview Arrangements: All applicants must also complete an interview with the course admissions tutor. To qualify for an interview, students must achieve the minimum entry criteria of IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than IELTS 6.0 in each of the individual bandings.

Applicants whose overall IELTS score at point of application is 6.0, may, at the discretion of the admissions tutor, be offered an interview to gauge their general aptitude and suitability for taking part in the course.

Please check interview rubric before you attend interview.

Please note the number of places is limited, and applicants need to provide requested valid IELTS score as soon as possible to secure interview opportunities.

Course overview

The MA is designed for native speakers of Chinese who have a high level of competence in English and wish to develop this further. It is also open to speakers of other languages than English and Chinese who have a high level of competence in both English and Chinese. The MA combines the theoretical, technological and practical training necessary for effective translation between English and Chinese. It also offers training and practice in bi-lateral interpreting between the two languages. The programme is structured around a range of compulsory and elective modules. The compulsory modules provide the core skills and knowledge needed for translation and interpreting across a wide range of subjects, including the basic concepts of translation and interpreting theory.

The degree aims to train students who already possess high-level English and Mandarin language skills to professional levels of competence in interpreting and translation. Graduates from the programme will be capable of interpreting across a wide range of subjects involving dialogues at specialist consultations and presentations by consecutive mode. Subject to performance in Semester 1, students will have the practice in simultaneous interpreting. Graduates will be capable of translating across a wide range of subjects and have a sound conceptual understanding of the material being translated.

The programme will raise students' language skills to a higher level, introduce students to interpreting and translation theory, new technologies for translating and interpreting, key concepts of economics and business, technology, the media and culture. Teaching will be enhanced with input from professional and experienced interpreters and translators.

Course structure

The programme is made up of core modules in the theory and practice of translation and interpreting. In addition, students may take optional modules in translation and interpreting in different subject areas. In the second semester, students will continue with both translation and interpreting but they will have the opportunity to specialise in one or the other through the Advanced Translation or the Advanced Interpreting modules. Admission to the modules will be subject to performance in the Professional Translation or Professional Interpreting modules in semester 1. Students will write a dissertation or complete an interpreting or translation project for submission in late August. While opportunities of on-campus internship in translation and interpreting are abundant at this international campus, students will also be recommended to undertake internships in public service sectors or private companies.

Year 1 modules

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Please note that the programme specifications for the academic year 2026/27 are still being finalised. In the meantime, the 2025/26 version can be used as a reference. Updates will be provided once the final version is available.

ACADEMIC YEAR 2025-2026

Compulsory

Students must take all modules in this group.

Code	Title	Credits	Taught
EDEN4027	Translation Studies: Theories and Methodologies	20	Autumn
EDEN4028	Professional Translation	20	Autumn
EDEN4017	Dissertation (MA IT)	60	Summer
EDEN4029	Professional Interpreting	20	Spring

Restricted - Group 1

Students must take a minimum of 20 credits and a maximum of 40 credits from this group.

Code	Title	Credits	Taught
EDEN4003	English for Academic & Specific Purposes	20	Spring
EDEN4024	Language and Intercultural Communication	20	Spring
EDEN4026	Community and Public Service Interpreting	20	Autumn
EDEN4033	Interpreting and Translation in Science and Technology	20	Autumn
EDEN4037	Language in a Globalized Society	20	Spring
EDEN4035	Teaching Young Learners	20	Spring
EDEN4000	The Language Learner and Language Learning	20	Spring
EDEN4038	Second Language Acquisition	20	Spring

Restricted - Group 2

Students must choose to take a minimum of 20 credits and a maximum of 40 credits from this group.

Code	Title	Credits	Taught
EDEN4030	Advanced Translation	20	Spring
EDEN4031	Advanced Interpreting	20	Spring

Please note that the structure of this degree and its modules may be subject to change.

Careers and further study

Our Careers Development Service will work with you to explore your options. They will invite you to attend recruitment events featuring potential employers, and will suggest further opportunities, such as relevant work experience placements and skills workshops.