This course is approved by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) at the Professional level (formerly Level 3). Eligibility for accreditation is triggered by the final examinations in the unit Accreditation Studies, in which students are required to pass* in at least one mode (i.e. Translation into English, Translation from English, Interpreting). These examinations adhere to NAATI requirements. *Note: NAATI requires a minimum pass mark of 70%.
Applications from Australian citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
International applicants must apply directly to the University of Western Sydney via UWS International.
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the Universities Admissions Centre website (UAC).
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and UWS.
Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline
Have native or near-native proficiency in the languages offered (Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish).
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.
Recommended Sequence
Full-time, Start-year intake:
Year 1
Autumn session
Interpreting and Translation Skills
This core unit in the postgraduate Interpreting and Translation programs is divided into two main sections: interpreting techniques and translation techniques, including information technology. This unit deals with high-level specialised technical skills necessary for the different types of interpreting: dialogue, consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation. It also deals with various aspects of translation and information technology relevant to translation (i.e., computer-assisted translation technologies and the use of the Internet). The unit is run in English for students of all languages.
Interpreting and Translation Theory
This unit will aim to provide an overview of the major theoretical notions which underpin the practice of Interpreting and Translation. A background knowledge of this theory is essential in the development of professional skills, behaviour and praxis.
Community Translation
This unit aims to develop skills in translation from and into English in a number of specialised fields: medical documents; technical papers; legal documents; advertising material; journal articles. The aim of the unit is for students to develop skills in producing target texts in styles appropriate to the source text content and function, researching and developing appropriate specialist terminology, editing and revising, and producing camera-ready documents. The unit will be available, depending on sufficient demand, for Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Legal Interpreting
This unit aims to equip students to perform adequately as legal interpreters by providing them with the relevant theoretical and practical training.
Spring session
Specialised Translation
This unit aims to develop skills in translation from and into English in a number of specialised fields: medical documents; technical papers; legal documents; advertising material; journal articles. The aim of the unit is for students to develop skills in producing target texts in styles appropriate to the source text content and function, researching and developing appropriate specialist terminology, editing and revising, and producing camera-ready documents. The unit will be available, depending on sufficient demand, for Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish
Medical Interpreting
This unit aims to develop students' skills in interpreting at the Professional level (formerly NAATI Level 3) through the modes of dialogue interpreting, consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting and sight translation in the domain of health services.
Interpreting and Translation Professional Practicum
This unit is aimed at providing students with the opportunity to make useful observations about practical aspects of the Interpreting and/or Translation professions and related fields (such as the Legal System), as well as with supervised practice in the workplace. Students will complete the practical work relevant to their field of specialisation, i.e., Interpreting or Translation or Interpreting and Translation.
Accreditation Studies
This is a compulsory unit in all the NAATI approved awards. It aims to provide practice and constructive feedback to students preparing for the accreditation examinations. A pass in the unit in at least one of the Interpreting, Translation into English, or Translation from English examinations with 70% will make students eligible for NAATI accreditation on completion of the rest of the requirements of the course.
Full-time, Mid-year intake:
Year 1
Spring session
Interpreting and Translation Skills
This core unit in the postgraduate Interpreting and Translation programs is divided into two main sections: interpreting techniques and translation techniques, including information technology. This unit deals with high-level specialised technical skills necessary for the different types of interpreting: dialogue, consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation. It also deals with various aspects of translation and information technology relevant to translation (i.e., computer-assisted translation technologies and the use of the Internet). The unit is run in English for students of all languages.
Interpreting and Translation Theory
This unit will aim to provide an overview of the major theoretical notions which underpin the practice of Interpreting and Translation. A background knowledge of this theory is essential in the development of professional skills, behaviour and praxis.
Specialised Translation
This unit aims to develop skills in translation from and into English in a number of specialised fields: medical documents; technical papers; legal documents; advertising material; journal articles. The aim of the unit is for students to develop skills in producing target texts in styles appropriate to the source text content and function, researching and developing appropriate specialist terminology, editing and revising, and producing camera-ready documents. The unit will be available, depending on sufficient demand, for Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish
Medical Interpreting
This unit aims to develop students' skills in interpreting at the Professional level (formerly NAATI Level 3) through the modes of dialogue interpreting, consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting and sight translation in the domain of health services.
Year 2
Autumn session
Community Translation
This unit aims to develop skills in translation from and into English in a number of specialised fields: medical documents; technical papers; legal documents; advertising material; journal articles. The aim of the unit is for students to develop skills in producing target texts in styles appropriate to the source text content and function, researching and developing appropriate specialist terminology, editing and revising, and producing camera-ready documents. The unit will be available, depending on sufficient demand, for Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Legal Interpreting
This unit aims to equip students to perform adequately as legal interpreters by providing them with the relevant theoretical and practical training.
Interpreting and Translation Professional Practicum
This unit is aimed at providing students with the opportunity to make useful observations about practical aspects of the Interpreting and/or Translation professions and related fields (such as the Legal System), as well as with supervised practice in the workplace. Students will complete the practical work relevant to their field of specialisation, i.e., Interpreting or Translation or Interpreting and Translation.
Accreditation Studies
This is a compulsory unit in all the NAATI approved awards. It aims to provide practice and constructive feedback to students preparing for the accreditation examinations. A pass in the unit in at least one of the Interpreting, Translation into English, or Translation from English examinations with 70% will make students eligible for NAATI accreditation on completion of the rest of the requirements of the course.
