Course Overview

About This Course

This program is for students commencing in 2022 onwards. If you commenced prior to 2022, please refer to the program rules for the year you started. The Master of Translation (MTran) is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). It is offered in two plans, 72 UoC (1.7 years, plan B) and 48 UoC (1 year, plan A). The program prepares you to sit for the Certified Translator certification exam administered by NAATI. With certain coursework, you can also sit the specialist certification exam for Certified Advanced Translator. The program will equip you with the necessary theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and technological capabilities to work as a competent and ethical translator in international and domestic settings. The areas of translation specialisation are multimedia, business, legal, medical, scientific, technical, subtitling and captioning, translation technology (machine translation, post-editing) and community translation. The program is staffed by leading researchers and practitioners in translation and linguistics. In our program, academic content is complemented by professional practical experience where you are able to apply what was learned in class in real professional settings. In addition to the knowledge and skills of translation as a discipline and as a profession, you will also learn related academic and practical skills such as critical analysis, independent research and preparation, project management and team work - which are all related to the work of translators. The program is offered in the following language combinations, subject to student demand: English and Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), French, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish and Turkish. Fully online mode is only available to domestic students and students not on an international student visa.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Canberra

Northcott Dr, Canberra, ACT 2600

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

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\n \n\n1.7 year (72 UOC) program (Specialisation B)\n\nA bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any field with a credit average (equivalent to a UNSW WAM of 65) and an advanced level of bilingual proficiency*.\n\n\n* You will be considered to have an advanced level of bilingual proficiency if you have:

\n\nCompleted 3-year+ qualification equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree which was undertaken in the nominated language, completed within the 10 years prior to commencement of the program applied for OR\nProvided evidence of a NAATI certification/accreditation for interpreting or translation for the nominated language offered in this program OR\nSuccessfully completed TAFE Diploma or TAFE Advanced Diploma of Interpreting OR\nSuccessfully completed at least one of UNSW's I&T courses (MODL5100, MODL5101, MODL5102, MODL5103, MODL5104, MODL5107, MODL5108, MODL5112) OR\nProvided evidence of being a native speaker of the language and completed high school in the nominated language for this program. High school transcript and proof of completion are required.\n\nRecognition of Prior Learning (RPL)\n \nStudents who have completed the short courses below are eligible to receive up to 6 UoC per course towards their program subject to the requirements and limitations specified by the UNSW Recognition of Prior Learning Procedure.\n\nSC0002 Introduction to Interpreting and Translation -> Unspecified credit for one elective\n","links":[]}]}

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

The translation profession offers varied opportunities for employment both commercial and freelance, including translating, editing, subtitling, captioning, and technical writing. Translation services are valued in a number of government and commercial areas including legal, medical, business, and media.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Master of Translation cost at UNSW?

All of UNSW's postgraduate programs and degrees have tuition fees and costs involved, and the total cost of study will vary depending on a number of factors. You can use the Degree Finder tool to find out the estimated cost — simply search for your degree and click the 'fees and scholarships' tab.

Can I get a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for the Master of Translation?

While CSPs are less common in postgraduate programs, they are a great way to reduce the overall cost of your degree. If CSPs aren't available in the program you want to study, or you're not eligible, your place in the program will be classified as 'full-fee paying'. Full-fee paying does not mean you need to pay it all upfront.

What loan options are available to help fund my postgraduate study?

FEE-HELP is a higher education loan program provided by the Australian Government that helps fee-paying postgraduate students cover the upfront costs of their full tuition or part of their tuition fees. Unlike private loans, compulsory repayments of the FEE-HELP debt will be deducted from your income by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) once you start earning above the repayment threshold. You can also make voluntary repayments at any time.

Can I get credit for previous study or work experience towards the Master of Translation?

Yes. You can apply to have your previous study recognised and the credit transferred to your current degree program at UNSW through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), also known as 'advanced standing'. RPL will reduce the total cost of your study by reducing the number of individual courses you are charged tuition fees for. For certain postgraduate programs, professional experience in the discipline may also be recognised.

Can my employer help pay for my Master of Translation?

Many employers recognise the career advancement benefits of postgraduate study and may be willing to pay some or all of your study costs. UNSW recommends preparing your case by researching the program, outlining the benefits to your employer, and being prepared to commit to completing the program if your employer agrees to fund your study. Additionally, if your degree relates directly to your job, you may also be able to claim your tuition fees and other study expenses on tax through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $52,000 to $68,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $68,000 to $82,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $82,000 to $100,000 per year

Career Paths

Community InterpreterCourt Interpreter (Legal Interpreter)Medical / Health InterpreterConference InterpreterCertified Translator

Key Skills

Consecutive and simultaneous interpreting techniquesWritten translation from source to target language with accuracy and fluencySight translation of documents across languagesSpecialised terminology management in legal, medical, and business contextsUse of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and translation memory software

Full Course Overview

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