Program Overview

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New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting Major - Bachelor of Arts

The New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting major is designed to prepare students for a career as professional NZSL-English interpreters. This major is in high demand, as NZSL-English interpreters are essential to ensure the Deaf community has access to New Zealand's legal, educational, and health systems.

Programme Overview

The programme focuses on developing advanced NZSL and interpreting skills, as well as exploring the ethical issues of sign language interpreting. Students become familiar with the Deaf community and culture, helping them achieve proficiency in New Zealand Sign Language.

Key Facts

• Programme code: AK3006
• Level: 7
• Points: 360
• Duration: 3 years full-time, part-time available
• Campus: City Campus
• Starts: 22 Feb 2027, 12 Jul 2027

Fees

• Domestic: $8,839.60 - $9,774.60 (for 120 points)
• International: $36,021.60 (for 120 points)

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

• University Entrance or equivalent
• High level of competency in English (NZSL fluency is not required)
• Interview required

Useful New Zealand School Subjects

• All subjects are useful, in particular:
  • Art History
  • Classical Studies
  • English
  • Geography
  • History
  • Media Studies
  • Other languages

English Language Requirements

• IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with 7.0 in Writing and Speaking, and 6.5 in Reading and Listening; or equivalent

What You Study

The programme develops advanced NZSL and interpreting skills to prepare students for a career as professional NZSL-English interpreters. Courses focus on ethical decision-making, the translation and interpreting processes, and business-related skills like networking and professional conduct.

Year 1 Courses

• Core courses:
  • COMM570 Academic Communication: Conventions and Expectations or LSKL500 Uni101
  • CLSY510 Introduction to International Studies or MAOR504 Treaty of Waitangi: Resistance and Repair
  • CLSY504 Knowledge and Inquiry or CLSY515 Humans + Machines: AI in the Social World
• New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting courses:
  • NZSL502 An Introduction to the Deaf World
  • NZSL510 New Zealand Sign Language I
  • NZSL520 New Zealand Sign Language II
  • NZSL600 New Zealand Sign Language Discourse
  • NZSL602 Being in the Deaf World

Year 2 Courses

• TRIN603 Interpreter Role, Ethics and Practice
• NZSL604 Societal Contexts for NZSL Interpreters
• NZSL610 New Zealand Sign Language III
• NZSL620 New Zealand Sign Language IV
• NZSL710 New Zealand Sign Language V
• NZSL703 Comparative Analysis of English and NZSL
• NZSL704 NZSL Interpreting I Dialogic Interactions
• Elective course (recommended: MAOR505 Te Mnutanga Beginners Mori Language 1)

Year 3 Courses

• NZSL702 Current Issues in the Deaf World
• NZSL705 NZSL Interpreting II Monologic Interactions
• NZSL706 NZSL Interpreting III Advanced Interpreting Techniques
• TRIN704 Health Studies for Interpreters or TRIN702 Legal Studies for Interpreters
• TRIN705 Advanced Health Interpreting or TRIN708 Advanced Legal Interpreting
• NZSL707 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience I Observations
• NZSL708 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience II Professional Practice
• Elective course

Workplace Experience

Workplace experience is a key part of the final year, including observations and professional practice in a wide range of settings, such as community workshops, sports events, and health appointments.

Skills Required

To participate in the programme, students need to be able to:

• Adequately hear and process spoken language in various settings
• See clearly, including in low light and across distances
• Speak and write English with a high level of proficiency
• Speak in a clear voice
• Use hands, arms, and fingers in a skilled and coordinated way (manual dexterity)

Career Opportunities

Graduates can work in various interpreting settings, including health, education, legal profession, events, employment, and the arts.

Related Programmes

Other majors in the Bachelor of Arts include:

• Creative Writing
• Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Culinary Arts
• Economics
• Education
• Event Management
• Global Tourism
• History
• International Studies
• Interpreting
• Mori Development
• Mori Media
• New Zealand Sign Language & Deaf Studies
• Psychology
• Social Sciences