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Postgraduate Programme Specification

PgDip Interpreting

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title PgDip Interpreting Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Postgraduate Diploma
Programme Code IDC-PD-IN UCAS Code HECoS Code 101130 - Translation studies - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

--

Interview Required

Candidates will normally be interviewed as part of the application process in order to ascertain competency in their language pair.

Mode of Study Full Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Full Time - 1 Academic Year
Total Credits for Programme 120
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Arts, English and Languages

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

N/A

Accreditations (PSRB)

No accreditations (PSRB) found.

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

N/A

Programme Specific Regulations

Awards, Credits and Progression of Learning Outcomes
The following regulations should be read in conjunction with the University’s General Regulations for Postgraduate Students.
Assessment

The pass mark for each module is 50%.

Students must pass all taught modules (120 CATS points) to be awarded the PG Diploma in Interpreting.

Students who fail one or more of the taught modules are permitted one further attempt to pass the module at the next available opportunity for a maximum of 50%.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

The overall aim of the PG Diploma in Interpreting programme is to offer a high quality, supportive teaching and learning environment that provides students with an advanced qualification in the field of interpreting to enable them to work at the highest professional level with opportunity to:
Develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the prevailing theories and practices of Interpreting through intellectual and interactive enquiry;
Receive a grounding in the field of Interpreting, defined as theory and practice, that will enable students both to undertake independent research and/or to work as high-quality professional interpreters in a range of relevant settings;
Develop sophisticated intellectual enquiry and debate with fellow students, academics and professional practitioners, drawn from a range of relevant backgrounds, through interrogation of theoretical models and analysis of practice-based work;
Enhance their professional interpreting skills and to theorise within the context of the discipline and their own practice;
Build a professional knowledge of the language-services market place and skills to work efficiently and effectively within the profession;
Learn and promote a dynamic and innovative approach to interpreting as a mode for understanding the socio-political and cultural complexities posed by the movement of peoples and the demands of multi-ethnic organisation;
Develop effective writing and oral-communication skills, and to develop as independent interpreters and self-reflective lifelong learners;
Undertake and successfully complete a substantial piece of research within the field of Interpreting.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Apply theory to practice;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays

Critically reflect and make judgment in terms of their own professional performance;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays.

Engage with and interpret, at a sophisticated level, layers of meaning within discourse;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays.

Undertake and conduct sustained research;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays.

Contextualise within a variety of perspectives and professional situations;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays.

Synthesise and present complex ideas, in both written and oral form, within the framework of a structured and reasoned argument in a well-articulated, and stylistically mature fashion;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays.

Work autonomously, manifested in self-direction, self-discipline, and time-management;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays.

Apply a critical apparatus at a high level of expertise;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays.

Develop independent and sophisticated insights into the world of the professional interpreter, and to demonstrate these through the undertaking of independent research projects;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays.

Demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills deriving from extensive research in all areas of professional activity

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Plan and undertake independent research

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays

Retrieve, sift, and select current and relevant primary and secondary information from standard and electronic sources

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays

Communicate and present to a range of audiences at an advanced level of professionalism

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays

Utilise IT skills for professional use

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays

Engage in independent learning and research

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussion, seminar presentations, language exercises, scenario and situational role-plays

Methods of Assessment

Research exercises, performance analysis, essays

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of professional interpreting and translation;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ acquisition of knowledge is achieved primarily through core seminars leading to further guided independent study
All students take Principles and Practices of Interpreting as a foundation module. This module introduces students to the various forms of interpreting practice – simultaneous, consecutive, liaison and conference – and the particular methodologies and skills (note-taking, presentation, technical, etc.) that they require.

Methods of Assessment

Interpreting modules are assessed by a combination of essays and practical exercises.
These exercises give students the opportunity to apply the bodies of theoretical knowledge acquired in the theoretical core of each module within specific contexts of professional practice.

knowledge and understanding of the range of contexts in which interpreters work;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ acquisition of knowledge is achieved primarily through core seminars leading to further guided independent study
All students take Principles and Practices of Interpreting as a foundation module. This module introduces students to the various forms of interpreting practice – simultaneous, consecutive, liaison and conference – and the particular methodologies and skills (note-taking, presentation, technical, etc.) that they require.

Methods of Assessment

Interpreting modules are assessed by a combination of essays and practical exercises.
These exercises give students the opportunity to apply the bodies of theoretical knowledge acquired in the theoretical core of each module within specific contexts of professional practice.

knowledge and understanding of the tools and resources for professional research;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ acquisition of knowledge is achieved primarily through core seminars leading to further guided independent study
All students take Principles and Practices of Interpreting as a foundation module. This module introduces students to the various forms of interpreting practice – simultaneous, consecutive, liaison and conference – and the particular methodologies and skills (note-taking, presentation, technical, etc.) that they require.

