Postgraduate Course

Postgraduate Diploma Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting

How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 9 months

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Language and Linguistics

PG Diploma Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting should interest you if you want to build your language proficiency in Chinese and English, and further develop the translation and interpreting techniques that are required by employers.

Postgraduate (PG) Diplomas last for six to nine months (full-time) and include the modules and assessed work of a Masters, without a dissertation. This allows you to proceed to a Masters in Languages if your undergraduate degree was in a different subject.

Building on our internationally recognised expertise in the teaching of practical foreign language skills, our course offers written translation, oral interpreting and film and video subtitling in a single programme. By the end of your studies, you will have developed the practical language and key skills necessary for employment in professional translation, interpreting and subtitling.

Our course will build on the knowledge and skills you acquired in your previous qualifications, and is unique in the emphasis it places on hands-on training. With the help of native speakers, you learn how to use your language skills to translate, interpret and subtitle effectively, using the latest industry-standard software, in a culturally sensitive way.

You cover topics including:

Bilateral, consecutive and simultaneous interpreting
Technologies of translation
Effective note-taking
Written translation

If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome to Essex.

Why we're great.

We are 1st in UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (Grade Point Average, REF 2021)
Work in our state-of-the-art interpreter training lab and UN-style conference interpreting booths
Weekly multilingual interpreting conferences, field trips and workshops led by internationally renowned experts from the industry

Our expert staff

Our lecturers are skilled interpreters and translators, experienced in training students with the necessary skills for professional practice. We maintain excellent student-staff ratios with capped language-specific seminars and all our language teachers are native or bilingual speakers.

Our lecturers on the PG Diploma (Dan Chen, Nan Zhao and Yanxi Wu) are professional interpreters and translators experienced in training students in the necessary skills for professional practice.

Specialist facilities

Our new interpreting lab provides 10 booths to interpret conferences with up to 20 interpreters
Use our lecture theatre equipped with five interpreting booths, and the capacity to interpret lectures of up to 350 people – we are the only university in the UK with such facilities
We regularly use two multimedia language teaching labs equipped with top-of-the-range computers integrating audio-visual projectors and large screens
Use specialist software such as SDL Trados Studio 2019 and MemoQ for technical translation, Avidanet Live and Black Box for Interpreting and WinCaps Qu4ntum for Subtitling
Use our professional recording studios to video record a small audience or for presentations
An exciting programme of research seminars and other events
Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost

Your future

Our course directly leads to a career in translation, interpreting and subtitling, in the media, business and tourism between the English-speaking world and China.

We work with the University's Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

After the Postgraduate Diploma Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting study, many of our students move on to an MA course, for example: MA Translation and Professional Practice, MA Advanced Interpreting with Specialised Translation and MA Conference Interpreting and Translation, where you can focus on modules and topics you are most interested in for another year to hone your translation and/or interpreting skills for employment, as well as doctoral studies if you prefer.

Within our Department of Language and Linguistics, we also offer supervision for PhD and MPhil. We offer supervision in areas including language acquisition, language learning and language teaching, culture and communication, psycholinguistics, language disorders, sociolinguistics, and theoretical and descriptive linguistics.

Our graduates are successful in a wide variety of career paths. They leave Essex with a unique set of skills and experience that are in demand by employers.

“I’ve had the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment in the interpreting lab and be involved in some wonderful lectures, both of which have given me an unparalleled study experience. Studying here has reassured me of my aspirations and also helped me realise my potential.”

Yanzhu Chen, Former Postgraduate Diploma Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting student

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in any discipline.

You may also be considered with a lower-class degree if you have translation, linguistics or interpreting experience.

Applicants are required to successfully pass a Translation aptitude test.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Technologies of Translation

(15 CREDITS)

Want hands-on experience of the key technologies that aid translation today? Become a confident user of CAT (computer aided translation) in the translation environment. Practice and develop your translation and editing skills via our practical workshops, so that you are familiar with all stages of the translation process.

View Technologies of Translation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Translation Portfolio (Chinese-English) I

(15 CREDITS)

Want to translate English and Chinese? Develop your practical abilities to translate between these two languages. Study a range of texts, looking at topics related to society, politics, economics and business, to build your knowledge of the relevant terminology and typical constructions.

View Translation Portfolio (Chinese-English) I on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Introduction to Consecutive Interpreting

(15 CREDITS)

Are you new to interpreting and want some beginners-level training? Undertake practical activities and tasks, including participation in a mock conference, to develop your interpretation skills. Learn to understand and process the main ideas of a speech accurately and concisely. Devise your own note-taking system and build your public speaking. As part of this module you have the opportunity to undertake a real-time interpreting assignment for the Colchester Information tour or an interpreting internship. You may incur associated travel costs for these trips within Colchester.

View Introduction to Consecutive Interpreting on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Intercultural Communication: communicating across languages and cultures

(15 CREDITS)

This module will acquaint you with some of the existing approaches and issues in intercultural communication, balancing theoretical insight with advanced practical skills. You will investigate communication patterns in different cultures and languages including illocutionary force, indirect speech acts and politeness and look at how cultural norms, values and conventions influence linguistic choices across languages and cultures.

View Intercultural Communication: communicating across languages and cultures on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Introduction to Simultaneous Interpreting

(15 CREDITS)

Are you proficient in both Chinese and English? Want to develop a practical experience of simultaneous interpreting? Keen to understand the syntactic difference between Chinese and English during the simultaneous interpretation process? Undertake guided exercises and examples to build your simultaneous interpretation skills for the future.

View Introduction to Simultaneous Interpreting on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

Introduction to Bilateral Interpreting

(15 CREDITS)

How do you interpret between two individual speakers, conversing in two different languages that you have studied? Develop your ability to swiftly move between your two main languages on a range of topics. Learn to quickly solve interpretation problems while providing accurate and concise spoken interpretations. As part of this module, you have the opportunity to go on a field trip to the V&A Museum for interpreting of art and museum subjects. The cost for this is £10 and you will also incur travel costs.

View Introduction to Bilateral Interpreting on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY

Translation Portfolio II (Chinese-English)

(15 CREDITS)

In this module, you will continue to practice weekly translation of texts of different domains and genres, to further improve your skills according to the specific requirements of translation. Texts will be taken from educational, socio-political and promotional areas mainly. You will learn to analyse the source texts at various levels, identify translation challenges and overcome them by applying different strategies and translation techniques. In line with current translation practices, you will be trained to translate into both Chinese and English. This will ensure that you are equipped to enter the translation market and have an edge over your competitors.

View Translation Portfolio II (Chinese-English) on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 08: COMPULSORY

LA888-7-SP

(15 CREDITS)

View LA888-7-SP on our Module Directory

Teaching

Postgraduate students of English Language and Linguistics would typically attend a two-hour teaching event for each module every week. Seminars would usually have about 20 students.

Postgraduate students of translation modules typically involve two hours of classes per week. Interpreting modules typically involve four hours of classes per week. Classes usually contain up to 20 students within each group.

Teaching methods include lectures, demonstrations and learning by teaching others
We run a weekly departmental seminar, attended by both staff and students

Assessment

Your eight one-term modules are assessed by coursework and you are also assessed on your dissertation

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£8,400

You have the opportunity to take part in seminars delivered by DG Interpretation (DG SCIC) and DG Translation at the European Commission during our optional annual trip to Brussels. The additional cost for this is £250, depending on your mode of travel.

International fee

£18,200

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

Find out more

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.