Which Course Should You Study?
Take the quick quiz below, or scroll down to read full information.
Test your language level
All courses use the CEFR scale - the international standard for language proficiency. Before you choose a course, you need to know your CEFR level in your working language pair. Select your situation below:
My first language is NOT English
Test your English
e.g. English → FrenchYou'll be working into your native language, so you need to verify that your English is strong enough for professional-level work. Use the free British Council test to find your CEFR level.
Take the free English test →My first language IS English
Test your Other Language
e.g. French → EnglishYou'll be working into English, so you need to check your Other Language level. Tests vary a lot, so we've done some research as a starting point. Read our guide to find a test:
Find a test for your language →Find courses for your level
Click the button for your CEFR level to see all courses available at that level. Courses are available from B1 upwards - a strong intermediate level is the minimum for professional linguist training.
Not sure what these levels mean in practice? View the full CEFR level table for a breakdown of what each level involves in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Choose your pathway
Select whether you want to qualify as a Translator, an Interpreter, or both. Each pathway is a progression of courses leading to recognised professional qualifications.
Translation is a written skill - you convert written documents from one language into another. The full route is FDTI, then CertTrans, then DipTrans - though you can start at the CertTrans if your language level is already strong (C1/C2). The FDTI is the place to start if you are new, or if you have been told you need "a diploma" to work for a UK public sector organisation.
Are you sure the DipTrans is right for you?
Many assume the DipTrans is the only route, because for thirty years - it was! However the Level 6 CertTrans specifically qualifies for professional work.
| CertTrans | DipTrans | |
|---|---|---|
| Level | 6 (degree) | 7 (master's) |
| Pass rate (approx.) | 80 to 86% | 25 to 30% |
| Learning hours | 80 | 460 |
Choose the DipTrans if you need master's-level recognition. If your goal is professional Translation work, the CertTrans gets you there with a far higher chance of passing first time.
GO TO THE CERTTRANS COURSE ↗·Go to the DipTrans Course ↗·Full comparison ↗
Interpreting is a verbal skill - you convert spoken language in real time. The full route is FDTI, then CCI, then DPSI - though you can start at the CCI if your language level and workplace knowledge is already strong. The FDTI is the place to start if you are new, or if you have been told you need "a diploma" to work for a UK public sector organisation.
If you want to offer both services professionally, you can study Translation and interpreting concurrently or sequentially. Many linguists start with the FDTI, then take the Level 3 CCI for interpreting and the Level 6 CertTrans for Translation, before progressing to the DPSI and the Level 7 DipTrans.
Not sure if you've chosen the right level?
That's completely understandable - the difference between Entry Level, Degree Level, and Master's Level isn't always obvious. If you start a course and realise you're ready for something more advanced, we're happy to offer a discount on the next level up, as long as you enrol within two months of completing your first course. Simply get in touch when you finish and we'll send you a discount code.
Our team is happy to help - Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Click this table image to see all levels and how they relate to learning and work.