Masters (Coursework)
The UNSW Master of Interpreting is a 1.7 year full-time postgraduate degree that gives you practical experience in professional settings, alongside skills and theoretical foundations based on current research.
The UNSW Master of Interpreting is a 1.7 year full-time postgraduate degree that gives you practical experience in professional settings, alongside skills and theoretical foundations based on current research. Learn from leading interpreting and linguistics practitioners and researchers to prepare a successful career and open up opportunities in a variety of industries, both in Australia and overseas. This degree prepares you for National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) certification.
This degree builds dynamic skills in communicating the spoken word. If you're more interested in communicating the written word, please see the UNSW Master of Translation.
Career skills
Build desirable career skills in critical analysis, project management, teamwork, independent research and preparation.
Specialist topics
Build legal, medical, welfare, business, community and conference interpreting knowledge.
Language variety
You can combine English with Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), French, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Serbian or Spanish (subject to student demand).
Links with industry
UNSW is an affiliate of AUSIT, the national professional association for interpreters and translators. Work Integrated Opportunities may also be offered within or outside of the university by different organisations. These opportunities allow you to participate in real-world interpreting work or observe experienced interpreters working in various professional settings.
Applicants must hold a bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65% and an advanced level of bilingual proficiency.
Applicants should provide the evidence of proficiency in the nominated language through prior study or NAATI certification/accreditation. Alternatively, upon submitting an application, applicants may be prompted to undertake a proficiency test.
Relevant disciplines include: Interpreting and Translation, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Media, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Business, Economics, Commerce, Law, Linguistics, Languages and Cognitive Science.
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire at studyarts@unsw.edu.au.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Applicants must hold a bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65% and an advanced level of bilingual proficiency^.
^Students from a non-211 university in China are now required to have a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW distinction average (75%).
Relevant disciplines include: Interpreting and Translation, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Media, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Business, Economics, Commerce, Law, Linguistics, Languages and Cognitive Science.
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance may apply and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
A skilled professional interpreter understands the nuanced meaning of language, which includes culture and context, to accurately convey the intended spoken message.
Graduates of UNSW Master of Interpreting possess the skills required for global careers in government and in the private sector including law, health, education, tourism, business, media, science and technology, and international relations.
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, The program is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) and also prepares students to sit the certification exams administered by NAATI for qualification as a Certified Provisional Interpreter, Certified Interpreter, and Certified Translator. With certain coursework, our program will also prepare students to sit specialist certification exams for Certified Advanced Translator, Certified Specialist Interpreter (Health), Certified Specialist Interpreter (Legal) and Certified Conference Interpreter.