Conference Interpreting

Course Overview

This programme trains students in the professional skills of conference interpreting, enabling them to avail of the employment opportunities for qualified interpreting professionals. It is the only course of its kind in Ireland—a programme developed in conjunction with the institutions of the EU. Training is provided by practicing professionals in both modes of conference interpreting—consecutive and simultaneous interpreting—and employs recommended techniques: concentration exercises, interpretation from memory, sight interpreting, note-taking techniques and monitored use of the institutional speech repository. Students study the theory and practice of interpreting, and also examine professional ethics and conference preparation/ procedures, along with working practices and conditions. Students will study the institutions of the EU, and the university organises a study visit to the European Parliament and Commission. Irish, English, French, Spanish, Italian and German are offered on the programme to date.



Other languages may be considered based on student numbers.



Course Outline

The training provided covers both modes of conference interpreting, consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, and employs recommended techniques: concentration exercises, active listening, interpretation from memory, sight interpreting, note-taking techniques, chuchotage, liaison and monitored use of the institutional speech repository. Students study the theory and practice of interpreting, various communication skills and gain experience through voice coaching and public speaking. Students also examine professional ethics and conference preparation/procedures, along with working practices and conditions. Throughout the course, students will study the institutions of the European Union, and the University organises a study visit to the European Parliament and Commission, giving an insight into a conference interpreter’s working life.



Irish, English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German have been offered on the programme to date, with provision for other languages, where possible, based on student demand.



Special features

• This is the only conference Interpreting programme in Ireland and the only interpreting course in the world offering Irish.



• This qualification is essential for applying for the multitude of positions available to interpreters internationally.



• The programme has two dedicated conference suites with state-of-the-art conferencing equipment that allows students to experience a real conference setting where simultaneous interpreting, relay, retour and even remote interpreting can be experienced and practiced.



• Our trainers are themselves professional conference interpreters, supported in class by regular pedagogical input from the staff interpreters of the intuitions of the European Union.

Module

• AT121 Consecutive Interpreting I

• AT 122 Simultaneous Interpreting I

• AT 123/7 Consecutive Interpreting II/III

• AT 124/8 Simultaneous Interpreting II/III

• AT129 The European Union

• AT130 Research Methodologies

• Voice coaching ^

• Psychometric Testing ^

• Theory and Practice of Interpreting *

• AT126 Project / Thesis **



^ Unique to the programme at University of Galway, these are non-examination modules designed to assist students in their future professional career.

* Included in all practical interpreting modules throughout the year

** In relation to the MA only.



Year 1

Required Module

• AT126: Tráchtas / Thesis

• AT129: An tAontas Eorpach / The European Union

• AT130: Modheolaíochtaí Taighde / Research Methodology

• AT121: Ateangaireacht Leantach I / Consecutive Interpreting I

• AT122: Ateangaireacht Chomhuaineach I / Simultaneous Interpreting I



Optional Modules

• AT123: Ateangaireacht Leantach II / Consecutive Interpreting II

• AT124: Ateangaireacht Chomhuaineach II / Simultaneous Interpreting II

• AT127: Ateangaireacht Leantach III / Consecutive Interpreting III

• AT128: Ateangaireacht Chomhuaineach III / Simultaneous Interpreting III



Please see Course Web Page above for module details.

Students must hold a 2.2 Honours degree (or equivalent). In addition, candidates are expected to have:

• An excellent command of their mother tongue;

• Good communication skills;

• Strong comprehension of their chosen languages;

• A high degree of motivation.



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.



The entrance assessment involves:

• A short interview to assess your motivation and attitude towards the course;

• Translation of a short article from each of your working languages, without the use of translation tools or dictionaries (This is done electronically and does not require a presence in Galway)

• A concentration exercise in your proposed language combination, i.e. you will listen to a 2-3 minutes speech in each of your C or B languages and will have to reformulate it in your A language/mother tongue. The oral reproduction of these short and structured speeches from the candidate’s C and B languages* into A* and, where appropriate, A into B, is to test applicants’ ability to listen to, understand, process and reproduce a short speech on a general topic. They must show that they have understood the message and are able to communicate it. (This is done electronically and does not require a presence in Galway).

Closing Date:

No deadline. Offers will be issued on a continuous basis, however, candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible as places are limited to 12 and demand outweighs supply.



Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

MA: 1 calendar year (September to August)

PDip: 1 academic year

Next start date: September 2025

Career Opportunities

Students must obtain a postgraduate qualification in Conference Interpreting to allow them to sit the Inter-Institutional EU Accreditation Tests and work as a professional conference interpreter. Students completing this course can avail of considerable employment opportunities worldwide as interpreting services are frequently required at conferences, seminars and so on. Many graduates work with EU and UN institutions. Opportunities are also available outside the large international organisations.