The Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) is the gold standard for anyone wanting a career as a freelance translator or to work as a translator for international corporations worldwide and meets the need for a high-level professional translating qualification.
Level: postgraduate-level qualification.
The qualification is composed of three units:
You can take the DipTrans in a wide range of languages. View the languages list for the DipTrans exam.
The CIOL Qualifications Level 7 Diploma in Translation is a professional qualification, set at postgraduate level. It is the responsibility of each Candidate to ascertain that they are sufficiently prepared for the examination, and competent in both the source and target languages, have good writing skills and the ability to translate at a professional level.
It is essential that you read the Qualification Specification and our Candidate Regulations to find out detailed information about the exam format, criteria and regulations.
We also offer preparatory notes on translation:
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 and at international centres. Please refer to the list of centres and contact course providers directly. Please note that as the Awarding Organisation for the DipTrans, we are unable to endorse or recommend any particular course.
A selection of free sample exam papers can be accessed by prospective candidates.
Non-members and Student Affiliates can purchase past DipTrans papers and Examiner Reports using these forms: Examiner Report Order Form and Past Paper Order Form.
Remember however that you can access these resources 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
Dates for the January 2021 exams:
• Tuesday 19 January 2021 – Other languages into English
• Wednesday 20 January 2021 – English into Other languages
On each of the two examination dates all Units must commence at the following local time only:
Unit 01: 9.30am
Unit 02: 1.30pm
Unit 03: 4.00pm
Candidates must pay exam fees and a centre fee. Fees are reviewed annually.
Unit 01 Written Translation of a General Text |
£415 |
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Unit 02 One written translation of a Semi-specialised text in a Technology, Business or Literature context |
£308 |
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Unit 03 One written translation of a Semi-specialised text in a Science, Social Science or Law context |
£308 |
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Any two units booked together |
£616 |
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Full registration (all units) | £616 |
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.
If you would like to take the exam online, please register via our online shop here. Otherwise, please see our list of exam centres to find the one nearest you.
The CIOLQ Open Centre in London accepts candidates who haven’t attended a course or can't find a centre locally and wish to take the exam.
In addition to centres in the UK, the Diploma in Translation can be taken at centres in Bahrain, Canada, China (Mainland, Hong Kong & Macao), Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, UAE and Uruguay. If there is no registered centre in the country where you want to take the exam, please contact your local British Council office.
The CIOL Qualifications Level 7 Diploma in Translation tests professional translating skills at a postgraduate level of competence. The examination is open to all. However, candidates are advised to ensure prior to registering, that their level of linguistic attainment in the source language is at least equivalent to a good Honours degree, and that they are familiar with the relevant cultural background. In line with the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) requirements, as a guideline candidates should be 19yrs+.
To register to take the exam online at the CIOLQ Virtual Centre, please go to our online shop. We will contact you in due course with details of your exam. Please note that you are only fully registered when payment for the exam fee has been cleared.
To register to take the exam at a centre in the UK or Overseas, simply download the DipTrans Entry Form, complete electronically and save to your files. Please then submit your Entry Form by email to your Centre directly. Separate entry forms must be completed for multiple registrations. A candidate is only fully registered when the exam fee has been received and payment has been cleared.
Candidates preparing for the Diploma in Translation 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.
You should also read the Candidate Regulations.
There must be a minimum number of candidates registered for an examination to run. Should this minimum number not be reached by the end of the registration period, CIOL Qualifications will inform candidates who are registered and have paid fees of the options available to them, which may include the option of paying a supplementary fee for the exam to be set.
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.