MSc Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting
Heriot-Watt University's Masters degree in Interpreting and Translating is the most established in Scotland and this programme allows those with proficient ability in Chinese and English to develop professional translation and interpreting skills.
September 2024 entry
The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.
MSc Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting
MSc Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting is a twin-focus masters degree which will prepare you for an exciting, international career as a professional translator and interpreter from Chinese-English and vice-versa.
This specialist programme develops a necessary balance of theoretical knowledge and professional language skills, with options to study intercultural communication or international politics and organisations alongside your translation and interpreting courses.
Professional skills
Studying MSc Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting at Heriot-Watt University will give you access to our excellent facilities, which include professional-standard translation and interpreting labs.
You will be taught by professional interpreters and translators and your learning will focus on developing a professional expertise in areas such as:
Technical and scientific translation
Subtitling and audio-visual translation
Use of Computer Aided Translation tools
Sight translation
Simultaneous interpreting
Consecutive interpreting and note taking
You will develop these skills to a proficient standard and learn about the different approaches and skillsets required from interpreters when working in distinct professional contexts such as healthcare, court and legal, educational and conference interpreting.
Professional-standard classrooms
Our state-of-the-art language labs and suite of simultaneous interpreting booths will provide you with the ideal setting in which to perfect your translating and interpreting skills to professional standards.
Our Interpreting Booths are modelled on those used by the United Nations, the European Union and the Scottish Parliament, whilst Translation Labs provide access to industry-standard software such as TRADOS, a computer aided translation memory tool and WinCAPS, the professional subtitling tool.
Your practical interpreting and translating skills will be developed through a combination of practice seminars, lectures, masterclasses, and workshops and virtual classes delivered by our external partners. In addition to regular practice seminars in your chosen language combinations, you will attend mock conferences throughout semester 2 to practice simultaneous interpreting, relay, event chairing and public speaking for a real audience including lecturers and peers.
You will also fine-tune your conference interpreting skills on a larger scale at the annual Heriot-Watt University Multilingual Debate. This is a formal debate between two multilingual teams which is watched by thousands of school-aged languages pupils from across the United Kingdom.
Taught by the experts
You will be taught by a team of highly-qualified researchers, educators and practising professionals who bring knowledge, expertise and guidance to the classroom.
A true blend of academic and professional expertise helps our programme maintain its position at the fore-front of industry practice and means you gain practical insights into the careers of successful interpreters and translators on a daily basis.
Links with industry
By studying on our MSc Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting you will gain access to an ever-growing international network of employers who recognise the high standard of skills and expertise of Interpreting and Translating graduates.
These industry links contribute to our SWATI Day (Starting Work as a Translator or Interpreter), an industry-focussed conference which brings key figures from industry to Heriot-Watt University for a day of professional guidance and networking.
Graduate destinations
This degree has a strong focus on career preparation, so our graduates are sought after and respected across the translation and interpreting industries.
Recent graduates from our interpreting and translation degrees have progressed to the following careers:
In-house translator
Freelance conference interpreter
Founder of translation and interpreting agency
Courtroom interpreter
National Health Service interpreting head
You will also be equipped with the transferable skills and qualities necessary to build successful careers as project managers, copywriters, editors, media specialists and educators, especially in settings where Chinese language and intercultural knowledge is beneficial.
Campus Information
Edinburgh Campus
Our Edinburgh Campus is truly international. Over 10,500 staff and students are based here, with around a third of them coming from outside the UK. Our international students find a warm and friendly welcome and all the support they might need.
Intakes
- Jan
- Sep
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Employers around the world actively seek out our graduates. This is because they are work ready. All our degrees are career-focused and relevant to the needs of business and industry.
We are known for our applied teaching and research, informed and shaped by real world needs. We placed 1st in Scotland and 2nd in the UK graduate employability, with over 84% of our graduates in full-time employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes survey, 2024).
At Heriot-Watt you will learn from world leading academics at the forefront of their specialisms.
You'll enjoy a distinctive, high quality academic experience focused on developing your skills and knowledge to help you transition smoothly into the world of work at the end of your studies.
We offer many specialist programmes and all of our degrees are structured so that you can, as far as possible, customise them to suit your specific interests and career aspirations.
Heriot-Watt boasts extensive links with business and industry. We are known for our excellent industrial placements and companies often approach us directly seeking students for work placements or employment.
Our degrees are career-focused and relevant to the needs of business and industry. Employers actively seek out our graduates as our degrees are highly regarded for their relevance to the world of work. Many of our degrees are accredited by professional bodies.
The University's Careers Advisory Service is available throughout your studies, ensuring you have the skills you need to successfully market yourself to future employers.
PSW Opportunity
- 2 Years PSW is applicable after completing a minimum duration of 9 months course (like- Undergraduate, Postgraduate Level)
- 3 Years PSW is applicable after completing PhD level courses.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
FOR INDIA
- For most of our Masters level programmes we require a good first degree in a relevant subject. From most Indian Universities, this means an overall score of 55% or above.
- We will consider students whose grades are slightly lower than this (52% or above) Universities of Delhi/ Mumbai/ Calcutta/ Madras/ Pune/ Bangalore/ Rajasthan and this will depend on other factors, such as any relevant work experience, the quality of the references you can provide etc.
FOR PAKISTAN
- A four-year bachelors degree in a relevant subject from an HEC recognised institution in Pakistan with 60% or above, will be considered.
FOR NEPAL
- Students holding a bachelors degree of minimum four years duration in a relevant subject would be eligible for Masters level study.
FOR BANGLADESH
- Students with a masters degree following a 3 or 4 year bachelors degree, are eligible to apply. Previous study should be in a relevant subject area and a score of 60% or above is required.
FOR SRI LANKA
- A Bachelors special degree in a relevant subject with 60% or higher.
PTE Academic 60 (minimum 59) 65 (minimum 59) 65 (minimum 59) 68 (minimum 63) 73 (minimum 67)
TOEFL iBT 72 (Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17) 79 (Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 21) 79 (Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 21) 85 (Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 20, Writing 21) 90 (Reading 22, Listening 21, Speaking 23, Writing 23)
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Masters/PG Degree
- Duration: 01 Year
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Total Tuition Fee:
20376 GBP
Average Cost of Living: 13632 GBP /year
Application Fee: N/A