Diploma in Arts/Bachelor of Arts (Interpreting and Translation) (6041)

  • Approved Abbreviation: DipArts/BA Int&Trans
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 6041
  • AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 0100188

This program is suspended from Term 1, 2025, no new students will be admitted from this session.

This program applies to students who commenced in 2018 or later. 

The Bachelor of Arts (Interpreting and Translation) program is designed to provide students with appropriate training and theoretical background to equip them to work as professional interpreters and/or translators. The program consists of a key field of study in Interpreting and Translation and a major in language, linguistics and cultural studies. Students also complete a period of professional practical experience. Students who complete the program are eligible to sit for certification by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) at the Certified Interpreter and Translator level. Students in Diploma in Arts/ Bachelor of Arts (Interpreting and Translation) may qualify for the alternate exit program 1813 Bachelor of Arts (Interpreting and Translation Studies) by completing a subject in lieu of LANG 3067 Preparation for NAATI Certification (UG).

The first year of this program is delivered by Western Sydney University The College, as an agent of Western Sydney University, via extended face-to-face hours in smaller learning environments. A Diploma in Arts exit point is also available at the end of the first year of the program.

For more information on Western Sydney University, The College, please refer to their web site.

Western Sydney University, The College

Early Exit

Students may exit this program on completion of 110 credit points with a 7049 Diploma in Arts

Study Mode

Three years full-time or six years part-time.

Program Advice

College Program Enquiries

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Bankstown City Campus 1 Full Time Internal See above
Parramatta City Campus-Macquarie Street1 2 Full Time Internal See above
Parramatta City Campus-Macquarie Street Part Time Internal See above
The College - Nirimba Education Precinct1 Full Time Internal See above
1

Students will study at either Bankstown City or WSU The College Nirimba campus for their first year of study.

2

From second year onwards, students will study at Parramatta City Campus.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Arts (Interpreting and Translation) is an Endorsed Qualification for the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) at the Certified Interpreter and Translator level (formerly Level 3). Students who wish to sit for NAATI Certification must pass the subject LANG 3067 Preparation for NAATI Certification (UG). Students who are unable to pass this subject will be able to graduate with the Bachelor of Arts (Interpreting and Translation Studies) as an alternative exit, provided they pass an alternative subject of 10 credit points.

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.

Inherent requirements

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

For more information on applying please see link to The College admission pages below.

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/thecollege/how_to_apply

Domestic students are required to have

  • Competency in English at IELTS 6.0 equivalent (unless a native speaker) Or
  • Passed The College English test with 70% or higher Or
  • Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English subject at C grade level or higher.

Met other entry requirements such as

  • An ATAR identified prior to the offer of a place, Or
  • Completed The College Foundation Studies program with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

International students must satisfy one of the following language requirements

  • IELTS 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each sub band Or
  • Completed the College EAP 4 program with a 50% pass Or
  • Passed The College English test with 70% or higher Or
  • Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English subject at C grade level or higher for which advanced standing can be applied for.

Academic Entry Requirements vary according to country of origin. However, in general

  • Completion of Year 12 or its equivalent is the minimum entry requirement Or
  • Completed The College Foundation Studies program with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 270 credit points which include the subjects listed under the recommended Sequence tab.  Students must also complete a minimum of 60 credit points at Level 3.

Western Sydney University The College subjects

Bankstown, Parramatta City and Nirimba (The College subjects only)

Please note that all campuses may not have intakes each year.

  • Students must pass all College Preparatory subjects before progressing to the Year 2 subjects.
  • Students must pass at least 70 credit points of University level subjects in Year 1 before progressing to the Year 2 subjects.

In order to ensure that Bachelor of Arts students meet the program requirements, all students must seek advice from their Academic Program Advisor when transitioning to the second year of their program.

Qualification for this award then requires the successful completion of a further 160 credit points with no less than 60 credit points at Level 3.

Western Sydney University subjects

Parramatta City Campus

Interpreting and Translation Pool

Students must complete 60 credit points from the Interpreting and Translation pool.

Subject Title Credit Points
LANG 2014Community Translation (UG)10
LANG 2023Interpreting Skills10
LANG 3060Legal Interpreting (UG)10
LANG 3065Medical Interpreting (UG)10
LANG 3083Specialised Translation (UG)10
LANG 3084Text Analysis for Translation (UG)10
LANG 2047Translation Technologies10

Linguistics Pool

Students must complete 30 credit points from the Linguistics pool.

Subject Title Credit Points
LANG 3016Bilingualism and Biculturalism10
LANG 1014Introduction to Linguistics10
LANG 3071Second Language Acquisition10
LANG 2041Structure of Language10
LANG 1028The Sound of Language10
LANG 2034Meaning in Language10
LANG 2037Pragmatics10
LANG 3030Discourse Analysis10
LANG 3034Historical Linguistics10
LANG 3045Intercultural Communication10
BEHV 3019Psychology of Language10
LANG 3031Discovering language: Everything you've ever wanted to know but never asked10
LANG 3073Sociolinguistics10

Languages Pool

Students must complete 20 credit points from this pool at Level 3.

