| Module | Topics covered |
|---|---|
| Theories and principles in interpreting and translation studies | You will be introduced to a wide variety of key theoretical frameworks in interpreting and translation studies, such as functionalist theories, ethical models and the role of the interpreter and translator. It will introduce you to some of the current principles and issues in the public service interpreting and translation professions, with a focus on signed language interpreting and translation, and will encourage you to think critically about your own practice by applying a range of theoretical frameworks. You will also discuss ethical dilemmas that may arise during interpreting assignments. |
| Maintain skills and systems for interpreting tasks | You will understand the importance of maintaining interpreting and language skills as a professional interpreter and you will critically evaluate a range of systems to help you maintain your professional skills. As most sign language interpreters and translators are self-employed/freelance, you will learn about the requirements and demands of working as a freelance interpreter/translator, including practical business administration skills, the importance of maintaining good relationships with clients and how to find and charge appropriately for interpreting work. |
| Prepare for interpreting assignments | You will learn about the importance of preparing for interpreting assignments, applying key theories in interpreting and translation studies to plan and prepare appropriately for assignments. You will be able to assess your own ability to undertake, and accept, interpreting assignments, as well as plan and prepare for assignments as part of a team of interpreters. You will learn about the importance of maintaining a glossary for domains you regularly work in. You will critically evaluate and apply a range of preparation strategies and you will produce evidence of preparing for 4 assignments. |
| Plan and implement continuous professional development | You will work with your professional supervisor to plan your development points over the course of your studies. You will create, maintain and update a Professional Development Plan throughout your studies. Your plan will be informed by trends, developments and good practice in the sign language interpreting/translation profession as well as your own evaluation of your gaps in knowledge, skills and competence. You will have regular meetings with your supervisor to review your PDP (required to maintain your TSLI registration). |
| Consecutive and simultaneous interpreting | This is a practical module where you will practise interpreting between English and BSL. You will be encouraged to critically analyse your own interpreting by applying relevant theories in interpreting and translation studies. You will be introduced to consecutive and simultaneous interpreting and you will be taught interpreting techniques, including note-taking skills. You will practice both one-way and two-way interpreting between English and BSL. This module will also introduce you to some of the main domains that interpreters work in. |
| Module | Topics covered |
|---|---|
| Professional interpreting | This module will focus on the practical skills required for one-way and two-way consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. It will introduce you to the cognitive processes and stages of the interpreting process as well as key skills used in the field, including note taking. You are expected to practise regularly by working as a trainee interpreter and you will also receive regular formative feedback throughout the course. |
| Work as part of a team of professional interpreters | This module will give you the knowledge and skills to work effectively as part of a team of interpreters. It will equip you with a range of co-working techniques, such as feeding, checking and monitoring skills, as well as strategies to work with other professionals (i.e. relay interpreters and English>BSL translators). You will consider a wide range of co-working techniques in various situations and domains, using key principles and ethical models to justify your decisions. |
| Remote interpreting | You will learn about the emerging field of Video Relay Interpreting (VRI) and engage critically with current debates about VRI in the sign language interpreting field. You will learn how to prepare and perform VRI assignments, including how to set up, check and monitor equipment effectively and how to manage the specific demands relating to this mode of delivery. You will also be introduced to subtitling and audiovisual translation. |
| Sight translation | You will learn about the situations when you might be required to produce sight translations of written and signed texts. You will consider the appropriateness and feasibility of the sight translation task. You will be able to apply a wide range of interpreting and translation theories and principles to justify your translation approach and ethical decisions. |
| Evaluate performance as a professional interpreter | You will use a wide range of theoretical frameworks, ethical frameworks and key principles in interpreting and translation studies to critically evaluate your own interpreting performance. You will be able to justify and analyse the interpreting approach, as well as evaluate the consequences of ethical decisions made. |
| No. | Assessment | Method |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3,000 word essay | Written essay - externally assessed |
| 2 | Business plan (detailing systems and processes in place to do business) | Coursework - internally assessed |
| 3 | Glossary | Coursework - internally assessed |
| 4 | 4x evidence of preparing for interpreting assignments, including evidence of preparing for co-working assignments, 1-way interpreting, 2-way interpreting and sight translation. | Coursework - internally assessed |
| 5 | Professional Development Plan and reflective journals | Coursework - internally assessed |
| No. | Assessment | Method |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | One-way consecutive interpreting BSL>English | Live observation or filmed clip - internally assessed |
| 2 | One-way consecutive interpreting English>BSL | Live observation or filmed clip - internally assessed |
| 3 | One-way simultaneous interpreting BSL>English and critical analysis | Live observation or filmed clip - internally assessed |
| 4 | One-way simultaneous interpreting English>BSL and critical analysis | Live observation or filmed clip - internally assessed |
| 5 | Two-way face-to-face interpreting and critical analysis | Live observation or filmed clip - internally assessed |
| 6 | Two-way remote interpreting and critical analysis | Live observation or filmed clip - internally assessed |
| 7 | One-way simultaneous interpreting BSL>English | Filmed clip - externally assessed |
| 8 | One-way simultaneous interpreting English>BSL | Filmed clip - externally assessed |
| 9 | Two-way face-to-face interpreting | Filmed clip - externally assessed |
| 10 | Two-way remote interpreting | Filmed clip - externally assessed |
| 11 | Sight translation English>BSL | Filmed clip - externally assessed |
| 12 | Immediate translation BSL>English | Written product - externally assessed |
Applications for the 2025/26 academic year are now open.
Deadline for applications: 30 June 2025
Applicants will be informed if their application has been selected by 11 July 2025
Interviews will take place on 1 & 2 August 2025.
Course dates
Year 1 (2025/26 Academic Year)
Year 2 (2026/27 Academic Year)
Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are not yet open. Applications will open in April/May 2026.
Provisional Course Dates
Year 1 (2026/27 Academic Year)
Year 2 (2027/28 Academic Year)
Designed & Development by WP Ability
