Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting
Domestic
International
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this program
Check the Fees & Scholarships tab for details
Your global career begins with the skills to work as a professional translator and interpreter in Australia and beyond.
Faculty
Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended), Online
Award
Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting
Commencing Terms
Term 1, Term 2, Term 3
Duration
0.7
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
The UNSW Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting allows you to build professional translating and interpreting skills and begin to specialise according to your career goals. You'll develop practical techniques with access to current real-world technologies and with translation studies and interpreting coursework led by industry-experienced lecturers.
This postgraduate program is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) and prepares you for their certification exams.
Why study a graduate certificate?
This is the fastest pathway to a professional qualification or further study at UNSW - you can be qualified in less than a year. In comparison, the graduate diploma takes one year to complete, and the master’s degree takes two years.
Both higher programs offer more knowledge and opportunities for specialisation and professional development – they also credit this certificate as recognition for prior learning. If you wish to quickly achieve a professional standard from a recognised institution, this certificate is ideal for you.
Key features
Customised study plan
Choose courses that focus on your preferred specialisation, including legal, medical, business, media, and community translation and interpreting. Depending on demand, you’ll build your specialisation in Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), French, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Serbian or Spanish.
Real-world technology
You'll have access to the latest interpreting and translation technology and equipment including training stations, simultaneous interpreting booths, a moot courtroom, translation memories, machine translation, audio-visual translation (subtitling and captioning) and corpus linguistics software.
NAATI endorsement
The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) endorses this graduate certificate, which means you will be prepared to sit the following exams with NAATI:
- Certified Provisional Interpreter
- Certified Interpreter
- Certified Translator
Professional experience
Apply what you learn in class to dynamic, real-world professional settings that complement the academic components of your chosen courses.
Potential to level up
Courses in this program can be credited toward the UNSW Graduate Diploma in Translation and Interpreting, which in turn can be credited toward the UNSW Master of Translation and Interpreting.
Why study at UNSW?
- Connect with UNSW’s strong industry links and partnerships
- Join a proudly diverse, collaborative, and inclusive community
- Learn through supportive, research-informed teaching
- Access a global alumni network
- Endorsement with NAATI
Program Code
7204
CRICOS Code
106116G
Campus
Kensington
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
24
Entry requirements
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline 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.
Recognition of prior learning
Receive up to 6 units of credit per course towards this program if you have completed the short courses as advised in the Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting Handbook entry requirements.
English language requirements
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65% and an advanced level of bilingual proficiency.
Recognition of prior learning
Receive up to 6 units of credit per course towards this program if you have completed the short courses as advised in the Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting Handbook entry requirements.
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:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
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.
International direct entry
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
Recognition of prior learning
Receive up to 6 units of credit per course towards this program if you have completed the short courses as advised in the Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting Handbook entry requirements.
English language requirements
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:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
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.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
The Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting involves completing four courses: a core discipline course, two practical courses (one in interpreting, one in translation) and a prescribed elective. You can tailor the practical courses and prescribed elective toward your career goals and interests.
Courses
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- Research and Theories of Translation and Interpreting
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You'll choose one practical course in interpreting. This list is a sample only, for the current course list please visit the handbook.
- Interpreting in Legal Settings
- Interpreting in Community Settings
- Conference Interpreting
- Community of Practice for Interpreting
- Interpreting Certification Preparation
- Advanced Conference Interpreting
- Interpreting in International Settings
-
You'll choose one practical course in translation. This list is a sample only, for the current course list please visit the handbook.
- Multimedia Translation
- Specialised Translation
- Translation Technology
- Translation Certification Preparation
- Advanced Translation Technology and Industry Practice
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You'll choose one prescribed elective. This list is a sample only, for the full and current course list please visit the handbook.
- Any of the practical courses list above
- Second Language Acquisition
- Language Technology
- Cross-cultural Pragmatics
- Current Issues in Bilingualism
Note: this information is subject to change. For the most current information, please view the Program Structure in the Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting Handbook.
Future careers
A Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting will build the framework to support and strengthen your career progression as a translator or interpreter.
Career opportunities
Depending on the courses you choose, you can work toward a career in the following industries:
- Business and economics
- Education and academia
- Health
- Law and international relations
- Marketing and publishing
- Media and journalism
- Tourism
- Science and technology
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
2023 Indicative CSP First Year Fee
$2,255*
2023 Indicative CSP Fee to Complete Degree
$2,255*
All places within this degree are Commonwealth supported. This means that if you receive an offer from UNSW Sydney as a domestic student, you will have a substantial proportion of your fees subsidised by the Australian government. Start your application today with our guide on how to apply.
2023 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$13,845*
2023 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$13,845*
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
2023 Indicative First Year Fee
$19,375*
2023 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$19,375*
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
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Top 20WorldwideQS World University Rankings, 2024.
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MostEmployable GraduatesAFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
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LeadingInnovation#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
The student community collectively inspire and encourage my individual career goals.
