Master of Interpreting

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Build dynamic skills in communicating the spoken word and help to develop stronger connections between cultures and countries. With the UNSW Master of Interpreting, you’ll explore research-based theory and gain practical experience in professional settings. Advance your career and promote a global community.

Commencing Terms: Term 1, 2 & 3
Duration: 1.7 Year(s)
Delivery Mode: Face-to-face (includes blended), Online
Campus: Kensington
Codes: Program code 8202; CRICOS code 083233G


Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this program 2025 Indicative CSP first year fee: $4,500*
2025 Indicative CSP fee to complete degree: $7,000*
2025 Indicative first year full fee: $47,500*
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree: $74,000*

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13 language options
NAATI endorsed
Professional experience

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Overview

The UNSW Master of Interpreting is a 1.7 year full-time postgraduate degree that gives you practical experience in professional settings, alongside skills and theoretical foundations based on current research. Learn from leading interpreting and linguistics practitioners and researchers to prepare a successful career and open up opportunities in a variety of industries, both in Australia and overseas. This degree prepares you for National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) certification.��

This degree builds dynamic skills in communicating the spoken word. If you're more interested in communicating the written word, please see the .

Key features

Career skills
Build desirable career skills in critical analysis, project management, teamwork, independent research and preparation.

Specialist topics
Build legal, medical, welfare, business, community and conference interpreting knowledge.

Language variety
You can combine English with Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), French, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish or Turkish (subject to student demand).

Links with industry
UNSW is an affiliate of AUSIT, the national professional association for interpreters and translators. Work Integrated Opportunities may also be offered within or outside of the university by different organisations. These opportunities allow you to participate in real-world interpreting work or observe experienced interpreters working in various professional settings.��

Why study this degree at UNSW?

We're ranked 4th in Australia for Arts & Humanities according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
Become qualified through a endorsed program
Be supported by our diverse, collaborative and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community.
Learn through research-informed teaching
Prioritise career success - UNSW won the Australian Financial Review's Most Employable Students Award in 2024.
Benefit from strong��industry links and partnerships
Access world-class alumni connections
Join a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2024)
Join a community that’s part of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities

Program Code

8202

CRICOS Code

083233G

Campus

Kensington

Total Units of Credit (UOC)

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Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65% and an advanced level of bilingual proficiency.

Applicants should provide the evidence of proficiency in the nominated language through prior study or NAATI certification/accreditation. Alternatively, upon submitting an application, applicants may be prompted to undertake a proficiency test.

Relevant disciplines include: Interpreting and Translation, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Media, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Business, Economics, Commerce, Law, Linguistics, Languages and Cognitive Science.

Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire at��studyarts@unsw.edu.au.

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English language requirements

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You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

English language tests and university English courses
Prior study in the medium of English
Other qualifications

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Applicants must hold a bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65% and an advanced level of bilingual proficiency^{^}.

^{^}Students from a non-211 university in China are now required to have a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW distinction average (75%).

Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance may apply and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

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English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Select from the options below

Which applies to you?

Program structure

The Master of Interpreting can be completed in 1.7 years full-time. It consist of 12 courses (72 Units of Credit) that includes 3 core courses, 4 advanced courses and 5 elective courses

You can also study an optional, additional course that has no credit value but develops your academic writing skills for humanities subjects.

This degree builds dynamic skills in communicating the spoken word. If you are more interested in communicating the written word, please see the UNSW Master of Translation.

Full program structure

Each university year at UNSW has three terms and an optional summer study period.

Some courses need to be studied in your first and second year, so you’re prepared for courses that can only be studied in later years. You can study full-time or part-time. Depending on how you plan your study load, you can fit two or three courses into a term and one course in a summer term.

Below is an example of what you could study in a standard full-time study plan.

First year

2 Core courses
1 Research core course
5 Elective courses

Second year

4 Advanced core courses

Future careers

A skilled professional interpreter understands the nuanced meaning of language, which includes culture and context, to accurately convey the intended spoken message.

Graduates of UNSW Master of Interpreting possess the skills required for global careers in government and in the private sector including law, health, education, tourism, business, media, science and technology, and international relations.

Potential careers

Education and Academia
Tourism
Business and Economics
Media and Journalism
Marketing and Publishing
Science and Technology
Health
Law and International Relations

Accreditation

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, The program is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) and also prepares students to sit the certification exams administered by NAATI for qualification as a Certified Provisional Interpreter, Certified Interpreter, and Certified Translator. With certain coursework, our program will also prepare students to sit specialist certification exams for Certified Advanced Translator, Certified Specialist Interpreter (Health), Certified Specialist Interpreter (Legal) and Certified Conference Interpreter.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted through our��portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date.��.

Ready to start your application?

For most international students, applications are submitted via��our  service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement��date. For��more information visit��our .

Ready to start your application?

Fees & Scholarships

Commonwealth Supported Places

2024 Indicative CSP First Year Fee

$4,500*

2024 Indicative CSP Fee to Complete Degree

$7,000*

All places within this degree are Commonwealth supported. This means that if you receive an offer from UNSW Sydney as a domestic student, you will have a substantial proportion of your fees�� subsidised by the Australian government. Start your application today with our guide on how to apply.��

Commonwealth Study Assistance such as Ausstudy, and Youth Allowance is available for some Masters degrees. For the most up-to-date information and list of degrees visit .

2025 Indicative First Year Full Fee

$31,500*

2025 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree

$48,000*

*The indicative Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) fees are an estimate based on the relevant student contribution band/s for a Commonwealth Supported Place undertaking a standard full-time load of 48 units of credit per year (1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load/1 EFTSL). To find out more about Commonwealth Supported Places visit Postgraduate Commonwealth Support.

Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the degree/program. The indicative fee listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year).

You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the .

2025 Indicative First Year Fee

$47,500*

2025 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree

$74,000*

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).

Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the��.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.

Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit��.

Scholarships

At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.