Skip to main content

Interpreting and Translating MA

1 year full-time French and Spanish, starting in September 2025

Acquire the skills needed to become a professional interpreter and translator in a range of European languages on this practical and respected master’s course.

Our MA in Interpreting and Translating will equip you with a joint qualification in both disciplines. This will prepare you to work as a conference interpreter and professional translator.

You’ll learn from highly experienced tutors who work or have previously worked as professional translators and interpreters. Some have interpreted for heads of state and government ministers, and most work for international organisations alongside teaching. You'll benefit from their wealth of experience and contemporary knowledge.

Watch our recent webinar about this course

Course pathways

The course offers two pathways:

  • Path 1 (French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish): You’ll translate and interpret two different languages into English. You must have a perfect command of English and an excellent understanding of the two languages you choose
  • Path 2 (Chinese/English): You’ll work in both directions between Chinese (Mandarin) and English. You must have an excellent command of Chinese and English.

A course designed for linguists

Bath has offered this master’s for more than 50 years and has built longstanding links with international organisations like the United Nations and European Union. We make use of these links to keep our course up to date with the professional world and to set up external training opportunities where possible.

You will have access to our professional-grade interpreting labs. These are equipped with interpreter consoles and microphones, interpreter booths, and online conference facilities. Access to these labs is exclusive to students studying interpreting courses.

As well as the labs, you may also use the on-campus TV studio for some units and tasks.

What you’ll learn

You'll develop key skills in professional translation and both conference interpreting (consecutive and simultaneous) and public service interpreting.

To help you achieve these skills, you will:

  • have access to our professional-grade interpreting labs for classwork and independent study. This is exclusive to students studying interpreting courses with us
  • participate in ‘mini conferences’ to put your skills into practice. You’ll take part in debates about political and societal topics, acting as both delegate and interpreter
  • choose from a host of optional and extra-curricular units tailor the course to your own strengths or to explore new areas of study

Gain important career skills and experience

Upon completion of this course, you will have acquired:

  • the written and verbal skills to work with varied and challenging texts and speeches to a professional standard
  • experience of working to deadlines and using style guides
  • contacts with potential employers and colleagues from your external training
  • access to our close-knit alumni network of linguists who work in international organisations, private bodies and independent agencies
  • translation skills, which you’ll demonstrate during the dissertation/project you complete at the end of the taught part of the course
  • a greater level of intercultural awareness, which is important for working in an international role

Training opportunities

Where possible, we use our extensive network of contacts to organise external training opportunities. These are often with the language services of international organisations, government departments or translation companies.

These opportunities can provide you with invaluable insights into the work of professional linguists and are highly valued by employers. However, they are not compulsory or guaranteed. Your language combination and your progress on the course will be considered, along with any other relevant information, when matching you with potential training opportunities.

If you do undertake additional training, you’ll be able to hone your skills as a linguist by carrying out authentic tasks and receiving direct feedback from experts in the field.

Our students have previously undertaken training with many organisations, including:

  • the United Nations
  • institutions of the European Union
  • the Council of Europe

Find out more about our latest summer course, which gave students the chance to connect with experienced staff interpreters from organisations like the European Union and the United Nations

Extracurricular activities

You'll also have the opportunity to attend talks or extracurricular units to enhance your core learning. These will cover a range of topics such as law, economics and current affairs.

In addition to this, we regularly invite speakers and trainers from the course’s professional network to deliver career-focused talks and additional training sessions.

Graduate prospects

Our MA Interpreting and Translating is a vocational course with an excellent international reputation. Many of our graduates have gone on to work in a range of interpreting and translating roles. Others have used the transferable skills gained to pursue further study or careers in teaching, publishing, and design.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for:

  • Foreign Office
  • UEFA
  • GCHQ
  • European Parliament
  • European Commission
  • International Court of Justice
  • European Court of Auditors
  • International Union of Railways
  • Universal Postal Union
  • United Nations

MA Interpreting and Translating graduate Elizabeth Black is a Staff Interpreter at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Interpretation and has been working as a professional interpreter for more than ten years. Read more about her time at Bath and how she started her career.

