Online Translation Courses for Translators
Award-winning distance learning courses - from entry-level (for when work demands a 'Diploma'), through to preparing you for CIOL translation qualifications (Degree-level or Master's Degree-level). Fully online, all language pairs, start any time. We provide the course and the exam preparation; CIOL sets and awards the qualification.
Not sure of your language level?
Our free quiz tells you which course fits your language level and your goal, and links to free CEFR tests if you need them. No email needed.
The Translator's route
Translation is a written skill: you convert written documents from one language into another. You don't have to start at the beginning - start where your language level puts you.
FDTI
Start here if new- Qualification: our Completion Diploma Certificate
- Language level required: CEFR B1
- Exam: none, assessed online
CertTrans
Most Translators need this- Qualification: CIOL Level 6, Degree-level recognised
- Language level required: CEFR C1
- Exam: March, July, November. 80 to 86% pass
DipTrans
Advanced specialism- Qualification: CIOL Level 7, Master's Degree-level
- Language level required: CEFR C2
- Exam: January and July. 25 to 30% pass
CertTrans or DipTrans?
Plenty of people assume the DipTrans is the only CIOL translation qualification, because for 30 years it was. For most working Translators the CertTrans is the one that matters.
The DPSI is a translation qualification too
The name says interpreting, and most people read past it. Four of the five DPSI exam units are translation: sight translation into and from English, and written translation into and from English.
DPSI Law
- Qualification: CIOL Level 6, Degree-level recognised
- Language level required: CEFR C1
- Exam: June and November
DPSI Health
- Qualification: CIOL Level 6, Degree-level recognised
- Language level required: CEFR C1
- Exam: June only
Preparing for a CIOL exam
Available on their own, or bundled with the course.
CPD for Translators
Common questions
It depends on your language level and what you want the qualification for. If you're new, or a UK public sector body has told you they need to see a Diploma, start with the FDTI. If you want to work professionally as a Translator, the CertTrans is the one most people need. The DipTrans is for advanced specialism at Master's Degree-level.
Our free quiz at linguisttraining.com/whichcourse works this out for you in a couple of minutes.
Yes. Every course is delivered entirely online as distance learning, with no classes to attend and no fixed timetable. You study at your own pace, from anywhere in the world, with 24/7 access for 12 months from the date of enrolment.
The live elements are your LanguagePartner™ Mentor Session, a one-to-one video call booked at a time that suits you, and any Mock Exams you take, which are sat under exam conditions at a scheduled time.
At around 10 hours a week, the FDTI takes most students 1 to 2 months, and the CertTrans and DipTrans 4 to 6 months. Average completion times calculated in July 2025 were 39 days for the FDTI, 7 months for the CertTrans and 6.5 months for the DipTrans.
If you're preparing for a CIOL exam, allow around six months for the course before you sit.
No. What clients and agencies look for is a recognised qualification, and the CertTrans is a Degree-level Ofqual-recognised qualification at Level 6 in its own right. You don't need a University Degree to take it or to work professionally once you hold it.
Partly, yes, despite the name. The DPSI is assessed in 5 units: one interpreting unit, two sight translation units and two written translation units, into and from English. If you want to translate legal or medical material in public service settings, it's a route worth considering alongside the CertTrans.
The units are marked separately, so you can pass some and resit others.
All language pairs, into and out of English. If you don't see yours, contact us; we almost certainly have a LanguagePartner™ who can support you.
The languages CIOL offers for their exams are set separately by CIOL and change from session to session, so check the current list at ciol.org.uk before you register.
No. The course fee is paid to linguisttraining.com and covers your online course. The CIOL exam fee is paid separately and directly to CIOL, and you register for the exam with them rather than with us. Check current exam fees and dates at ciol.org.uk.
Still unsure?
Tell us your language pair and where you are now, and we'll tell you which course fits. We're a team of real people in Sheffield, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.