Interpreting MA Newcastle University

Join our experts and discover your future with Newcastle University

Gain industry-relevant skills and knowledge in Simultaneous Interpreting, Consecutive Interpreting, Public Service Interpreting and Remote Interpreting. Our Interpreting MA uses English and Chinese as working languages.

This Interpreting MA course will prepare you for a professional interpreting career.

Our lecturers have a wealth of professional experience, both in-house and freelance. You’ll learn how theory and practice intersect in interpreting. You will hone the skills you need to excel in your chosen professional domain.

You’ll train at our state-of-art conference interpreting suite. You’ll also benefit from both our industry experience and established connections.

This Interpreting MA course has two stages with each stage lasting one year.

You can:

• study for two years - In your first year, you will join the Translating and Interpreting MA. Then in your second year, you will take the Interpreting MA pathway.
• study for one year - You will join the Interpreting MA directly at Stage 2. This option will depend on your prior experience and qualifications.

In Stage 2, you can choose to follow another of our pathways if your interests or aspirations change:

• Translating and Interpreting MA
• Translating MA
• Translation Studies MA

• 1st in the UK and 8th in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022
• 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 125 University - QS World University Rankings 2023
• Global Top 140 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023

What you'll learn

Stage 1

You'll gain a thorough grounding in translation and interpreting skills and techniques. You will take Consecutive Interpreting, Sight Translation and Simultaneous Interpreting modules.

Stage 2

In the second year of the Interpreting MA, you'll develop more advanced skill sets. You will learn about specialised areas of interpreting with more demanding industry requirements.

You'll acquire high-quality interpreting skills in spoken rather than written transfer. You will have an expert understanding of mainstream interpreting and remote interpreting technologies.

Depending on your interests, you may take further optional modules that cover:

• Subtitle and Video Game Translation
• Literary Translation
• Translating for a Big Institution
• Translating for Singing
• Legal Translation

In the summer, you will complete either a dissertation or an interpreting project. The project consists of an interpreting assignment and an academic commentary.

Compulsory Modules

• Translating I (Chinese to English) 20
• Translating I (English to Chinese) 20
• Simultaneous Interpreting 1 10
• Sight Translation 10
• Consecutive Interpreting I 20
• Consecutive Interpreting II 20
• Simultaneous Interpreting II 20
• Public Service Interpreting 20
• Research Methods in Translating and Interpreting 10
• Profession, Processes and Society in Translating & Interpreting 20

Optional Modules

• Chinese to/from English Subtitle and Video Game Translation 20
• Technology in Interpreting 10
• Key Concepts in Corporate and Commercial Law 10
• Translation for Singing 20
• Translation Studies I 10
• Fundamentals of Legal Translation 10
• Literary Translation 10
• Translating for a Big Institution. The EU - A Case Study 10
• Localisation: Practice and Theory 10
• Dissertation 60
• Translating/Interpreting Project 60

Our Interpreting graduates use their linguistic, IT, and interpersonal skills, and cultural knowledge in a range of sectors.

Conference Interpreting careers

• in-house simultaneous and/or consecutive interpreter for international organisations and corporations
• in-house linguist, providing support on a range of interpreting and translation projects
• freelance self-employed interpreter
• event/conference planner
• conference interpreting trainers and instructors