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undergraduate

Degree

Bachelor of Arts - New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting Major

Course code: #AK3704

undergraduate

Degree

Bachelor of Arts - New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting Major

Quick facts

  • Annual tuition (2022)

    $31,000 NZD

  • Application fee

    $150 NZD

  • Duration

    3 years

  • PSW

    3 years

  • Min GPA

    60 out of 100

Highlights
Workplace experience

These are mandatory and all come with course.

Deadlines

Term start& deadline Deadline
Fall-February 26-February-2023 2023-02-26
Fall-February 26-February-2024 2024-02-26
Fall-February 26-February-2025 2025-02-26
Fall-February 26-February-2026 2026-02-26

Overview

Bachelor of Arts - New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting Major

Professional sign language interpreters are in high demand in New Zealand. 

Sign language interpreters are essential to ensure the Deaf community has access to New Zealand's legal, educational, and health systems. 

This major at Auckland University of Technology prepares you for a career as a sign language interpreter.

You become familiar with the Deaf community and culture and help you achieve proficiency in New Zealand Sign Language. 

In the second and third years, you’re introduced to the interpreting profession, including the history of interpreting locally and internationally. 

You develop interpreting skills for a wide range of settings and explore the ethical issues of sign language interpreting. This major is also available as a minor.

Scholarships from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Economic Development are available for NZSL interpreting students. 

What this major covers

New Zealand Sign Language – English Interpreting courses:

  • New Zealand Sign Language I, II, III, IV, V
  • New Zealand Sign Language Discourse
  • Deaf Community and Culture I, II
  • Interpreter Role, Ethics and Practice
  • Societal Contexts for Interpreters and Translators
  • Current Issues in the Deaf World
  • Comparative Analysis of English and NZSL
  • NZSL Interpreting 1, 2, 3
  • Advanced Legal Interpreting and/or Advanced Health Interpreting
  • Interpretation Legal Studies and/or Advanced
  • Interpretation Health Studies
  • NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience I – Observations
  • NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience II – Professional Practice

 

Workplace experience

Workplace experience is a key part of your final year. In the first semester, you’ll be in the community, observing and learning from professional interpreters in a wide range of settings. 

In the second semester, you’ll be interpreting alongside professional interpreters, your lecturers, and classmates.

Recent placements included: Auckland Zoo, Auckland Art Gallery, Workplace meetings, University lectures, Parent-baby groups, and Community workshops.

Estimate your cost

Residency
Count of person

$42,800

Total costs

yearly

Details


Cost of living 1 person $9,804
Accommodation 1 bed room $11,800
Tuition 1 person $31,000

Hourly wage

Min wage

21.20 NZD / 1 hour

in New Zealand every student can work 20 hour per week

Required documents

  • Certified copy of your birth certificate or passport
  • Certified copy of marriage certificate (If required)
  • Official academic transcripts
  • English Language Proficiency (If Available)
  • CV/Work experience (If required)
  • A copy of the document(s) in the original language/and official English translation

Language requirements

GRE
not required
GMAT
not required

IELTS

7
6.5
listening
7
writing
7
speaking
6.5
reading

TOEFL

100
20
listening
27
writing
23
speaking
20
reading

PTE

65
58
listening
65
writing
65
speaking
58
reading

Cambridge

185
176
listening
185
writing
185
speaking
176
reading
Language pathway (conditional offer) is available

If you do not meet the English language requirements for entry into an AUT programme, you can study English here.

Language courses at AUT International House:

AUT International House is an English language school next to the AUT City Campus. It is part of AUT and offers a range of qualifications, including GIE – the AUT university entrance and preparation programme.

On-campus academic English courses (GIE and IELTS Full-time) at International House:

1) GIE (academic preparation and university entrance programme)

The GIE programme prepares you for entry into most AUT programmes (some health and education programmes require IELTS).

Entry requirement:

IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading and Writing and no less than 5.0 in Speaking and Listening

2) IELTS Full-time

Entry requirement:

There is a different entry requirements for each level of the IELTS course.

  • Level 1: you need IELTS 4.5 with a minimum band score of 4.0
  • Level 2: you need IELTS 5.5 with a minimum band score of 5.0

 

You can also use IELTS Indicator and TOEFL Special Home Edition to meet English language requirements, except for programmes that require an IELTS score higher than the standard or for any doctoral programmes.


Academic background and requirement

All applicants need to meet AUT’s minimum entry requirements qualification equivalent to New Zealand year 13 or University Entrance.

High school qualifications from different countries:

India: 

  • 12 years of schooling with an overall average of 75% in four academic subjects, including a min 60% in English from the All-India Senior Certificate (AISSC).
  • All other Higher Secondary State Board Examinations require an overall average of 80% in four academic subjects with a min 65% in English.

China:

  • Senior High School graduation plus one year of successful study at bachelor's level; or
  • Senior High School graduation plus completion of a two-year diploma, with good grades, at a recognized university.
  • A Tier 1 score in the National University Entrance Examination (Gaokao) at a recognized institution

NZ Sign Language - English Interpreting major: High level of competency in English (NZSL fluency is not required). An interview will be required.

 

Don’t meet the entry requirements?

Consider starting with:

  • Diploma in Arts

 

Foundation programmes

If you don’t have the academic qualifications needed for direct entry into an AUT programme, you can enroll in a foundation programme.

If you successfully complete the foundation programme and get the required grades, you are guaranteed entry into an appropriate AUT programme.

Career opportunities

  • Adviser of Deaf Children
  • NZSL - English Translator
  • Educational Interpreter
  • Adviser for Deaf

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