The diploma in public service interpreting is designed first and foremost for current and future interpreters working with languages not taught at the University of Iceland. The programme is at the undergraduate level and can be taken independently or to complement other studies.
The programme is taught every two years and can be completed in two academic years, making it suitable for employed students who want to improve their professional knowledge.
Just over half of the programme (35 ECTS) is made up of academic courses in which students improve their theoretical knowledge of interpreting, translation, culture and languages and learn to apply that knowledge in real-world situations.
The rest of the programme (25 ECTS) comprises training in interpreting and spoken communication. Students work in groups based on the languages they work with. Practical training is therefore a major component.
The objective of this programme is to train foreign nationals who have achieved a good level of Icelandic and are sufficiently familiar with Icelandic society and infrastructure to share this knowledge with other speakers of their first language and handle communications with Icelandic speakers as required. This has become an extremely urgent project due to the numbers of foreign nationals living in Iceland, as well as the visitors who now considerably outnumber the resident population.
To be admitted to the programme, you must have passed the equivalent of the Icelandic matriculation exam or have considerable experience of providing interpreting services in Iceland. You must have good Icelandic skills and also be highly proficient in your first language.
Public service interpreting is a 60 ECTS undergraduate programme aimed at training students to interpret between Icelandic and a foreign language.
Experience of public service interpreting is an advantage. Students can complete the programme in one academic year or two. The programme will only run if enough people apply.
To be admitted to the programme, you must have passed the equivalent of the Icelandic matriculation exam or have considerable experience in providing interpreting services in Iceland. You must have good Icelandic skills and also be highly proficient in your first language.
Icelandic matriculation examination (stúdentspróf) or equivalent qualification. Further information can be found in article 17, regulation on admission requirements for undergraduate study no. 331/2022. Students must have Icelandic as a native language and high proficiency in a foreign language or another native language and high proficiency in Icelandic. It is important that students be able to write papers and pass examinations in Icelandic, as well as reading English at an academic level. If necessary, applicants will be asked to do an interview or oral/written evaluation of their language proficiency and intended ability to work as an interpreter. Experience of public service interpreting is also desirable, but not required.
Students complete the programme in two years, but the programme will only be offered on the condition that enough students register. All courses besides the practical courses are shared with the programmes in sign language interpreting, translation studies as a minor subject and Icelandic as a second language. Courses in sign language interpreting are not taught annually and this may affect the course availability.
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
This course gives a foundation in community interpreting, covering behaviour and situational awareness in interpreted events and elsewhere, interpreter confidentiality, problem solving, work safety, textual analysis etc.
Study methods include recorded lectures, reading of articles and books, discussion in class and between classes, individual and group assignments as well as organised self-directed study. Students are required to come prepared to class to be able to actively take part in practical exercises and discussions. Independent study is an important part of the course, including organised, independent interpreting exercises and focused efforts to improve one’s own interpreting skills. 80% minimum class attendance required.
Aim: That students learn the basics in interpreting theories and theories on the role of the interpreter
Course subject: Theories of the process of interpretation and different theories about the role of the interpreter will be discussed. Cultural and linguistic problems that occur in interpreting situations will be discussed as well as the role of the interpreter as connecting two different cultures. Different areas in interpreting and different situations will be analysed as well as conflicts of interest.
Methods: Lectures by the teacher but students are supposed to be active in discussions. There will be assignments during the semester, both group assignments and individual.
Assessment: Written exam and a project.
Litterature: To be announced
Aim: Students to be competent in communicating in good spoken Icelandic. Students practice how to speak (as in voice interpreting) in formal and informal settings with emphasis on the use of the voice, correct language, rich vocabulary etc.
Lectures, assignments in class and practice. 80% attendance in the course is obligatory.
80% attendance in the course is obligatory.
The course in an introduction to translation, the history of translation and translation theory. Students will become acquainted with the main concepts and theories in the field. The basics of interpretation will also be dealt with. The course consists of two parts: The theoretical and historical part is in the form of lectures and discussions. The teacher also provides a reading list. Assessment is in the form of an exam or an essay, based on the reading material. The practical part is based on seminars where students gain practice in translating (both literary translation and applied translation) as well as translation criticism. Assessment is based on written assignment(s). Students of Icelandic as a Second Language must have completed all courses of the first and second year.
This course provides an in-depth examination of Icelandic language policy and linguistic usage in the media, particularly in newspapers but also in broadcast media. Various types of newspaper articles will be analyzed, including editorials, columns, obituaries, and news reports, with a special focus on elements that often pose challenges for second-language learners, such as idiomatic expressions and cultural references. Additional topics include different registers of language, distinctions between spoken and written language, text composition and translation in television, word renewal, headlines, and the influence of English in the media.
This course builds upon the course TÁK006G. Various types of interpretation that community interpreters need to master are introduced, i.e. consecutive interpretation, sight interpretation, distance interpretation, chuchotage, interpretation of speeches and simultaneous interpretation. Textual analysis continues and note taking is examined extensively.
Study methods include recorded lectures, reading of articles and books, discussion in class and between classes, individual and group assignments, mentoring, fieldwork, as well as organised self-directed study. Students are required to come prepared to class to be able to actively take part in practical exercises and discussions. Independent study is an important part of the course, including organised, independent interpreting exercises and focused efforts to improve one’s own interpreting skills. 80% minimum class attendance required.
