| AQF Level |
Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
085029F |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The Masters of Advanced Translation and Interpreting Studies is designed to meet the needs of proficient bilinguals who aim to work as professional translators and interpreters. It is set apart from the Master of Translation and Interpreting Studies in that it allows graduates to achieve greater depth in either Translation or Interpreting or in both disciplines. Furthermore, the award has a stronger research component with a full independent research project. Students will study the skills and knowledge required to perform translating and interpreting in a range of institutional settings common to community and commercial translating and interpreting practice in Australia and overseas with a greater degree of specialisation than in the MTIS. The program focuses on the acquisition of theoretical knowledge relevant to translating and interpreting practice and the application of such knowledge to skills and knowledge required in professional practice. Students are also required to design and implement an extensive research project and execute practicum projects with our industry partners in a variety of settings.
The distinctiveness of the award from the MTIS can be summarized under two categories, namely volume and depth of learning, and research focus.
• Volume and depth of learning
The structure of the program in the excel sheet may not reveal the fact that the MATIS will require students to specialize in at least one of the two fields of T and I, whereas students would be able to complete the MTIS with only the core practical units without one of the specialized units. In addition, in the MATIS, students will be required to take a total of three electives from highly relevant supplementary units in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or T&I, thus awarding them a more advanced grounding in the discipline.
• Research focus
Whereas the required 4cps of independent research in the MTIS is spread over two units (one theoretical unit and one practical unit), this research component will largely be literature reviews or library research. In the MATIS, these two independent assignments together with the Research Methodology unit will be supplemented by an extensive 4cps research project that will build on the research proposal developed in the research methodology unit. What this means is that students who choose to do the MATIS will achieve a much stronger research focus than students in the MTIS. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate advanced and critical understanding of theoretical principles of both translation and interpreting studies (K, T)
2. Demonstrate specialised and advanced translating and or interpreting skills and techniques, with an emphasis on specialised domains in at least one of the two areas (K, T, P)
3. Initiate, plan, implement and evaluate strategies to maintain and improve language skills and knowledge required of professional translators and interpreters (T, E, J, L)
4. Demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge and skills of technological applications for the practice of translation and interpreting (K, T, P)
5. Apply linguistic skills and knowledge to investigate, analyse and synthesize complex information, problems, concepts and theories within the fields of translation and interpreting (K, T, P, J)
6. Apply knowledge and skills creatively and ethically, with a high level of personal autonomy and professional accountability (T, E, J)
7. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of research methodologies in the field of translating and/or interpreting (K, T, P)
8. Apply advanced theoretical and integrated knowledge of established principles and recent developments in translation and interpreting studies (K, T, P)
9. Plan and execute a substantial independent research project in the field of translating and/or interpreting (K, T, P)
10. Communicate theoretical concepts and research findings in a scholarly format (T, P, C). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
In this program, you will be guided and encouraged to acquire the theoretical knowledge and understanding as well as practical skills and methods required to become a professional translator or interpreter. Progressively, you will also be guided to achieve this collaboratively, as well as independently in various practical, research and theoretical activities. These will include lectures, discussion classes, tutorials, seminars, workshops as well as a practicum, online activities, all based on a student-centered approach where you will learn to work collaboratively with peers, but also independently.
Since the program is a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, you will be exposed to a variety of teaching and learning interventions and tasks. These tasks will include various reading activities, information gathering activities, practical exercises, independent research tasks, and self-reflective activities, as well as a practicum where you will obtain experience in a real-world context. You will be encouraged and guided to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in certain parts of the program, in the practical component of the program.
There is a strong technological component in the program, through which you will be trained to engage with and apply various computer tools in both translation and interpreting. Technology is playing an increasingly central role in the work of language professionals, and you will be prepared to engage with various types of technology in executing your practical tasks. Through this emphasis on technology, you will also be guided to acquire skills that will allow you to adapt to a fast-changing reality.
In addition to the skills and knowledge you will acquire, you will also be guided to develop the ability to find creative solutions to complex linguistic problems through practical and research-oriented activities. Through these activities you will learn to engage with linguistic choices in translation and interpreting, conduct yourself in interpersonal relations with various agents in the translation and interpreting communication context in a professional and ethical manner.
The way the program is delivered allows for your independent development of investigative, analytical, and synthesizing linguistic skills and knowledge in a substantial research project where you will be required to deal with complex information, problems, concepts and theories in the practice of translation and interpreting. In these projects, you will be taught to communicate theoretical concepts relevant to your field for the benefit of peers, clients and the general public. |
| Assessment |
The assessment in this program takes a variety of formative and summative forms that can be divided, broadly speaking, into practical assessments, theoretical and analytical assessments and research projects. Clear standards and criteria for these assessments, for what is assessed and how it is assessed, are contained in each unit guide. Some of the practical assessments may be done in part or wholly by other students as peer assessment, and you will also be guided towards improved self-assessment as this is an essential professional skill for translators and interpreters.
The practical component of the coursework constitutes approximately half of the full program, and this weight is also reflected in the assessment in the program. In the first instance, self- and peer-assessment will form an important part of the practical tutorials. The tasks you will be required to complete in these tutorials will also be assessed formatively during the tutorials by lecturers and or tutors, as well as summatively in longer assignments, tests and examinations. In isolated practical units, the summative assessment will also comply with NAATI requirements for accreditation (application for NAATI accreditation remains an individual choice for students).
The theoretical and analytical component of the coursework will be assessed formatively in shorter written assessments in the theoretical units but also as analytical assessments in the practical units. This component will also form a substantial part of the summative assessment in the program.
Students will also be assessed formatively in terms of professional practice through the compilation of a portfolio of practical assignments.
During the final semester of the program, there will be major summative assessments in terms of research methodology and independent research. In the case of research methodology, students will complete a smaller number of formative assessments, before producing a research proposal as summative assessment. In the case of independent research, students will be required to produce a substantial research report in the final semester. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Graduates will be eligible to seek work as professional translators and interpreters and will have professional level accreditation by NAATI if they meet the requirements.
Graduates will be well prepared to pursue a career as professional translators and interpreters in a range of settings including: community translation and interpreting (e.g. governments, courts, tribunals, police, clinics and hospitals), International Conferences (primarily conference interpreting), Business settings (e.g. business meetings, internal and external documents and contracts), commercial products (e.g. manuals, localization), regional and international events (e.g. Olympics and Paralympics).
Graduates will also be equipped to take up translation or interpreting as an entrepreneurial activity as freelance language professionals or in their own agencies.
Currently, there is a demand for translators and interpreters and other language professionals across Australia and internationally. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| External Benchmarks |
NAATI Professional Level (please refer to the descriptions in the earlier section)
(www.naati.com.au) |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) is the accrediting authority for translators and interpreters in Australia. Students will be required to meet all the requirements set in each semester throughout the period of their study in this program. Gaining accreditation through this program will be subject to: the successful completion of all the required units in this program; meeting the benchmark set by NAATI in end-of-semester examinations in TRAN820 and TRAN822 or TRAN834 and TRAN882 and the successful completion of TRAN874. |
