Interpreting

Program Overview

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Interpreting

Overview

The Centre for Translation and Interpreting provides a vibrant environment for both disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship. Recognised as a centre of excellence for research into the languages, literatures, histories, linguistics, visual cultures, and cultural identities of Europe and beyond, the Centre is founded on a dynamic and forward-looking research ethos. Interpreting is a field of research that is expanding dynamically. We welcome innovative research proposals that interrogate – through either practice- or research-led projects – interpreting in a variety of areas and modes, for example:

• the role of the interpreter in the complex network of requirements, expectations, and perceptions
• interpreter training
• interpreting principles and practices
• interpreting ethics
• legal and social contexts for interpreting
• cognitive studies of interpreting, especially with eye-tracking technology
• community interpreting
• court interpreting
• sign language interpreting
• interpreting as a profession
• interpreting industry

Mode of Study/Duration

Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Subject Summary

You will be an inquisitive researcher keen to investigate various modes and aspects of interpreting in the wider world. Your research may cover areas including simultaneous interpreting, consecutive interpreting, business interpreting, public service interpreting, legal interpreting, sign language interpreting, sight translation, and many others. You will enjoy the benefits of a network of regional, national and international connections with leading translation centres, including in Brazil, China, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Spain, the UAE, and the USA. You will meet and engage with staff with research profiles of international standing, with a wide and diverse range of interests in interpreting and translation studies, including consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, sight translation, digital and media contexts, literature, travel writing, international development, theatre and performance, hermeneutics and translation theory, histories, education, religious texts, landscape and place, museums, subtitling, audio-description and accessibility. The School hosts several large research projects across all the language areas, funded by the AHRC, British Academy, the Leverhulme Trust, and Horizon 2020. The Centre is home to a large group of PhD students (around 45) from all across the world (China, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Mongolia, UK, Oman, Spain). Our weekly Seminar Series attracts renowned scholars and practitioners and is open to all PhD students. It provides you with an opportunity to become familiar with a range of translation research topics and professional experiences, and to network with peers and staff members. You are also welcome to audit classes on the MA Interpreting and MA Translation programmes.

Career Prospects

Now more than ever postgraduate qualifications in Interpreting and/or Translation are in high demand. Many of our graduates work immediately as free-lance professionals, some even choosing to launch their own agencies. Others have recently secured employment in higher education (e.g. in China, Jordan, Iraq, Brazil, University of Glasgow, University of East Anglia, QUB), advertising agencies, as well as private and public companies and institutions. Queen’s is ranked 11th in the UK for graduate prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022) Queen’s is ranked in the top 170 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)

People Teaching You

• Dr Chen-En Ho, Senior Lecturer in Translation and Interpreting
• Dr Kathleen Kaess, Lecturer in Translation and Interpreting
• Prof. Piotr Blumczynski, Professor in Translation and Interpreting

Course Structure

Learning and Teaching

We provide team supervision that allows students to benefit from a wide range of staff expertise, and have a proven track record in helping students to complete their studies successfully within the three-year period. Above all, we make ourselves readily available to our students and help them to integrate into our thriving research community made up of students from all around the world.

Entrance Requirements

• A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.
• While a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) is not essential, it is desirable and applicants without this qualification will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

Tuition Fees

Fee Type	Amount
Northern Ireland (NI)	£5,006
Republic of Ireland (ROI)	£5,006
England, Scotland or Wales (GB)	£5,006
EU Other	£20,500
International	£20,500

Additional Course Costs

Depending on the area of research chosen there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees.

Bench Fees

Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.

Funding and Scholarships

The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a Supervisor

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.