A6007 Master of Interpreting and Translation Studies

The course is structured in four parts: Part A. Foundation study, Part B. Principal study, Part C. Applied study, and Part D. Specialist study.

Part A. Foundation study

The focus of these studies is the theory and practice of translation and interpreting, familiarising you with current research models and methodologies in translation studies.

Part B. Principal study

These studies draw on best practices within interpreting and translation fields, providing intensive language-specific practice in written and oral transfer skills at a level required for certification by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). In addition to the relevant theoretical frameworks, the core units will also provide you with the discourse analysis, ethical and professional frameworks that are essential for professional interpreting and translation practice.

Part C. Applied study

The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development or a research pathway. Students in the interpreting and translation stream will also develop advanced skills in specialised fields of interpreting.

Part D. Specialist study

Select from a range of options designed to enhance specific knowledge and skills in interpreting and translation and related fields, including a suite of professional enhancement offerings to build essential competencies for your career pathway. 

Master's entry points

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

• If you are admitted at entry level 1 you complete 96 credit points, comprising Part. A, Part. B, Part. C, and Part. D.
• If you are admitted at entry level 2 you complete 84 credit points, comprising Part. A, Part. B, and Part. C.
• If you are at Southeast University, China you are also admitted at entry level 1 and complete 96 credit points comprising block credit for master's-level study at Southeast University (48 credit points) and all of Part. B and Part. C (b.) (12 credit points).

Course progression maps

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

If you are eligible to enrol in the 1.75-year entry point, you have the option of completing this course intensively over a 12-month period by following the intensive course progression map.

Follow this course progression map for the Master of Interpreting and Translation Studies (Joint award with South East University).

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete the higher credit-point options.

Work Integrated Learning
The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) component is embedded into the academic program and also included in the professional internship.  WIL is aimed at helping you gain real world experiences in the Translation and Interpreting (T&I) industry. By working with professionals in the industry and/or alongside professionals who frequently use interpreters and translators, you will develop useful skills and a better understanding of ways in which theory relates to practice. Employers participating in the WIL may also become a useful recruitment resource for graduates of the program.

There are two streams in this course: Interpreting and Translation Stream and Translation Only Stream. The course comprises 96 points structured into four parts: Part A. Foundation study (24 points), Part B. Principal study (36 points), Part C. Applied study (24 points) and Part D. Specialist study (12 points).

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Foundation study (24 points)

Translation

a. You must complete the following units (12 points):

• APG5875 Introduction to translation studies
• APG5677 Professional ethics

b. You must complete one or two units (12 points) from Part. D

Note: Students enrolled in the translation stream must enrol in APG5875 and APG5601 concurrently (Semester 1 entry) or APG5875 and APG5603 concurrently (Semester 2 entry). 

Interpreting and translation

You must complete the following units (24 points):

• APG5875 Introduction to translation studies
• APG5677 Professional ethics
• APG5049 Theory and practice of interpreting (12 points)

Note: Students enrolled in the combined interpreting and translation stream must complete APG5875 prior to enrolling in APG5603 or APG5601.

Part B. Principal study (36 points)

Translation

a. You must complete the following units (24 points):

• APG5601 Medical and scientific translation
• APG5602 Legal and financial translation
• APG5603 Translating in global markets
• APG5604 Professional translation practices

b. You must complete two units (12 points) from the following:

• APG5608 Translating literary and cultural narratives
• APG5611 Screen translation
• APG5876 Online collaborative translation practices

Interpreting and translation

You must complete the following units (36 points):

• APG5885 Advanced interpreting (12 points)
• APG5601 Medical and scientific translation
• APG5602 Legal and financial translation
• APG5603 Translating in global markets
• APG5604 Professional translation practices

Part C. Applied study (24 points)

Translation

a. You must complete one of the following capstone units:

• APG5044 Professional internship (12 points)
• APG5969 Advanced application simulation (12 points)
• APG5883 Major Translation Project (12 points)*

b. You must complete one or two units (12 points) from the following:

• APG5155 Designing research in the humanities and social sciences (12 points)*
• APG5966 Academic and professional presentation skills
• APG5470 Managing multicultural teams
• APG5471 Leadership in intercultural environments
• APG5967 Professional enhancement A
• APG5968 Professional enhancement B (12 points)

*APG5155 is a pre-requisite or co-requisite for APG5883.

Interpreting and translation

a. You must complete the following capstone units:

• APG5605 Specialist interpreting – Health 
• APG5606 Specialist interpreting – Legal

b. You must complete one or two units (12 points) from the following:

• APG5616 Conference interpreting (12 points)
• APG5966 Academic and professional presentation skills
• APG5470 Managing multicultural teams
• APG5471 Leadership in intercultural environments
• APG5967 Professional enhancement A
• APG5968 Professional enhancement B (12 points)

Part D.  Specialist study (12 points)

You must complete one or two units (12 points) from the list below:

• APG5155 Designing research in the humanities and social sciences (12 points)
• APG5470 Managing multicultural teams
• APG5471 Leadership in intercultural environments
• APG5616 Conference interpreting (12 points)* 
• APG5876 Online collaborative translation practices 
• APG5608 Translating literary and cultural narratives 
• APG5611 Screen translation 
• APG5044 Professional internship (12 points)
• APG5856 Research project (12 points)
• APG5883 Major translation project (12 points)
• APG5966 Academic and professional presentation skills
• APG5967 Professional enhancement A
• APG5968 Professional enhancement B (12 points)
• APG5969 Advanced application simulation (12 points)
• Any of the units listed in Part. C or under the complementary electives available

* only available for the Interpreting and translation stream

Complementary electives

In part D, you may take up to 12 points of approved units from other Arts Graduate coursework programs, or Arts enrichment units from the list below, subject to meeting individual unit prerequisites.  Units from other Arts Graduate coursework programs must be selected from Principal study and/or Specialist study. 

Arts enrichment units:

• APG5136 Mindfulness for workplace wellbeing and productivity
• APG5170 Social enterprise challenge in the Indo-Pacific
• APG5470 Managing multicultural teams
• APG5471 Leadership in intercultural environments

Work Integrated Learning
The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) component is embedded into the academic program and also included in the professional internship.  WIL is aimed at helping you gain real world experiences in the Translation and Interpreting (T&I) industry. By working with professionals in the industry and/or alongside professionals who frequently use interpreters and translators, you will develop useful skills and a better understanding of ways in which theory relates to practice. Employers participating in the WIL may also become a useful recruitment resource for graduates of the program.