Methods of Assessment

Interpreting modules are assessed by a combination of essays and practical exercises.
These exercises give students the opportunity to apply the bodies of theoretical knowledge acquired in the theoretical core of each module within specific contexts of professional practice.

knowledge and understanding of the language-services sector;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ acquisition of knowledge is achieved primarily through core seminars leading to further guided independent study
All students take Principles and Practices of Interpreting as a foundation module. This module introduces students to the various forms of interpreting practice – simultaneous, consecutive, liaison and conference – and the particular methodologies and skills (note-taking, presentation, technical, etc.) that they require

Methods of Assessment

Interpreting modules are assessed by a combination of essays and practical exercises.
These exercises give students the opportunity to apply the bodies of theoretical knowledge acquired in the theoretical core of each module within specific contexts of professional practice.

knowledge and understanding of the socio-political and cultural complexities posed by the movement of peoples and the demands of multi-ethnic organisation.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ acquisition of knowledge is achieved primarily through core seminars leading to further guided independent study
All students take Principles and Practices of Interpreting as a foundation module. This module introduces students to the various forms of interpreting practice – simultaneous, consecutive, liaison and conference – and the particular methodologies and skills (note-taking, presentation, technical, etc.) that they require.

Methods of Assessment

Interpreting modules are assessed by a combination of essays and practical exercises.
These exercises give students the opportunity to apply the bodies of theoretical knowledge acquired in the theoretical core of each module within specific contexts of professional practice.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Command a high level of linguistic competence in their chosen language pairs appropriate to a full range of professional interpreting contexts;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

All teaching is seminar and workshop-based, thus facilitating the focused application of knowledge and theory to practice.

Students present seminar papers, and play an active role in determining the subjects to be discussed.

Extensive independent reading is expected in advance of seminars, and is required for the essays that students submit.

Students complete a series of preparatory tasks for the workshop elements of each module.

Methods of Assessment

Interpreting modules are assessed by a combination of essays and practical exercises.
These exercises give students the opportunity to apply the bodies of theoretical knowledge acquired in the theoretical core of each module within specific contexts of professional practice.

Apply a high level of competence in the professional skills of interpreting: research and glossary competence, note-taking skills, active-listening skills, discourse and pragmatic analysis;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

All teaching is seminar and workshop-based, thus facilitating the focused application of knowledge and theory to practice.

Students present seminar papers, and play an active role in determining the subjects to be discussed.

Extensive independent reading is expected in advance of seminars, and is required for the essays that students submit.

Students complete a series of preparatory tasks for the workshop elements of each module.

Methods of Assessment

Interpreting modules are assessed by a combination of essays and practical exercises.
These exercises give students the opportunity to apply the bodies of theoretical knowledge acquired in the theoretical core of each module within specific contexts of professional practice.

Demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness in business practice;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

All teaching is seminar and workshop-based, thus facilitating the focused application of knowledge and theory to practice.

Students present seminar papers, and play an active role in determining the subjects to be discussed.

Extensive independent reading is expected in advance of seminars, and is required for the essays that students submit.

Students complete a series of preparatory tasks for the workshop elements of each module.

Methods of Assessment

Interpreting modules are assessed by a combination of essays and practical exercises.
These exercises give students the opportunity to apply the bodies of theoretical knowledge acquired in the theoretical core of each module within specific contexts of professional practice.

Effectively work at a professional level with a range of electronic and software-based resources;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

All teaching is seminar and workshop-based, thus facilitating the focused application of knowledge and theory to practice.

Students present seminar papers, and play an active role in determining the subjects to be discussed.

Extensive independent reading is expected in advance of seminars, and is required for the essays that students submit.

Students complete a series of preparatory tasks for the workshop elements of each module.

Methods of Assessment

Interpreting modules are assessed by a combination of essays and practical exercises.
These exercises give students the opportunity to apply the bodies of theoretical knowledge acquired in the theoretical core of each module within specific contexts of professional practice.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Consecutive Interpreting MML7056 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 52% 48% 0%
Profession & Placement Module MML7058 7 0 YES YES 24 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Commercial Interpreting MML7053 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 52% 48% 0%
Public Service Interpreting MML7052 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 55% 45% 0%
Simultaneous Interpreting MML7051 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 52% 48% 0%
Principles and Practices of Interpreting MML7050 7 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 70% 30% 0%

Notes

All modules are compulsory apart from MML7058. Students must pass all taught modules (at a minimum of 50%) Because of specific language combinations which may change from one year to another the programme is offered in full time only.