The DPSI developed out of the 1983 Community Interpreter Project and represents professional level skills in public service interpreting.
It is a first-degree level qualification (NQF Level 6) in terms of language skills required for those interpreting in the UK in a Public Service context.
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.
FAQs for DPSI Unit 3 and 'Fatal Error' can be found under 'Links and Resources'
Benefits
The DPSI offers a range of benefits:
Relevance
Provides a nationally consistent standard of professionalism for those who wish to progress into careers as interpreters using English in a Public Service context.
Potential
Facilitates entry to business and service industries as well as Masters degree level courses.
Entitles holders to apply for registration on the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI Ltd).
Entitles holders to apply for membership of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (IoL).
Flexibility
Wide range of languages covered The examination is available in more than 40 languages.
Offered in three (3) specialised options: 1. Health; 2. Law (English or Scottish); 3. Local Government
Accreditation
Accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
Entered into the National Qualifications Framework at Level 6 (first degree level).
Recognition
The Diploma in Public Service Interpreting is recognised by the Open University; credit is awarded in the form of 30 points at level 1 with BA designation.
Format
Components
The examination is held in June (Deadline for applications is on 28th February) and consists of the following modules:
Interpreting using consecutive and whispered techniques
Sight translation from and into English
Written Translation from and into English
Add-ons
Candidates may also choose from the following Add-ons (subject to minimum candidate numbers):
From 2009 some new spelling rules for Portuguese are coming into effect.
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.
* when applying candidates need to specify which language combination or language variant they wish to enter for.
If the Institute is unable to locate adequately qualified examiners to carry out the examination in any of the above 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 the candidates may have incurred. The setting of an exam paper in a particular language may be subject to a minimum number of candidates. Alternatively, a scale of fees may apply. If you are interested in a certain language that has not been offered recently, please contact us by the end of February for the language to be included in the next year's session (e.g. by end of February 2009 for the language to be included in the 2010 DPSI examination).
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.
Find further information and support materials from the selection of resources here
Information Pack
DPSI Handbook The DPSI Handbook 2006 (PDF, 460kb) includes detailed information about the examination format, criteria, topic areas, regulations and other.
Chief Moderator's Report The DPSI Chief Moderator's Report 2009 (PDF,125kb) presents an overview of candidates' profiles and languages, examination results and other issues from past DPSI examinations.
DPSI Tutors’ E-Group This initiative allows course tutors to interact with each other and/or exchange their opinions as well as obtain updates regarding recent developments (ex: format changes).
(To join, please forward your e-mail and name to dpsilinks.update@iol.org.uk. As the IoL needs to be able to verify that you are indeed a course tutor, please also pass on the above address to your centre and ask them to mail us to confirm your status with them.)
Training Video (DVD) Purchase the Training Video to gain an invaluable insight into the procedures of the DPSI examination.
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:
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 DPSI Entry Card including payment details within the specified registration deadline to the Central Registration Department.
The registration period runs from 1st November – 28th February for the June session.
3. The Results
Your results will be announced to you and your Examination Centre in writing within twelve weeks after the last examination*.
4. Certificates
Certificates and Letters of Credit/Unit Certificates will be sent to your Examination Centre (apart from those for candidates at the IoL Open Centre) within two (2) months after the results have been issued.
Your certificate will then be sent and/or awarded to you from your Examination Centre.*
* 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.
