| Location | Email Address | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Glendon Campus | interpretation@glendon.yorku.ca | yorku.ca/glendon/gradstudies/interpretation/ |
The Graduate Program in Conference Interpreting program seeks to prepare a new generation of skilled and knowledgeable professionals for a rewarding career in this dynamic, fast-paced field.
The Master of Conference Interpreting degree is a two-year (six-term) program. Candidates must pass an aptitude test, at which point they enter Year One. Upon successful completion of the first three terms of Year One, students have the option of exiting the program and receiving the Graduate Diploma in General Interpreting. Those who elect to stay in the program must pass the transition examination leading to Year Two. After the successful completion of another three terms—and of the end-of-degree exit examination—students earn the Master of Conference Interpreting degree.
Admission Requirements
Master of Conference Interpreting Program/Diploma in General Interpreting
To be granted standard admission to the program, applicants must meet two principal conditions.
First, candidates must successfully complete the aptitude test, described above. The test measures candidates’ aptitude for interpreting between English and another language, in large part by assessing their proficiency. However, the measures outlined below will also be used to assess language competence.
Second, they must hold an honours undergraduate degree or equivalent (typically a four-year full-time program) from an accredited postsecondary institution with a minimum grade point average of “B” in the final two years of full-time equivalent study. Applicants with a degree in translation are a good fit for the program, but so too are candidates with undergraduate training in other areas that have obvious relevance to interpreting, such as finance, economics, politics, public administration, law, and healthcare.
English Language Proficiency
Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants who do not meet one of the following criteria:
- Their first language is English; OR
- They have completed at least one year of full-time study at an accredited university in a country (or institution) where English is the official language of instruction. If required, proof of English language proficiency shall include one of the following:
- a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language score of 600 (paper based), 250 (computer based) or 100 (internet based)
- an International English Language Testing System overall band score of 7.5
- a York English Language Test score of Band 1
To be granted advanced entry to the program (direct entry to Year Two), candidates must have sufficient professional experience. They must also submit a petition to the Graduate Program Director to waive program requirements (grant additional transfer credits). These candidates are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and are required to pass the Master of Conference Interpreting transition examination.