The aim of this course is to increase the student's ability to deal in a thoughtful manner with ethical problems related to professionalism and the role of the interpretor. Main theories in ethics will be introduced. Important ethical concepts like Justice, Human rights, Autonomy and Welfare will be studied along with professionalism and privacy. Special emphasise is placed on getting aqainted with the ideology of the interpretor and how to respond to ethical problems in their work. In class there will be both lectures and discussions.
Most common methods and aids in translation will be covered in this course. Students will gain insight into the translators work and gain practise in translation. They learn how to analyze texts before translating them.
This course gives a foundation in community interpreting, covering behaviour and situational awareness in interpreted events and elsewhere, interpreter confidentiality, problem solving, work safety, textual analysis etc.
Study methods include recorded lectures, reading of articles and books, discussion in class and between classes, individual and group assignments as well as organised self-directed study. Students are required to come prepared to class to be able to actively take part in practical exercises and discussions. Independent study is an important part of the course, including organised, independent interpreting exercises and focused efforts to improve one’s own interpreting skills. 80% minimum class attendance required.
Aim: That students learn the basics in interpreting theories and theories on the role of the interpreter
Course subject: Theories of the process of interpretation and different theories about the role of the interpreter will be discussed. Cultural and linguistic problems that occur in interpreting situations will be discussed as well as the role of the interpreter as connecting two different cultures. Different areas in interpreting and different situations will be analysed as well as conflicts of interest.
Methods: Lectures by the teacher but students are supposed to be active in discussions. There will be assignments during the semester, both group assignments and individual.
Assessment: Written exam and a project.
Litterature: To be announced
Aim: Students to be competent in communicating in good spoken Icelandic. Students practice how to speak (as in voice interpreting) in formal and informal settings with emphasis on the use of the voice, correct language, rich vocabulary etc.
Lectures, assignments in class and practice. 80% attendance in the course is obligatory.
80% attendance in the course is obligatory.
The course in an introduction to translation, the history of translation and translation theory. Students will become acquainted with the main concepts and theories in the field. The basics of interpretation will also be dealt with. The course consists of two parts: The theoretical and historical part is in the form of lectures and discussions. The teacher also provides a reading list. Assessment is in the form of an exam or an essay, based on the reading material. The practical part is based on seminars where students gain practice in translating (both literary translation and applied translation) as well as translation criticism. Assessment is based on written assignment(s). Students of Icelandic as a Second Language must have completed all courses of the first and second year.
This course provides an in-depth examination of Icelandic language policy and linguistic usage in the media, particularly in newspapers but also in broadcast media. Various types of newspaper articles will be analyzed, including editorials, columns, obituaries, and news reports, with a special focus on elements that often pose challenges for second-language learners, such as idiomatic expressions and cultural references. Additional topics include different registers of language, distinctions between spoken and written language, text composition and translation in television, word renewal, headlines, and the influence of English in the media.
This course builds upon the course TÁK006G. Various types of interpretation that community interpreters need to master are introduced, i.e. consecutive interpretation, sight interpretation, distance interpretation, chuchotage, interpretation of speeches and simultaneous interpretation. Textual analysis continues and note taking is examined extensively.
Study methods include recorded lectures, reading of articles and books, discussion in class and between classes, individual and group assignments, mentoring, fieldwork, as well as organised self-directed study. Students are required to come prepared to class to be able to actively take part in practical exercises and discussions. Independent study is an important part of the course, including organised, independent interpreting exercises and focused efforts to improve one’s own interpreting skills. 80% minimum class attendance required.
The aim of this course is to increase the student's ability to deal in a thoughtful manner with ethical problems related to professionalism and the role of the interpretor. Main theories in ethics will be introduced. Important ethical concepts like Justice, Human rights, Autonomy and Welfare will be studied along with professionalism and privacy. Special emphasise is placed on getting aqainted with the ideology of the interpretor and how to respond to ethical problems in their work. In class there will be both lectures and discussions.
Most common methods and aids in translation will be covered in this course. Students will gain insight into the translators work and gain practise in translation. They learn how to analyze texts before translating them.
Changes may occur for the autumn semester in August and September and for the spring semester in December and January. You will find your final timetable in Ugla when the studies start.
Note! This timetable is not suitable for planning your work schedule if you are a part-time employee.
The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.
Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.
Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.
The diploma does not confer any specific professional recognition, but trained interpreters are always in demand.
Public service interpreters work in places where foreign nationals need to communicate with the authorities or service providers. Many of these foreign nationals are guaranteed the right to a public service interpreter through international treaties and the laws of the European Economic Area. For example, there are legal provisions regarding the right to interpreting services in the legal system and the health system.
Public service interpreters often work in highly important areas of people's private lives - with doctors, with district commissioners regarding marriage and divorce, at parent-teacher meetings at school and so forth.
It is therefore vital to obtain people with relevant knowledge and training.
People with an education in this area may work for:
This list is not exhaustive.
There is no specific student organisation for this programme, but students meet frequently in the Student Cellar.
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