Build on your advanced bilingual skills to understand theories and industrial issues.
Gain the real-world practical skills you need to take your language abilities to the next level.
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.
Learn from experts with extensive industry experience, knowledge and connections.
Endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Collaborate with industry, gain critical skills and begin an industry-led qualification.
Collaborate with industry, gain critical skills and begin an industry-led qualification. You'll have access to teachers with extensive industry experience and knowledge.
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:
Please note: some languages may not have a designated tutor, and your study may take place in a non-language specific setting.
I chose this course because I wanted to do something practical with my language abilities. Language access is so important. If you are bilingual and enjoy helping people communicate, I highly recommend you do this course.
Katy Collie, Master of Translating and Interpreting
This degree caters for both face-to-face and online learning modes.
Through your studies in this degree, you will develop specialised knowledge of current and emerging industrial and ethical issues in the field, and gain an advanced understanding of written and spoken discourse analysis.
You'll use translation technologies to streamline translation work and become familiar with technological advances in the field.
You will experience a range of teaching and learning approaches, including independent research, lectures, tutorials and workshops, problem-based learning activities, and professional projects.
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, you will be allocated to a non-language-specific language stream, where you will work with students of other languages and will may have language-specific tuition several a few times a semester where possible.
Your knowledge and skills will be assessed through written work, presentations, independent and group projects, online discussion, industry-based assessment, and exams and tests. You will also demonstrate a range of verbal, written and online approaches of communication.
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. You are expected to form study groups and use practice materials provided to maximise skill development and improvement. Periodic feedback on your performance into your language other than English (LOTE) will be facilitated by the teachers and instructors through sending practice recordings/texts/digital files to suitably qualified persons to provide feedback in electronic format.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.
As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:
RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.
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.
RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through overseas work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.
The Graduate Diploma of Translating and Interpreting 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.
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
Graduates of this course are qualified to work in a wide range of work contexts and industries in Australia and overseas.
Potential employers include:
Broader career prospects include employment in government areas such as:
Graduates can also freelance as translators/interpreters.
This course is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Graduates will be eligible to sit external NAATI certification test(s) at various levels, depending on the subjects studied in the course.
You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.
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.
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.
*If your qualification was completed more than 10 years ago you will need to provide evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the same discipline as the program for which you are seeking entry to be granted credit.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
You must submit a personal statement outlining:
To meet the LOTE requirement, you must have completed a qualification equivalent to an AQF level 7 Bachelor degree that was taught and assessed in your nominated LOTE. If you do not meet this requirement, you must complete the LOTE test.
You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.
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:
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.
You can gain entry to this graduate diploma from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Upon completion of this program, you can continue your studies in MC214 Master in Translating and Interpreting, subject to the program's entrance requirements and receive 96 credit points of advanced standing into the master program.
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (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.
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.
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
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 2025 is $365.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.
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.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
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.
You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.
See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
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