Masters (Coursework)
The UNSW Master of Translation is a 1.7 year full-time postgraduate degree that prepares you for a successful career as a certified translator, both in Australia and overseas. Choose from a variety of languages and industry specialisations.
The UNSW Master of Translation is a 1.7 year full-time postgraduate degree that prepares you for a successful career as a certified translator, both in Australia and overseas. Choose from a variety of languages and industry specialisations. You'll learn current theory and critical skills from leading interpreting and linguistics practitioners and researchers, while gaining practical experience in professional settings.
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).
Recognition of prior learning
Fast track your degree with the option to graduate in as little as one year with recognition of your previous studies and experience.
Career skills
Get practical professional experience and 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.
Learn from the best
The program is led by leading researchers and practitioners in the field of translation, interpreting and linguistics. Our programs are taught by experienced, NAATI accredited/certified practitioners. Our teachers are internationally recognised in legal and community interpreting, translation pedagogy and translation technologies.
Links with industry
UNSW is an affiliate of AUSIT, the national professional association for interpreters and translators. You'll have opportunities to gain real-world experience through translation work or observe experienced translators working in different professional settings such as Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
There are two different streams of the Master of Translation. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to translation.
You may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your work experience or prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
You will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
1.7 year (72 UOC) program (Stream B)
1 year (48 UOC) program (Stream A)
Related fields: Interpreting and Translation, Linguistics, Languages.
Applicants should provide 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.
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 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.
There are two different streams of the Master of Translation. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to translation
You may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your work experience or prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
You will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
1.7 year (72 UOC) program (Stream B)
1 year (48 UOC) program (Stream A)
Related fields: Interpreting and Translation, Linguistics, Languages.
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%).
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.
As a professional translator, you'll be able to pursue a global career and or work from the comfort of your own home. Graduates of the UNSW Master of Translation possess the skills required for careers in government and in the private sector. Our graduates work in a variety of areas, 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.