You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:

• interpreting studies
• languages and interpreting
• translation and interpreting
• modern languages

Check the Institute of Translation and Interpreting for courses.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

You can do a college course in community interpreting if you are fluent in English and another language spoken by people in the community.

These courses are often available from introductory level to advanced.

You'll usually need some experience of paid or unpaid interpreting work in community settings to move on to the higher-level courses.

Entry requirements

You'll need:

• an excellent standard of English

You can find volunteering opportunities as a community interpreter with:

• local councils
• health and social services
• welfare rights organisations
• legal advice centres
• community organisations

Volunteering experience will be helpful if you want to apply to do a college course in interpreting, or to study to become professionally qualified.

You can do interpreting qualifications through a professional body, like the Chartered Institute of Linguists.

Courses include:

• Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI)
• DPSI Law - for interpreters working in the justice system

You'll need:

• knowledge of English language
• foreign language skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• active listening skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• a good memory
• the ability to work on your own
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

There are 3 main types of professional interpreting:

• conference interpreting
• business interpreting
• public service interpreting

As a conference interpreter you could:

• attend live conferences, lectures and meetings
• listen to speakers through headphones in a soundproof booth
• interpret what speakers are saying and, at the same time, pass this on to delegates in their own language

As a business interpreter you may:

• attend business meetings and events
• listen to what is being said and make notes
• relay what is being said after each passage of speech and during pauses

As a public service interpreter you could:

• interpret for people using legal, health and local government services
• check your client's understanding after each sentence or passage of speech
• interpret at short notice, such as call-outs to emergency medical or police interviews

In all cases, you would prepare as much as possible. For example, by making notes, reading speeches beforehand, researching meeting topics and learning speakers' names and roles.

You could work at a client's business, at a conference centre, in an office, at a police station, in a court, in a prison or in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.