2024 Guide to the CIOL DipTrans
CIOL Diploma in Translation (DipTrans)
Everything you need to know
What is the DipTrans examination?
The Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) is a post-graduate (Level 7) examination regulated by Ofqual and administered by the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL).
According to CIOL: “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.”
There is no course to follow; you get the DipTrans by taking a translation exam in your chosen language pair.
The exam consists of three papers:
Unit 1: General paper (3 hours)
o 600 words approx.
Unit 2: Technology, Business or Literature (2 hours)
o 450 words approx.
Unit 3: Science, Social Science, Law or Arts & Culture (2 hours)
o 450 words approx.
The qualification is internationally recognised and accepted by the translation industry. Once you have passed all three papers, you are entitled to add the designatory letters CIOL DipTrans after your name.
Watch this video introducing the DipTrans qualification.
Download the CIOL DipTrans Guide.
Who can take the DipTrans?
While there are no eligibility requirements as such (although candidates must be aged at least 19), the exam is notoriously tough and is aimed at people who have a linguistic competence at least equivalent to an Honours degree or a C2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
When can I take the DipTrans?
The DipTrans exam is offered twice a year in January and in July, and is spread over two days with unit 3 on the second day.
Where can I take the DipTrans?
The exam can be taken in either the United Kingdom (UK) or overseas. The assessment can only be taken online via the CIOLQ Virtual Centre or online with a CIOLQ approved Exam Venue. CIOL offers a demo version on its website that you can use to practise on once you have signed up to take the exam.
What does the online exam platform look like?
Prior to starting to the exam, candidates must log into the exam platform using their unique email link for the paper in question. Candidates must also complete the necessary ID and invigilation checks.
Candidates see a split screen (two windows side by side). The left window contains the source text and the right window is where you type your translation. You can slide the divider bar between the two windows from left to right to change their width. There are some basic editing features that allow you to add bold text or special characters, for example.
For more information about the online exam platform, watch this video.
What resources can I use during the DipTrans exam?
Candidates may not use any electronic or online resources, i.e. only paper resources are permitted; these include:
general bilingual, monolingual and specialist dictionaries (e.g. business)
published glossaries, personal wordbanks and glossaries
encyclopaedias, thesauruses
single printed pages, such as a reference page taken from a style guide
Candidates are not permitted to refer to any course materials supplied by tutors (e.g. course feedback, etc.) or any electronic dictionaries or devices. Please note that candidates are not permitted to use the spellcheck function, and this must be disabled on your computer before sitting the exam.
How much does the DipTrans exam cost?
Exam fees*
Unit 01 - £440.00
Unit 02 - £325.00
Unit 03 - £325.00
All three units - £650.00
*Exam Fees are capped at £650.00 even if the total cost of the units you are sitting exceeds this amount
CIOLQ Virtual Centre Fee*
Unit 01 - £60.00
Unit 02 - £60.00
Unit 03 - £60.00
All three units - £180.00
*All assessments conducted via the CIOLQ Virtual Centre are online only using the online delivery platform. Please note to register for the DipTrans examination, both fees are payable by all candidates, i.e. the Exam Fees + CIOLQ Virtual Centre Fee.
How is the DipTrans exam marked?
Candidates are graded under two different aspects of performance:
Comprehension, accuracy, transfer of names, dates, figures, etc.
Grammar (morphology, syntax, etc.), register, cohesion, coherence and organisation of work, punctuation, orthography, accentuation
The overall pass mark to obtain the CIOL DipTrans qualification is 60%. Merits and distinctions may also be awarded, and the candidate with the highest overall marks also wins CIOL’s ‘Best Candidate in the Diploma in Translation’ award.
When do I get my results?
The results are issued within three months, so if you take the DipTrans in January 2024 you will receive your results in April 2024. If you take it in July you will get the results in late September/early October 2024.
What happens if I fail one or more papers?
If you fail one or more of the units, don’t panic — very few candidates pass all three papers the first time! You have a total of three years to pass the others. The three-year full exam completion period applies from the first year that a candidate receives a certificate (for a unit). Therefore, once a candidate has received a ‘pass’ in any part of an exam, they have two more years to successfully complete all outstanding parts of the qualification.
Planning on taking the DipTrans from French to English?
If you are thinking about taking the CIOL DipTrans from French into English and would like to take my free evaluation to check your level, or sign up for my exam training course, please email me at: lucy@teasdaletranslations.com or fill out the contact form.
No obligation!