There are no set pre-requisites, however, you are strongly advised to ensure prior to registering that your level of linguistic attainment in the source language is at the very least equivalent to a C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (DELE/IELTS Academic) in writing. If you do not possess the recommended linguistic level, you may not pass your assessment. It must be stressed that students, even those holding a degree in languages, will generally require additional experience, practice or training in translation to achieve the CertTrans.

The course is made up of three units:

• Unit 01 – General Translation Skills (MANDATORY)
  • This unit focuses on written translation of a text of about 500 words and will be appropriate for the educated general reader. It will contain a variety of difficulties likely to require resourcefulness and flexibility as well as level6 conversion skills to achieve a successful rendering. Candidates will translate the text into their target language, to a high standard of accuracy, demonstrating necessary translation skills with the aim of producing a target language text that is accurate, grammatically sound and well organised. The exam text may include: cultural references, idioms, similes metaphors, colloquialisms, neologisms, humour and figures of speech… Subjects will be neutral in religious and political terms…
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• Unit 02 – Business and Commercial Translation Skills (option)
  • This unit focuses on written translation of a text of about 300 words. In this unit candidates will demonstrate an awareness of business and commercial contexts, using their translation skills to produce a text in their target language with clear evidence of comprehension and accuracy as well as being grammatically sound and well suited to the business or commercial context. Some subjects may included: accounting, banking, business development, commerce (including e-commerce), consumer protection, economics, export and import trade, finance, insurance, marketing, management… 
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• Unit 03 – Government and Public Service Translation Skills (option)
  • This unit focuses on written translation of a text of about 300 words. In addition to accuracy, translation of government, public service texts and public affairs documents such as official statements, policy documents, discussion papers, reports and announcements require the translator to consider the social, political and cultural context of the text. In this unit candidates will demonstrate an awareness of government and public service contexts to produce a translation with clear evidence of comprehension and accuracy as well as being grammatically sound and well organised within context. Some subjects may included: civil protection, defence, security and justice, digital government, education, environmental protection, global affairs, healthcare, immigrations and customs, information services, infrastructure, intergovernmental organisations, international development, local government, national government, public finance, public services, reginal government, social services, transport…

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Students must take two units to achieve the qualification. Unit 01 is the mandatory core unit which must be selected, then you need to select one other mandatory option unit from either Unit 02 or Unit 03.

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Students will covering a different area of study: Examination Guide, Translation Techniques, Research Skills & Pre-Translation Analysis, Decoding and Encoding, Internet Research Guide. They will also complete three practice translations and submit them for assessment and feedback and receive feedback on each piece of translation from a bilingual reader of your language. Students will also have three one-hour one-to-one online tutorials with the bilingual reader of your translations to discuss your questions about their feedback. Students can also arrange tutorials with the course leader at any time during your course.

The source texts for all three practice translations are taken from past CertTrans papers or created by CSL and all marking and feedback will use the CertTrans marking criteria. The last third piece of assessment will be undertaken under timed conditions to simulate actual CertTrans exam conditions.

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Assessment Grading
Each unit attracts pass, merit or distinction but the qualification grade overall will be a Pass. The pass mark for each unit is 60%.

• Registration Fee: US$70 | TT$400 (nonrefundable)
• Late Registration Fee: US$35 | TT$200 (nonrefundable)
• Administrative Fee: US$15 | TT$60 (nonrefundable)
• CIOL Exam Fees: TBA (per test unit)
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Tuition Fees:

Fees after CSL financial aid for first-time students*

• T&T Students: TT$ 2,950 (4,357) monthly
• CARICOM Students: US$ 585 (657) monthly
• International Students: US$ 640 (759) monthly

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NOTE: Tuition fees do not include course materials, the external examinations, fees for supplementary exams and repeats, equipment, printing, trips, professional body fees, etc.