Education
The Interpreting Department offers three degree-awarding courses.
Master of Arts in Conference Interpreting (MA CI)
The MA in Conference Interpreting provides training in simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. This specialised three-semester programme also covers everything that budding interpreters need to know about parliamentary procedure, international organisations and interpretation theory. On-site learning is combined with online learning thanks to our state-of-the-art training portal. Students choose from a range of languages, selected with the requirements of the profession in mind, and work with cutting-edge communication technologies and top-of-the-range equipment. This ensures that they graduate from our Masters ready for a career in conference interpreting.
Our MA in Conference Interpreting is a three-semester full-time residential programme implementing 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. Importantly, the programme is structured around a dynamic course schedule.
A unique feature of the FTI’s MA in Conference Interpreting is the possibility of choosing among seven languages in different language combinations, with the guarantee of being trained by native speaking professional conference interpreters.
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. In addition, they must qualify for admission by passing the entrance examinations (see art. 65 of the Faculty Study Regulations), thereby demonstrating a high level of language proficiency and good 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 and allows participants to obtain a CAS (Certificates of Advanced Studies) in consecutive and simultaneous interpreter training, a DAS (Diploma of Advanced Studies) in interpreter training or the full-fledged MAS in Interpreter Training.
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. Their dissertation needs to be completed and defended within a maximum of 10 semesters.
Detailed description of the application procedure.