Postgraduate Certificate in Conference Interpreting

The course offers a professionally oriented training in interpreting, your gateway to the national and international conference interpreting market. We make use of the very latest interpreting infrastructure available. The course will also familiarize you with the latest technological developments, with the various political agencies you may come up against and with a range of theoretical and ethical issues.

Conference interpreting is classically divided into two branches, consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. While simultaneous interpreting is the norm in the professional setting, consecutive interpreting is an indispensable preparation for the simultaneous form.

The full course includes four modules covering training for interpretation and six modules on practical interpretation. You will choose two foreign languages to study. For the first foreign language (VT1) you can choose between, German, English or French, with German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Turkish or Russian available as options for the second (VT2). You can also opt for a third language.

In the practical interpreting element you will take four modules for VT1:

• two modules on consecutive interpreting (into and out of Dutch) and
• two modules on simultaneous interpreting (into and out of Dutch).

For your second foreign language (VT2) you will take only those modules involving interpreting into Dutch.

A consecutive interpreting module covers 36 contact hours while a simultaneous interpreting into Dutch module covers 75 contact hours, with 60 contact hours for simultaneous interpreting out of Dutch.

During these modules you will receive intensive training in conference interpreting. The course benefits from pedagogical support from the most important European institutions and there is collaboration with a variety of partners offering placement opportunities for students. The practical interpreting elements are delivered by staff with extensive experience in teaching interpreting as well as professional interpreters. They will be responsible for the final assessments, together with an external panel.

The interpreter training package consists of four elements: formulation skills in Dutch, theoretical and ethical issues, interpreting techniques and European institutions. Students are assessed on the basis of traditional examinations.  At least two simulated conferences are organized each year.

The course is taught in the Dutch language.

Link to the study guide