New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting Major - Bachelor of Arts
Professional sign language interpreters are in high demand. Sign language interpreters are essential to ensure the Deaf community has access to New Zealand legal, educational and health systems. This major prepares you for a career as a sign language interpreter.
You become familiar with the Deaf community and culture, and helping you achieve proficiency in New Zealand Sign Language. In the second and third year 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.
A scholarship is available from the Ministry of Education for NZSL interpreting students:
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Minimum entry requirements
If you have New Zealand qualifications
- University Entrance or equivalent
- High level of competency in English (NZSL fluency is not required). Interview will be required.
If you have qualifications from another country
See entry requirements for students from other countries. Select your country from the dropdown menu.
Useful New Zealand school subjects
All subjects are useful, in particular Art History, Classical Studies, English, Geography, History, Media Studies and other languages.
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with 7.0 in Writing and Speaking, and 6.5 in Reading and Listening; or equivalent.
Don’t meet the entry requirements?
Consider starting with:
Our dynamic classroom environment encourages student participation at each stage of the learning journey. Our strong relationships with the Deaf community and interpreting professionals mean that you have access to up-to-date information and a range of guest speakers.
Develop advanced NZSL and interpreting skills to prepare you for a career as a professional interpreter. Courses also focus on ethical decision making, the translation and interpreting processes, and business-related skills like networking and professional conduct.
For questions about this programme you can contact our programme leader on george.major@aut.ac.nz
Core courses
All students in the Bachelor of Arts complete core courses that cover effective communication, critical thinking and other transferable skills you'll need for your future career.
COMM570 Academic Communication
CLSY504 Knowledge and Inquiry
NZSL707 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience I – Observations
NZSL708 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience II – Professional Practice
New Zealand Sign language - English Interpreting courses
Year 1 courses
NZSL510 New Zealand Sign Language I
NZSL520 New Zealand Sign Language II
NZSL600 New Zealand Sign Language Discourse
NZSL502 An Introduction to the Deaf World
NZSL602 Being in the Deaf World
The first year focuses on developing fluency in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), and the study of the Deaf community and culture.
You need to complete Year 1 courses with at least a B grade average in the language courses to progress to Year 2. If you don't achieve at least a B grade average in the Year 1 language courses, you need to continue with an alternative major.
Year 2 courses
TRIN603 Interpreter Role, Ethics and Practice
NZSL604 Societal Contexts for NZSL Interpreters
NZSL610 New Zealand Sign Language III
NZSL620 New Zealand Sign Language IV
NZSL710 New Zealand Sign Language V
NZSL703 Comparative Analysis of English and NZSL
NZSL704 NZSL Interpreting I — Dialogic Interactions
Year 3 courses
NZSL702 Current Issues in the Deaf World
NZSL705 NZSL Interpreting II — Monologic Interactions
NZSL706 NZSL Interpreting III — Advanced Interpreting Techniques
TRIN704 Health Studies for Interpreters and/or TRIN702 Legal Studies for Interpreters
TRIN705 Advanced Health Interpreting and/or TRIN708 Advanced Legal Interpreting
NZSL707 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience I — Observations
NZSL708 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience II — Professional Practice
Recommended elective course
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
- Community workshops
Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?
Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.
Workplace experience in AUT programmes
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for more info on a specific course use our course search.
To participate in AUT's New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting degree you need to be able to:
- Adequately hear and process spoken language in a wide range of settings, including when there is significant background noise and people talking over one another
- See clearly including in low light and across distances
- Speak and write English with a high level of proficiency, including an extensive vocabulary and the ability to adapt language to different levels of formality
- Speak in a clear voice
- Use hands, arms, fingers in a skilled and coordinated way (manual dexterity)
NZSL fluency is not required to begin this programme.
Beginner level applicants can use this free online tool to learn some basics.
Learn NZSL website
Interpreting settings in the Deaf community including:
- Medical centres and district health boards
- Legal profession
- Compulsory education
- University
- Public events
- Employment
- Theatre
- Counselling
- Education
- Mental health
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other majors in the Bachelor of Arts
($7,188 - $8,069 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
($33,500 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
- Fees-free study may be available for domestic students
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.