Overview
This research Master’s in Interpreting Studies includes taught and research-based elements. You’ll focus on one aspect of interpreting studies, such as:
- the cognitive, emotional, and psycholinguistic dimensions of interpreting
- social and cultural aspects of interpreting
- processes and products of interpreting
- pedagogy of interpreter training
We offer expert supervision in the following areas:
- Interpreting (Dr Cacheiro Quintas, Dr Chen, Dr Du, Dr Jin, Dr Wu)
- Interpreting and society and culture (Dr Chen)
- Interpreting and ethics, ideology, and power (Dr Chen, Dr Du)
- Interpreting products, processes and strategies (Dr Chen, Dr Jin)
- Interpreter training and assessment (Dr Chen, Dr Wu)
- Interpreting technology (Dr Chen)
- Psycholinguistics of interpreting (Dr Jin)
- Emotion and interpreting (Dr Chen)
- Sociolinguistics, discourse analysis in interpreting (Dr Chen, Dr Du)
- Linguistic diversity and social justice (Dr Du)
- Reflective/autonomous learning and educational psychology (Dr Chen)
- Legal translation and legal and medical interpreting (Dr Cacheiro Quintas, Dr Du)
- Ethics of interpreting (Dr Cacheiro Quintas)
We can offer support for projects involving English plus the following languages:
- Chinese
- Spanish
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
Taught modules aim to extend your knowledge and skills beyond undergraduate-level and help to develop your research skills.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Interpreting Studies MLitt modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Modern Languages MLitt Research Assignments | 80 |
| Modern Languages Dissertation | 80 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Information Skills | 10 |
| Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | 20 |
| The Making and Unmaking of Knowledge | 10 |
How you’ll learn
Our programme is delivered by the School of Modern Languages, with the possibility of joint supervision with other schools. You’ll mainly be based in Newcastle’s city-centre campus. Attendance is flexible and agreed between you and your supervisors depending on the requirements of the research project.
Full-time students are expected to undertake 40 hours of work per week with an annual holiday entitlement of 35 days (including statutory and bank holidays). Part-time study requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week.
Study consists mainly of tutorials and independent learning supported by research training. Supervisors will advise applicants on how to develop their research proposals.
The Interpreting Studies MLitt includes a formal research training component where you develop research skills and methodologies (20 credits).
You may also attend relevant lectures and seminars offered for the following postgraduate taught programmes (without assessment):
- MA Conference Interpreting
- MA Translation Studies
- MA Translation and Interpreting
- MA Translation and Localisation
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
Additional assessment information
You will complete a portfolio of essays chosen in consultation with your supervisors according to your interests and experience (80 credits). You will then undertake a dissertation of 16,000–18,000 words consisting of a sustained piece of original research (80 credits).
You will normally work on a research project which comprises two to four research assignments and a longer dissertation. Your supervisor will be an expert in your chosen field.
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You will have access to specialist resources and IT facilities. The Robinson Library has a vast collection of resources on translation and interpreting studies. These are accessible onsite or via the Library’s digital service.
You will also have access to:
- Two dedicated interpreting suites
- Our online memoQ translation server, which is unique in UK Translation and Interpreting programmes
- Professional CAT tools (Trados and memoQ) are also installed in the Learning Resource Centre with the subtitling tools (Aegisub and SubtitleEdit) – all PG students have access to this.
- Our Language Resource Centre dedicated to the study of languages. The centre contains a vast collection of books and audio-visual tools. It also has computing facilities linked to a digital speech bank.
As a postgraduate student, you will also have access to a senior common room.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a subject relevant to the research proposal.
