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Diploma in Translation (DipTrans)

Benefits | Format | Centres & Courses | Fees & Dates | Links & Resources | Registration & Process

Diploma in Translation examinations will take place on 19th, 20th and 21st January 2010

The Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) was introduced in 1989 as a benchmark of professional standards and has since continued to meet the needs for a high level professional translating qualification.

It is a postgraduate level equivalent qualification intended to test the ability of those who wish to progress into careers as freelance translators or work for corporations worldwide, to a professional standard.

 

Examination Completion Timeframe

Please note that all of our examinations have a five year completion period. The five year full examination completion period applies from the first year that a Candidate receives a letter of Credit or Unit Certificate. Therefore, once a Candidate has received a 'Pass' in any part of an examination, they have four more years to successfully complete all outstanding parts of the examination. For example, if a candidate receives a 'Pass' in 2000, the completion period will be from 2000 until 2004.

» Also

Handbook DipTrans Handbook (PDF, 150kb)
Bulletpoint Search for your nearest Examination Centre or
sit the exam at any British Council abroad

Bulletpoint Compare DipTrans with other IoLET qualifications

Bulletpoint Find out when you can take DipTrans and how much it costs (PDF, 50kb)

Benefits

The DipTrans offers a range of benefits:

 

Relevance

  • A widely recognised international qualification which provides a real measure of professional competence.
Potential
  • Facilitates entry to business and service industries as well as Masters degree level courses.
  • Entitles holders to apply for membership of the Chartered Institute of Linguists.
Flexibility
  • General and semi-specialised units with options in different disciplines, including Business and Law.
  • Wide range of languages covered.
    The examination is available in more than 30 language combinations.
  • Numerous examination centres available worldwide. 
  • Offered in over 35 countries.
  • Up to five (5) years to complete.
Accreditation & Funding
  • Accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
  • Entered into the National Qualifications Framework at Level 7 (postgraduate level).
Recognition
  • Holders of the Diploma in Translation will be granted exemption from Module 6 (Translation Project) of the MA in Translation Studies at Birmingham University.
  • The Diploma in Translation is also recognised by the Open University and credit is awarded in the form of 60 points at level 2 with BA designation.
  • Students who attain a mark of 65% or more in the Annotated Translation Project of the MA in Applied Translation Studies at London Metropolitan University will be moderated by IoLET with a view to granting exemption from Paper 2 or 3 (semi-specialised translation) of the Diploma in Translation.
  • Students who attain a mark of 65% or more in the Translation Project & Commentary of the BA (Hons) in Applied Translation at London Metropolitan University will be moderated by IoLET with a view to granting exemption from Paper 1 (General Translation Paper) of the Diploma in Translation.
  • Holders of the Diploma in Translation may be granted credit for prior experience of up to 40 credits if they wish to follow Aston University's MA Translation programmes, which would amount to exemption from the Practical Translation modules. Students who obtain a mark of 65% or above in the Practical Translation Component of the MA Translation in a European Context and a mark of 70% or above  in the Specialised (LSP) Translation of the BSc in Translation Studies will, subject to IoLET moderation, be granted exemption from Paper 1 of the Diploma in Translation and certification endorsed by Aston University.

 Format

Components

The examination is held in January (Deadline for applications on 31st August 2009).
and consists of three (3) units:

Unit Options Duration
1
General Translation 3 hrs
2 Semi-specialised options:
a) Technology or
b) Business or
c) Literature
2 hrs

 

3 Semi-specialised options:
a) Science or
b) Social Science or
c) Law
2 hrs

 


Languages

The DipTrans can be taken in a range of language combinations including English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Other language combinations may be offered depending on demand. Please note that if the Institute is unable to locate adequately qualified examiners to carry out the examination in certain languages, it reserves the right to withdraw the examination. In such cases candidates' fees will be refunded but the Institute will not be liable for any additional expenditure candidates may have incurred.

 

Portuguese Spelling Reform 

From 2009, new spelling rules for Portuguese are coming into effect. Brazil changed the rules from 1st January 2009. In Portugal the change was passed into law in May 2008 but the law still has to go into effect, which is expected to happen sometime in 2009. Until 2012 examinations candidates can use either the old or the new spelling rules, provided that they use one form consistently. Candidates should specify in their scripts whether they use the old or new spelling. From 2013, the new spelling must be used by all candidates. For further information, please click here.

Examination Centres & Preparation Courses

Examination Centres are those Centres which offer candidates the facility to sit an IoLET examination. Examination Centres may also offer Preparation Courses which lead to an examination, in which case it would also be called a Course Provider.  A Course Provider is an individual or organisation offering Preparation Courses which lead to IoLET examinations. A Course Provider might not be an Examination Centre, i.e. they may not offer candidates the facility to sit the examination. In this case, you can take the preparation course offered but you will then need to find an Examination Centre to sit the examination.

Please be advised that there is an IoLET Open Centre which is able to take candidates who cannot find an Examination Centre or who would simply prefer to sit the examination in London.Candidates wishing to sit the examination at the IoLET Open Centre should contact the Central Registration Department to obtain an information pack containing the latest information.

Fees & Dates

View the fees and dates for the DipTrans examination.

Useful Links and Resources

Find further information and support materials from the selection of resources below:

Information Pack
  • Handbook
    The DipTrans Handbook (PDF, 2.3Mb) includes detailed information about the examination format, criteria, topic areas, regulations and other.

Preparation/Support

Preparation Seminars
The Preparation Seminars offer an overview of the quality standards, tips and advice about the examination. Although each of them only refers to one language combination, the principles can be applied in any other language combination. These seminars have proved useful for past and potential candidates as well as course providers. They should be viewed in conjunction with the Diploma in Translation Handbook.

  • List of Recommendations
    The following document provides all candidates with general recommendations that can help them to better prepare for the examination. List of Recommendations to Candidates (201 Kb)

  • Translator's Notes
    Download your copy of the
    Translator’s Notes (PDF, 20kb) to find out the current conditions concerning the use of translation notes during the examination.
  •  On Chinese Translation

    The Translator: Studies in Intercultural Communication Volume 15, Number 2, 2009

    Chinese Discourses on Translation - Positions and Perspectives

    Guest edited by Martha Cheung, Hong Kong Baptist University

     Available to online subscribers here

Candidate Registration and Examination Process

The following explains how to enrol for an examination and what happens afterwards. The registration and examination process consists of the following four (4) simple steps:

1. Registration Pack

Download your copy of the DipTrans Registration Pack (Zip, 2.4Mb) which includes your DipTrans Entry Card. The Candidate Regulations contained in the pack are current and valid for all of our examinations until May 2010.

You can also, download all relevant documents from the Materials & Publications section or alternatively, you can request to have copies sent to you by post (Tel: 0207 940 3163).

2. Application

Complete and submit your DipTrans Entry Card including payment details within the specified registration deadline to the Central Registration Department.

The registration period runs from 1st May 2009 – 31st August 2009.

3. The Results

Your results will be announced to you and your Examination Centre in writing within fourteen weeks after the last examination.*

4. Certificates

Certificates and Letters of Credit/Unit Certificates will be sent to you within two (2) months after the results have been issued.*

 

* For further information regarding the examination procedures and regulations please refer to the Candidate Regulations. These regulations are current and valid for all of our examinations.

 

 


 
 

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