Interpreting - Research

Overview

The Centre for Translation and Interpreting provides a vibrant environment for both disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship. Recognised as a centre of excellence for research into the languages, literatures, histories, linguistics, visual cultures, and cultural identities of Europe and beyond, the Centre is founded on a dynamic and forward-looking research ethos. Translation is a field of research that is expanding dynamically. We welcome innovative research proposals that interrogate – through either practice- or research-led projects – interpreting in a variety of areas and modes, for example:

• the role of the interpreter in the complex network of requirements, expectations, and perceptions;

• interpreter training;

• interpreting principles and practices;

• interpreting ethics;

• legal and social contexts for interpreting;

• cognitive studies of interpreting, especially with eye-tracking technology;

• community interpreting;

• court interpreting;

• sign language interpreting;

• interpreting as a profession;

• interpreting industry.



Subject Summary

You will be an inquisitive researcher keen to investigate various modes and aspects of interpreting in the wider world. Your research may cover areas including simultaneous interpreting, consecutive interpreting, business interpreting, public service interpreting, legal interpreting, sign language interpreting, sight translation, and many others. You will enjoy the benefits of a network of regional, national and international connections with leading translation centres, including in Brazil, China, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Spain, the UAE, and the USA. You will meet and engage with staff with research profiles of international standing, with a wide and diverse range of interests in interpreting and translation studies, including consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, sight translation, digital and media contexts, literature, travel writing, international development, theatre and performance, hermeneutics and translation theory, histories, education, religious texts, landscape and place, museums, subtitling, audio-description and accessibility.



The School hosts several large research projects across all the language areas, funded by the AHRC, British Academy, the Leverhulme Trust, and Horizon 2020. The Centre is home to a large group of PhD students (around 45) from all across the world (China, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Mongolia, UK, Oman, Spain). Our weekly Seminar Series attracts renowned scholars and practitioners and is open to all PhD students. It provides you with an opportunity to become familiar with a range of translation research topics and professional experiences, and to network with peers and staff members. You are also welcome to audit classes on the MA Interpreting and MA Translation programmes.



Mode of study/duration

Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Graduate

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. While a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) is not essential, it is desirable and applicants without this qualification will be considered on a case-by-case basis.



International Students

Please see International Student's link below.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

6 Calendar Years (Part Time) / 3 Calendar Years (Full Time).

Entry Year: Academic Year 2025/26

Career Prospects

Introduction

Now more than ever postgraduate qualifications in Interpreting and/or Translation are in high demand. Many of our graduates work immediately as free-lance professionals, some even choosing to launch their own agencies. Others have recently secured employment in higher education (e.g. in China, Jordan, Iraq, Brazil, University of Glasgow, University of East Anglia, QUB), advertising agencies, as well as private and public companies and institutions.