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Course overview
Gain the skills you need to embark on a career as a professional interpreter between English and Chinese. Become an expert in interpreting theory and gain real-world experience in our interpreting facilities.
Our MA in English-Chinese Interpreting with Translation is ideal if you’re looking to begin or develop your career as a professional interpreter. You'll be ready for industry with opportunities throughout the course to put your learning into practice. Develop your technical skills across different forms of interpretation.
Course structure
The course runs over 12 months full-time.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the first two terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
Course highlights
At Birmingham, you'll develop your knowledge and practical skills from day one.
You'll get lots of in-class practice in our Interpreting Suite using professional Televic technology used by international organisations. Learn simultaneous and consecutive interpreting, with opportunities to learn community interpreting too.
Our modules will prepare you for interpreting in a range of real world scenarios, including business, legal, medical and other settings. What's more, you'll complete an extended project where you can focus on your chosen topic(s) in depth.
- We’re a member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), the Association of Programmes in Translation and Interpreting Studies, UK and Ireland, and the Association of Translation Companies.
- Learn from specialists in both Chinese-English and English-Chinese interpreting and translation, allowing you to practice working in both directions.
- Access translation software, including translation memory tools, corpus and text analysis tools and post-editing tools, plus SDL Studio Freelance licences.
Develop practical skills in interpreting and translation.
State-of-the-art interpreting suite with industry-standard technology.
We're one of the top 100 Modern Languages departments in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024).
Build your networks from day one
Enhancing your employability and preparing you for a career in the interpreting industry is at the heart of this programme. We have close connections with industry and are members of industry-specific institutions and associations, including the SDL University Partner Program which means we can offer you a SDL Studio Freelance licence during your studies.
Better still, our connections with industry mean you can take part in internships and put your practical skills into action.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in English - Chinese Interpreting and Translation. You’ll get to work in small groups with tutors and receive training so you can confidently use state-of-the art translation technology. Teaching takes place through lectures, seminars, role-plays and presentations.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by online small group teaching.
- Dissertation - you will undertake a 15,000-word Extended Interpreting Project or an Extended Translation Project, translating a 7,500-word text of your choice, plus a 7,500-word commentary on the text.
Facilities
You'll access a variety of tools and software used in the translation industry, such as translation memory tools, corpus and text analysis tools and post-editing tools. There's a variety of specialist software available, such as SDL Trados; Phrase; Wordfast (courtesy of Wordfast LLC and Yves Champollion); and the Sketch Engine corpus manager and text analysis.
Module information
The MA programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit extended project. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Advanced Consecutive Interpreting | 20 |
| LM Introduction to Consecutive Interpreting | 20 |
| LM Introduction to Simultaneous Interpreting | 20 |
| LM Translating for Business (Chinese) | 20 |
Student must choose one of the following modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Extended Interpreting Project | 60 |
| LM Extended Translation Project | 60 |
| LM Dissertation | 60 |
Students must take 2 x 20 credit optional modules chosen from a list provided by the department each year
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours degree
in languages or a humanities-related subject
You’ll need to have native-speaker proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. You’ll usually need to hold a languages or humanities-related degree at 2:1 or above.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in speaking and writing, and no less than 6.0 in listening and reading, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 22 in speaking and writing and 20 in listening and 21 in writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic overall 76, 67 in speaking and writing, 64 in listening and reading
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced - minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in speaking and writing and 169 in reading and listening
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in Modern Languages at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to work well with others, strong language and communication skills, plus an awareness of different cultures.
Our Modern Languages graduates enter many roles, including:
- Translation project manager
- Translator
- Secondary school teacher
- Copywriter
Employers our Modern Languages graduates have worked for include:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Morningside Translations
- Secondary schools
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report.
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.