Please read: important information for those taking the DPSI.
The CIOL Qualifications Level 6 Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) is a qualification for those who work, or would like to work, in one of these areas:
Level: first degree-level qualification in terms of language skills required.
The qualification is available in the following pathways:
There are many benefits to holding the qualification:
The qualification is composed of five units for each pathway:
For detailed information on the content and format of the qualification please refer to the DPSI Qualification Specification.
You can take the DPSI in a wide range of languages. View the DPSI languages list for more information.
It is the responsibility of each candidate to ascertain that they are sufficiently prepared for the exam and are familiar with public service procedures and specialist vocabulary relating to the pathway chosen. The exam is available both to candidates attending courses in centres recognised by CIOL Qualifications and to independent candidates.
Role play topics are published on the CIOL website prior to the exam.
Please read the Qualifications Specification-DPSI and our Candidate Regulations to find out detailed information about the exam format, criteria, topic areas and regulations.
It is good practice to prepare for a professional qualification by following a course of study. Courses are available in different regions of the UK. Please refer to the list of centres and contact course providers directly. Please note that as the Awarding Organisation, we are unable to endorse or recommend any particular course.
If you are studying for the Law pathway, you may wish to supplement your studies with a five-part interactive preparatory online workshop available to CIOL members in our webinar library.
In order to prepare for the DPSI exam, you must become an IoLET Affiliate member of CIOL. This will give you access to a number of past papers and examiner reports via a tab in this section of the website.
Please see the IoLET Affiliate page for further information and to register online.
A selection of free sample exam papers can be accessed by prospective candidates.
Non-members and Student Affiliates can purchase past DPSI papers using these forms: June session and November session. Remember however that you can access these as a membership benefit through:
*Higher grades of membership (Career Affiliate, Associate, Member and Fellow) are also eligible to enter for exams and access the same exam preparation resources
As well as the exam fee, candidates must pay the CIOLQ Virtual Centre Fee.
Unit 01 |
£227 |
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Unit 02 |
£186 |
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Unit 03 |
£186 |
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Unit 04 |
£186 |
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Unit 05 |
£186 | |||||
Full registration (all units)* | £680 |
For more information, please check our Invoicing and Billing Policy.
*Fees are capped at £680.00; if the total cost of the units you are sitting exceeds this amount, the maximum payment is still £680.00
If you register to take the exam at one of our centres (NOT the CIOLQ Open Centre), centre fees are arranged and payable directly to the centre.
If you register to take the exam at the CIOLQ Open Centre, London, or using the CIOLQ Virtual Centre (online) the following fees apply:
For more information, please check our Invoicing and Billing Policy.
The November 2020 DPSI exam is only available online at CIOLQ Virtual Centre.
The examination is open to anyone who wishes to take it. There are no absolute entry requirements, but regular attendance on a course is strongly recommended.
Registration for the 2020 DPSI session in November is open till Friday 16 October. Applications received after this date will be subject to a late registration fee. Please refer to the Invoicing, Fees and Billing Policy.
To register, download the DPSI Entry Form. Complete all fields electronically and save to your files. If you are sitting at the IoLET Open Centre in London please submit the completed form by email to info.dpsi@ciol.org.uk. If you are applying to sit at a different Examination Centre please submit your Entry Form to your Centre directly. Please note that centre enrolment fees are independent from CIOL exam fees; you must ensure the payment for the centre and the exam are cleared before your exam takes place – a candidate is only fully registered when the exam fee has been received and payment has been cleared.
Candidates will be notified in writing as soon as possible whether there is sufficient demand to set an examination in a particular language/pathway or whether a supplement fee will be payable.
Candidates preparing for the DPSI are supported through membership of CIOL as an IoLET Affiliate. This membership grade provides access to resources to support preparation as well as other membership benefits. Exam candidates are encouraged to join CIOL as an IoLET Affiliate as soon as they know they intend to take the exam to ensure they get the most out of their membership. Registration with CIOL as an IoLET Affiliate or in professional membership grades is a pre-requisite for exam registration. The applicant's current membership number must be quoted on the exam entry form in order to be processed. Please see IoLET Affiliate membership for further details.
Please read the Candidate Regulations.
You will receive your certificate within two months of the release of results.
Please advise CIOL Qualifications immediately of any change of address as certificates cannot be reissued.
Please see the Enquiry and Complaints Policy.
Please see the Enquiries about Results and Appeals Policy.