Course Summary
This qualification is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills as a professional translator, equipping you to work in the fast-growing translation-services industry.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
• A UK honours degree (preferably a 2:1 or above) or other recognised equivalent qualification*
• Proficiency in your first language at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level C2
• Proficiency in your second language at CEFR level C1**
*If you don’t have an honours degree, talk to an advisor.
**If your first language is English, and you’ve passed an OU level 3 module in your second language, your language proficiency should be suitable, as the exit level of our OU level 3 language courses is CEFR C1.
Application Details
See Course Web Page link for next start date.
Fees
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Linguistic
The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
There is an increasing global demand for translators and language specialists, and this qualification will provide you with the knowledge and skills to embark on a career as a translator. This is an immensely rewarding profession for those with an interest in languages and communication, and encompasses a wide and growing range of areas, including audio-visual translation, advertising or website localisation, as well as semi-specialised and specialised translation.
If you wish to pursue a career as a translator, be it as an in-house translator or freelance, this postgraduate diploma will equip you with necessary professional skills and familiarity with the professional tools you will need in this fast-moving field. You will also acquire a raft of highly valued transferable communication and collaborative skills such as peer reviewing and team working, which are useful in a range of occupations in the communications sector.
If you already have a career in the translation field and are seeking a further qualification as a way to develop your career or as a means to update your skills, then this postgraduate diploma could prove invaluable, and you may also consider progressing to the MA in Translation.