Graduate Diploma in Translating and Interpreting
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 1 year, Part-time 2 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$24,000 (2021 total)
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 1 yearLocation
Melbourne City
Overview
Looking for a way to turn your bilingual abilities into a thriving career? Translators and interpreters are highly sought-after professionals who provide a link between people of different cultures with a language barrier.
Designed for people with advanced bilingual skills who want to further their career, this course will introduce you to theoretical approaches, specialised knowledge of industry, and ethical issues in the field. You'll learn how to use communication media to support translating and interpreting work, and gain insight into the intersection of theory and practice.
By linking translation technology, ethics, and professional and theoretical studies to practical issues in translating and interpreting, RMIT graduates are work-ready and prepared to respond to industry requirements.
RMIT is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). The course caters for a vast range of languages, including:
Details
In this graduate diploma course, you will build knowledge of current and emerging industrial and ethical issues, and advanced theoretical frameworks relevant to the field. You'll learn a range of specific interpreting techniques, such as conversation turn-taking and its dynamics, note-taking for consecutive interpreting, and identifying and employing cohesion and intonation patterns applicable to oral communication. You'll use technology to streamline and translation tasks, and become familiar with Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) systems, such as Wordfast.
You will experience a range of teaching and learning approaches, including independent research, lectures, workshops and tutorials, and professional projects. You will also be required to demonstrate a range of verbal, written and online approaches of communication. You will be assessed through include written work, presentations, group discussions, industry-based assessment, and examinations and tests.
In addition to weekly lectures, you also have access to two weekly three-hour tutorials with a qualified interpreting and translating trainer in your language group. You can also take one-on-one practice sessions and receive personalised feedback.
Your teachers are all NAATI certified professional interpreters or translators who practice as independent or contracted professionals across the community, business and diplomatic domains.
Please note that for the translating and interpreting subjects, all content and skills will be delivered in English. Some subjects will have bilingual activities and assessment tasks. Students are expected to form study groups and use practice materials provided by the course to maximise skill development and improvement. Periodic feedback on student performance into their language other than English (LOTE) will be facilitated by the course through sending practice recordings/texts/digital files to suitably qualified persons to provide feedback in electronic format.
Face-to-face tutorials with a LOTE instructor will only be scheduled when there is a substantial number of students of the same language. Otherwise, students will be allocated a non-specific language stream, where they will work with students of other languages and will have language-specific tuition several times a semester.
Want to know more? Explore our frequently asked questions for translating and interpreting courses.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
Members of the teaching staff are all NAATI-certified professional translators or interpreters who bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills to the classes, ensuring teaching and learning are inline with current industry standards.
You will participate in simulated interpreting activities with students from other discipline areas such as community services, criminal justice, occupational therapy and social work, giving you the opportunity to put your skills into practice.
Simulated translation activities and projects using subtitling software, translation memories and computer assisted translation tools give you the opportunity to work in both individual or team settings and experience industry practice.
The Graduate Diploma incorporates 96 credit points.
The course structure includes a range of translating, interpreting, discourse and theory subjects. Translating and interpreting electives may not be available in all languages and are offered subject to minimum numbers. All subjects are worth 12 credit points unless otherwise noted.
Core subjects:
- Theoretical bases of translating and interpreting
- Discourse studies for translators and interpreters
- Ethics and professional issues
- Interpreting accrediting practice (1) or Translation accrediting practice (1)
Elective subjects:
- Translation accrediting practice (1 or 2)
- Interpreting accrediting practice (1 or 2)
- Translation and technology
- Advanced English language (1)
- Professional English.
Choose a program structure
Choose a program structure
Program code: GD168
Career
Graduates of this course are qualified to work in a wide range of work contexts and industries in Australia and overseas. Potential employers include:
- multinational firms
- foreign embassies and posts
- government departments
- NGOs
- localisation industry
- private businesses.
Broader career prospects include employment in government areas such as:
- cross-cultural communication
- social and welfare services
- security services
- international trade relations
Graduates can also freelance as translators/interpreters.
Admissions
Entry requirements
You must have successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in any discipline.
If you have not completed an undergraduate degree, you may still be considered if you have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in interpreting or translating or in the use of bilingual language skills. If you wish for your work experience to be considered, you must submit a CV and a personal statement detailing your relevant work experience.
Please note: You must indicate in your application the language combination you are applying for.
You will be selected competitively for all languages based on your grade point average (GPA), relevant experience and the results of any selection tasks you are required to complete.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in any discipline.
If you have not completed an undergraduate degree, you may still be considered if you have significant relevant work experience in interpreting or translating or in the use of bilingual language skills.
Please note: You must indicate in your application the language combination you are applying for.
You will be selected competitively for all languages based on your grade point average (GPA), relevant experience and the results of any selection tasks you are required to complete.
You must demonstrate proficiency in the language other than English (LOTE) you wish to study in this program.
To meet the LOTE proficiency requirement you must:
- Have completed a recognised year 12 or senior secondary school qualification (equivalent to an Australian year 12) or tertiary qualification taught in the LOTE you are applying to study in the program.
OR
- Complete an RMIT administered LOTE test (PDF 84KB). The LOTE test includes reading, writing and translating from your second language into your first language (one of them must be English). The program may also make arrangement for an oral test if it deems necessary.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:
- understand more about the program
- determine if you may need support during your studies
- make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.
To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service
The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.
Pathways
When you successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Translating and Interpreting you are guaranteed entry in the Master of Translating and Interpreting with 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 96 credit points).
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT postgraduate programs.
Fees
2021 indicative fees
Full-fee places: AU$24,000.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$313 maximum fee for 2021.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amount quoted is the 2021 total program tuition fee, and is based on a total annual load of 96 credit points. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2021 is $313.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2021 commencement is AU$31,680.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.