CIOL Qualifications Level 7 Diploma in Translation (DipTrans)

About the exam

Is it right for me?

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.

What are the benefits?

• Ofqual-regulated, internationally recognised qualification
• Improved career prospects
•  You will be entitled to:
  
  • Use the title DipTrans after your name
  • CIOL membership at the grade of IoLET Affiliate

What format does the exam take?

The qualification is composed of three units:

Unit 01 - Written translation of a general text

Unit 02 - Written translation of a semi-specialised text in one of the following:

• Technology
• Business
• Literature

Unit 03 - Written translation of a semi-specialised text in one of the following:

• Science
• Social science
• Law

Which languages can I take the exam in?

You can take the DipTrans in a wide range of languages. View the languages list  for the DipTrans exam.

Preparation

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.

How can I prepare for the exam?

It is essential that you read the DipTrans Handbook and our Candidate Regulations to find out detailed information about the exam format, criteria and regulations.

We also offer preparatory notes on translation:

• Preparing for the Diploma in Translation and Importance of translation theory
• Translation techniques
• Hints and pitfalls

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:

IoLET Affiliate membership

*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

When can I take the exam?

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

The registration period runs from 1 May – 31 August.

Fees

How much does it cost?

Candidates must pay exam fees and a centre fee. Fees are reviewed annually.

Exam fees 2020 

• Unit 01 Written translation of a general text:  £415
• Unit 02 Written translation of a semi-specialised text:  £308
• Unit 03 Written translation of a semi-specialised text:  £308
• Any two units booked together:  £616

• Full registration (all units)  £616

Centre Enrolment fees

If you register to take the exam at one of our centres, centre fees are arranged and payable directly to the centre.

If you register to take the exam at the IoLET Open Centre, London, the following fees apply:

• Unit 01:  £55
• Unit 02:  £55
• Unit 03:  £55
• All 3 units:  £165

Venues

Where can I take the exam?

See our list of exam centres to find the one nearest you.

The IoLET 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.

Registration

Entry Criteria

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+.

How do I register?

To register for the DipTrans exam, simply download the DipTrans Entry Form, complete electronically and save to your files. Please submit the completed form by email to info.diptrans@ciol.org.uk if you are sitting at the CIOLQ Open Centre in London. If you are applying to sit at a different centre in the UK or Overseas please 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.

The registration period runs from 1 May – 31 August.

Small Language Entry

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.

After the exam

From marking to issuing results

Quality assurance is built in throughout the life of a qualification. The diagram below describes a set of procedures CIOL Qualifications follows from the examination taking place to issuing results. Rigorous checks are crucial to the quality of each of our qualifications and ensure the accuracy of the assessment decisions.

When do I get my certificate?

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.

What if I have a complaint?

You have 21 days after the end of the exam session to submit a complaint in writing. Please see the complaints policy and procedures.

What if I want to lodge an appeal?

You have two weeks after receiving your results to lodge an appeal. Please see the enquiries on results and appeals policy and procedures.