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This program equips students with professional conference interpreting skills, preparing them for career opportunities as certified interpreters. As Ireland's sole program of this nature, it was designed in collaboration with EU institutions. Instruction is delivered by active professionals covering both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting methods, utilizing proven techniques including focus exercises, memory-based interpretation, sight translation, note-taking methods, and guided use of institutional speech databases. The curriculum explores interpreting theory and practice while addressing professional ethics, conference protocols, workplace standards, and operational environments. Participants study EU institutional frameworks, with the university coordinating educational visits to the European Parliament and Commission. Languages currently available include Irish, English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German.
Career Prospects
A postgraduate degree in Conference Interpreting is mandatory for students to qualify for EU Accreditation Tests and pursue professional interpreting roles. Program graduates access significant global employment prospects, as interpreting services are consistently needed for conferences, seminars, and similar events. Numerous alumni secure positions with EU and UN bodies, while opportunities also exist beyond major international organizations.
Students must hold a 2.2 Honours degree (or equivalent). In addition, candidates are expected to have:
Admission to the programme is subject to success in both a suitability test and an interview. Language ability will be ascertained by the programme director during an interview as per a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the EU institutions.
English Language Requirements
IELTS: 6.5 overall, no less than 5.5 in any one component; Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE): 176 overall; Cambridge C2 Advanced (CPE): 180 overall; TOEFL: 88 overall (7 Listening, 16 Speaking, 18 Writing, 8 Reading); Pearson PTE: 61 overall, no less than 48 in any one component.