Arabic

Level 3 Arabic language pool from the Bachelor of Arts listed under the Arabic, Major

Subject Title Credit Points
LANG 3009Arabic 30110
LANG 3011Arabic 302 - Arabic Advanced Language and Grammar10
LANG 3012Arabic 303: Advanced Writing Skills10
LANG 3013Arabic 304: Arabic Advanced Speaking10
LANG 3014Arabic 306: Arabic Novel and Short Story10
LANG 3015Arabic 308: Language Past and Present10
LANG 3045Intercultural Communication10
LANG 3082Special Study in Languages and Linguistics10

Chinese

Level 3 Chinese language pool from the Bachelor of Arts listed under the Chinese, Major

Subject Title Credit Points
LANG 3020Chinese 30110
LANG 3021Chinese 30210
LANG 3022Chinese 303: Twentieth-Century Chinese Literature10
LANG 3023Chinese 304: Chinese Classical Literature10
LANG 3024Chinese 305: Chinese Cinema10
LANG 3025Chinese 306: Traditional Chinese Thought10
LANG 3026Chinese 307: The Cultural Context of China10
LANG 3045Intercultural Communication10
LANG 3082Special Study in Languages and Linguistics10

Japanese

Level 3 Japanese language pool from the Bachelor of Arts listed under the Japanese, Major

Subject Title Credit Points
LANG 3051Japanese 30110
LANG 3052Japanese 30210
LANG 3053Japanese 303: Contemporary Culture and Society10
LANG 3054Japanese 304: Discourse in Japanese10
LANG 3055Japanese 305: Advanced Reading and Writing10
LANG 3056Japanese 306: Japanese Popular Culture10
LANG 3045Intercultural Communication10
LANG 3082Special Study in Languages and Linguistics10

Spanish

Some subjects below need to be completed cross-institutionally as they are no longer available at Western Sydney University.

Subject Title Credit Points
LANG 3045Intercultural Communication10
LANG 3074Spanish 30110
LANG 3075Spanish 30210
LANG 3076Spanish 303: Advanced Writing Skills10
LANG 3077Spanish 304: Advanced Speaking Skills10
LANG 3078Spanish 305: Contemporary Literature10
LANG 3079Spanish 306: Contemporary History10
LANG 3080Spanish 307: Classical Literature10
LANG 3081Spanish 308: Spanish Sociolinguistics10
LANG 3072Short Fiction in the Americas10
LANG 3082Special Study in Languages and Linguistics10

Recommended Sequence

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 270 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Full-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
First term of study  
LANG 0003 Academic English (WSTC Prep) 10
LANG 0009 Academic Skills for Arts (WSTC Prep) 10
COMM 0011 Texts and Communication (WSTC Prep) 10
LANG 1032 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society (WSTC) 10
Second term of study  
LANG 1031 Foundations of Academic English (WSTC) 10
HUMN 1059 When Worlds Collide: European Empires and the World, c.1600-1950 (WSTC) 10
HUMN 1056 Diversity, Language and Culture (WSTC) 10
Third term of study  
LANG 1016 Introduction to Literary Studies (WSTC) 10
HUMN 1055 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship (WSTC) 10
HUMN 1067 Introduction to Culture and Society (WSTC) 10
Select one of the following: 10
World Politics and International Relations (WSTC)  
Mathematical Patterns and Relationships (WSTC)  
Students may exit at this point and graduate with the Diploma in Arts following a passing grade in all of the above subjects. Students who progress onto Year 2 may also be awarded the Diploma if they gain a passing grade in all of the Year 1 College subjects.  
 Credit Points110
Year 2
Autumn session
LANG 1014 Introduction to Linguistics 10
LANG 1017 Introduction to Translation 10
Select two Interpreting and Translation pool subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LANG 1013 Introduction to Interpreting 10
Select one Interpreting and Translation pool subject 10
Select one Linguistics pool subject 10
Select one Level 3 subject from the Language major 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Select two Interpreting and Translation pool subjects 20
Select one Linguistics pool subject 10
Select one Level 3 subject from the Language major 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LANG 3049 Interpreting and Translation Professional Practicum (UG) 10
LANG 3067 Preparation for NAATI Certification (UG) 10
Select one Interpreting and Translation pool subject 10
Select one Linguistics pool subject 10
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points270

Equivalent core subjects

The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2019 or earlier.

HUMN 1003 - Analytical Reading and Writing (WSTC)
HUMN 1006 - Australia and the World (WSTC)
HUMN 1011 - Contemporary Society (WSTC)
HUMN 1023 - Global History (WSTC)
LANG 1027 - Texts and Traditions (WSTC)

Equivalent subjects

The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2022 or earlier.

HUMN 1018 Everyday Life (WSTC), replaced by HUMN 1067 Introduction to Culture and Society (WSTC)

POLI 1003 Introduction to International Relations (WSTC), replaced by POLI 1008 World Politics and International Relations (WSTC)