Education
The Interpreting Department offers three degree-awarding courses.
Master of Arts in Conference Interpreting (MA CI)
The MA in Conference Interpreting provides specialised training in simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. It is a three-semester, full-time, in-person programme, complementing classes on interpreting techniques with everything that budding interpreters need to know about parliamentary procedure, international organisations and interpretation theory. During the course, students have access to cutting-edge technology and an on-line training portal, ensuring that they graduate from our master’s ready for a career in conference interpreting.
Our MA in Conference Interpreting implements the EMCI (European Masters of Conference Interpreting) core curriculum and quality criteria. All interpreting classes are taught by seasoned professional conference interpreters with UN and/or EU accreditation and comprehensive training experience.
Take a look at the Regulations for the Masters in Conference Interpreting (in French).
Application procedure and entrance examinations
To be admitted to the Master of Arts in Conference Interpreting programme, applicants must meet the registration requirements of the University of Geneva and hold a university degree. Applicants must apply with an admissible language combination and must qualify for admission by passing the entrance examinations as set out in the Faculty Study Regulations (in French).
Candidates will be assessed on their language proficiency and on general knowledge.
Detailed description of the application procedure.
Master of Advanced Studies in Interpreter Training (MAS IT)
The MAS IT is an executive Master programme aimed at equipping practicing professionals with the skill set necessary to train interpreters at different levels and in different environments. This modular programme consists of 12 modules. To obtain the full-fledged MAS in Interpreter Training, participants must first obtain:
- The CAS CIT (Certificate of Advanced Studies in Consecutive Interpreter Training). This certificate can also be obtained as a standalone qualification.
- The CAS SIT (Certificate of Advanced Studies in Simultaneous Interpreter Training). This certificate can also be obtained as a standalone qualification.
- The DAS IT (Diploma of Advanced Studies in Interpreter Training). The CAS CIT and CAS SIT are prerequisites for application to the DAS IT.
- The MAS IT (Master of Advances Studies in Interpreter Training). The DAS IT is a prerequisite for application to the MAS IT.
All classes are taught by an international team of trainers, including interpreters practising in a variety of settings. All programmes (CAS, DAS and MAS) are tailored to fit the needs of professionals, requiring an average two hours of work per day to be scheduled at participants’ discretion.
How to apply for the next edition of the course.
PhD in Interpreting Studies (PhD IS)
The PhD in interpreting studies is designed to prepare future interpreter educators and researchers and provides graduates with a thorough theoretical understanding of their research concentration. The program is aimed at applicants working towards an academic career and can be completed in an online, blended, or residential format.
The three research concentrations correspond to the three main research axes of the Interpreting Department and comprise cognitive aspects of interpreting, the nexus between interpreting and new technologies, and interpreting as a means to provide access. Doctoral research projects are typically part of larger on-going research projects in order to provide students with a dynamic and stimulating research environment.
Doctoral students complete one year of coursework whilst developing their research project in one of the three concentrations based on their initial research proposal. In tandem, students will complete the ReMeTIS (Research Methods in Translation and Interpreting Studies) programme. Doctoral dissertations must be completed and defended within a maximum of 10 semesters.
Detailed description of the application procedure.
TR@IN
TR@IN is FTI’s online learning platform for Translators and Interpreters. Built on Canvas technology and based on over 15 years of experience in online and blended learning for T&I, this platform is a powerful yet intuitive learning environment allowing users to overcome the boundaries of space and time.
TR@IN was developed and is constantly upgraded to meet the needs of today’s learners, both in formal tertiary and in continuing education. Capitalizing on the IT savvy of this user group, as well as their ubiquitous access to the Internet, TR@IN offers a collaborative learning environment with interactive multimedia content to enhance the learners experience and facilitate the learning process.