Programs | Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies

The department offers various programs and tracks:

- A program for a professional certificate in translation and interpreting (for holders of a Bachelor's degree)

- A full MA program in translation and interpreting studies

- A research oriented MA program in translation and interpreting studies

- A concise MA program in translation and interpreting studies

- A PhD program in translation and interpreting studies.

The English translation track opens each year, while the other language tracks – Arabic, French, Russian, and Spanish – open periodically. The other language in all tracks is Hebrew.

Requirements

Applicants for the certificate and MA programs must have a recognized Bachelor's degree (in any discipline) with an average grade of 80 or above. They will also have to pass a personal interview and answer an eligibility questionnaire.

To all our international students

Please note that we no longer accept non-Hebrew speakers for our MA and PhD programs.

For those wishing to enroll in our PhD program, please make sure that you meet the essential requirements of:

1. An MA in Translation Studies, or an adjacent field, from a known University;

2. An average score of 85 in that degree;

3. A published academic paper/dissertation in one of the following languages: Hebrew, English, French or Spanish;

4. The ability to read and understand Hebrew. Either Hebrew or English as an academic working language.

If you meet the requirements, you are welcome to approach one of our faculty members in order to seek an advisor for your dissertation. Once you have secured an advisor, you can proceed with the enrollment process as specified by Bar-Ilan University.

Planning the schedule

There are two types of courses in the department

1. Theory – seminars and introductory courses

2. Practice – written and oral translation (interpreting), stylistics

Theoretical courses

Students are advised to take the introductory courses before taking the seminars but are nonetheless encouraged to attend one seminar (of their choice) in their first year.

Practical courses

Completion of the first-year course in written translation is a precondition for enrolling in the respective second-year course. The same applies to the interpreting courses.

In the case of those language combinations that are not offered each year (e.g. Hebrew <> Arabic, Hebrew <> Russian), students are advised to participate in all of the language-specific courses in the year when they are offered, since failure to do so may require them to wait an extra year or more in order to complete the program.
A language-specific stylistics course is offered for each of the languages taught in the department. Successful completion of the relevant stylistics courses is a precondition for sitting the diploma exam in written translation into the respective languages. (Note: the diploma exam is not mandatory, but optional.)