Associations and resources

By studying this course, you will be able to access a number of tools and online resources to support your learning. These include:

2025/26 Academic Year


Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 1 year. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.


Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Year 1

Semester 1

You’ll choose 20 credits of optional units across Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Compulsory units

  • French to English consecutive interpreting

    5 credits

  • French to English simultaneous interpreting

    5 credits

  • French to English translation

    10 credits

  • Spanish to English consecutive interpreting

    5 credits

  • Spanish to English simultaneous interpreting

    5 credits

  • Spanish to English translation

    10 credits

Optional units

  • Enterprise skills for linguists

    5 credits

  • Public speaking

    5 credits

Semester 2

You’ll choose 20 credits of optional units across Semester 1 and Semester 2. You can only choose one public service and commercial interpreting unit.

Compulsory units

  • French to English consecutive interpreting

    Continued

  • French to English simultaneous interpreting

    Continued

  • French to English translation

    Continued

  • Spanish to English consecutive interpreting

    Continued

  • Spanish to English simultaneous interpreting

    Continued

  • Spanish to English translation

    Continued

Optional units

  • French / English public service and commercial interpreting

    5 credits

  • Spanish / English public service and commercial interpreting

    5 credits

  • Translation technology

    5 credits

  • Translation theory and practice

    10 credits

Summer

Compulsory units

  • Dissertation or project

    30 credits

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.


Learning

  • Video materials
  • Laboratory sessions
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Dissertation
  • Examinations
  • Oral assessment

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

You are expected to spend approximately 35 hours per week studying, with around 10 of those hours being structured classes.

Structured classes will be made up of a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, language laboratory sessions, and tutorials. You will work as an individual and as part of small groups.

Assessment breakdown

You will experience a balance of different forms of assessment designed to support your professional development. This will include coursework, examinations, oral assessments, and a dissertation.

You will receive formative (unassessed) feedback on your progress in preparation for your graded assessments.

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities. Read our Disability Service’s pages for information.

Recognition of professional qualifications


As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

‘Interpreting isn’t just word-for-word translations; there’s an emphasis on the course on being able to extrapolate a clear, concise message and communicate that’
Rory Daly MA Interpreting and Translating (Graduating year, 2023)

Entry requirements


Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

You should have a bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a 2:1 or above.

To apply for the European Stream you will need mother tongue competence in English and degree-level competence in two foreign languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian).

Candidates will complete aptitude tests for translating and interpreting to assess their suitability for the course.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in an English speaking country you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

English language requirements

You will normally need one of the following:

  • IELTS: 7.5 overall with no less than 7 in the speaking component and no less than 6.5 in the writing, listening and reading components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 73 overall with no less than 65 in the speaking element and no less than 58 in the writing, listening and reading elements
  • TOEFL IBT: 108 overall with a minimum of 27 in the speaking component and a minimum of 24 in the writing, listening and reading components.

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Interpreting and Translating MA full-time French and Spanish


Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Extra costs

If you receive an offer, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 when you accept to secure your place. This will be deducted from your tuition fee when you register.

There is a one-off application fee of £50, payable during the online application process through the online store.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans.

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back. Read more about bursaries and scholarships.

European Commission bursaries

Once you’ve been accepted to study this course, you may be eligible to apply for a European Commission bursary. You must be a national of an EU Member State to apply. Find out more about these bursaries.

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options.

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of text books.

Travel costs

If you choose to pursue a training opportunity outside of the course, you will be responsible for any travel or accommodation costs.

Application information


  • Course title
    Interpreting and Translating
  • Final award
    MA
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    TDUPL-IT01
  • Department
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    13 August 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full.

  • Overseas application deadline
    30 June 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full. We may consider late applications but if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need time to apply for and receive your visa to be in the UK by the start of the course.

  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator

Course enquiries