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.

• 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

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.