Overview

This degree is for applicants with a high level of English and Mandarin proficiency who are not afraid of a challenge. The MSc Interpreting builds a highly versatile portfolio of skills that provide an entryway into the world of professional interpreting and related fields such as international business. Native English students may have an undergraduate degree in Chinese Studies or experience working in China for example, while native Mandarin speakers might have come from a variety of undergraduate disciplinary backgrounds while having developed an advanced level of English.

Students will be trained bi-directionally in consecutive, simultaneous, and liaison interpreting working with native experts in English and Mandarin. Through exercises such as shadowing, mock conferences, simulated interpreting exercises and live field trips, you will learn the techniques and develop the skills necessary for professional interpreting work. In addition, the course engages with content such as the basics of business management, international affairs, training in the use of augmented-intelligence technologies, trauma-informed methodologies, models of communication, and text-based translation.

As essential participants in cross-cultural and multilingual interactions, interpreters can be found at every level of global society. More than just linguistic intermediaries, interpreters interface with a broad range of scenarios, from grief counselling in the medical field to the highest level of international diplomacy between world leaders through institutions such as the International Atomic Energy Agency. Interpreters represent not only the most proficient experts in multiple languages, but also those who develop a unique multidisciplinary understanding and ability to perform under extremely high-pressure conditions.

While traditional interpreter training has focused mainly on interpreting skills, our programme takes things one step further by directly engaging with the secondary competencies which are often displayed by experienced interpreters but are seldom taught systematically at postgraduate level. By offering training in areas such as psychometrics and negotiation, the MSc Interpreting curriculum branches into subjects that build students' understanding and confidence across a range of parallel fields.

The structure of the course allows for students to specialise in different directions in the second semester as their understanding of their future career goals continues to develop with the help of their personal tutor. Some will prefer to choose to major exclusively in interpreting disciplines, while others may wish to branch out into audiovisual translation or lay a foundation for PhD study and a career involving academic research.

Programme structure

In the first semester, students take three core units covering practical translation and interpreting skills; technological and business fluency; and the role of language professionals in international affairs. The expertise of the core teaching team is supplemented by contributions from guest lecturers from across industry and international organisations, allowing students to expand their knowledge in new areas with input from both cutting-edge researchers and professionals.

With a mixture of lectures, seminars, and practical skills workshops, the classroom experience is collaborative and dynamic, and students will develop a professional development plan that tracks progress throughout their studies in subject-specific and transferable skills.

Practical interpretation training covers the whole range of modes, such as consecutive, simultaneous, and liaison interpreting, while also developing enhanced memory and presentation skills. Activities are designed to be engaging and foster peer support. Personal tutoring is a key component, with tutors who are professional interpreters guiding students through their personal development journey.

All students take Simultaneous Interpreting and Augmented Intelligence Technologies in the second semester, accompanied by a choice of two other units specialising in commercial and/or public service interpreting disciplines, with an option to branch out into other related fields such as Film or Games Localisation with optional units drawn from the MA Chinese-English Translation programme.

The final dissertation offers options for traditional research, practice-based projects, or work-study projects involving summer internships.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc Interpreting. 

Entry requirements

For native Chinese speakers, you will typically need a strong upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in any subject.

For non-native Chinese speakers, you will typically need a strong second-class honours degree or international equivalent in Chinese Studies (or similar), or completion of a full undergraduate or postgraduate programme at a prestigious Chinese institution.

Non-native Chinese speakers who have not completed a Chinese/Mandarin bachelor's may be required to demonstrate proficiency through a translation test.

Non-traditional qualifications/routes may also be considered.

For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies.

We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree.

We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:

  • Evidence of significant, relevant work experience. For native Chinese speakers: the work experience should be relevant to English language used at a professional level (eg international sales, marketing). For non-native Chinese speakers: work experience should be relevant to Chinese language (eg working as a translator or for a company using Chinese). A translation test may be used to determine proficiency.
  • A relevant postgraduate qualification.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

Home: full-time
£13,200 per year
Overseas: full-time
£32,500 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and scholarships

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.