Postgraduate Diploma in Translation: Entry Requirements and Application

Primary degree / Standard of English
Those who wish to apply for the course must have the following:

(1) A primary degree in Irish, or its equivalent (e.g. B.Ed.), at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications or a primary degree in another discipline at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
(2) At least grade B (ordinary level) or grade D (higher level) in English in the Leaving Certificate or its equivalent.

Note: Applicants who are given a place on this course must submit a transcript of their results in the primary degree.

Entry examination / Oral examination
Applicants must sit an entry examination to show their suitability for the course. This written examination, which will contain both translation and grammar questions, and applicants will have the choice of taking the exam on two different dates: Saturday, 2 July 2022 or Saturday, 27 August 2022 (2.00pm and 4.00pm on both dates).

Important: As there are only 15 places available on the course, those who take the entrance examination in July may be at an advantage.

Note: Those who have passed the end of course examination in the Dianchúrsa Ullmhúcháin i gCruinneas na Gaeilge programme will not be required to sit this entry examination. If they would like gain a higher mark than that which they received in the end of course examination, however, they are welcome to sit the entry examination.

Applicants may be required to sit an oral examination as part of the entry process.

Decision regarding allocation of places
The following will be taken into consideration when places on the course are being allocated to applicants:
• academic qualifications
• answers given on the application form
• result in the entry examination
• result in the oral examination if applicable

Deadline for applications
There are two deadlines for applications for the 2022-2023 course: Thursday, 23 June 2022 and Friday, 19 August 2022.

Tuition fees
The tuition fee per semester is €1,495. Tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners (www.revenue.ie) in relation to such fees.

Submitting your application
There are three different ways to apply for Dioplóma Iarchéime san Aistriúchán programme:

(1) Download and complete the application form below and return it to Coláiste na hÉireann/Gaelchultúr by the deadline. (Applications will be accepted by post or by email.) Application Form (Word).
(2) Complete the online application form here by the deadline.
(3) Complete the application form
contained in the course brochure and return it to Gaelchultúr by the deadline.

A guide to the entrance exam
(1) Applicants will have an opportunity to take the entrance exam between 2.00pm and 4.00pm on the following dates: Saturday, 2 July 2022 or Saturday, 27 August 2022.
(2) The two entrance exams will be held on Zoom. A detailed guide will be sent to candidates in advance, as well as information on how to log into the exam.
(3) Those taking the exam should log in at least fifteen minutes before it commences.
(4) Candidates will not be allowed to use a computer or any book/work of reference during the examination.
(5) Candidates will be required to type their answers in a file that they will be sent in advance.
(6) Those who finish the exam early can email the file containing their answers to dianchursa@gaelchultur.com and leave the Zoom session.
(7) Sample entrance exam papers are available below. The papers used on 2 July and 27 August will be similar.
(8) When you’ve completed a sample exam, compare your answers to the sample answers provided (please click on the appropriate link to access those).

Entrance exam questions
Question 1 (40 marks)
Ten sentences to be translated from English to Irish.
Question 2 (20 marks)
The words between parentheses to be changed, if necessary. Various aspects on grammar will feature in this question.
Question 3 (20 marks)
The words between parentheses to be changed, if necessary. The focus in this question will be on nouns followed by adjectives or on nouns followed by nouns, in the nominative case singular and plural.
Question 4 (10 marks)
The following aspects of grammar will feature in this question:
- simple prepositions;
- cardinal numbers + nouns;
- direct and indirect relative clauses;
- personal numerals;
- prepositional pronouns;
Question 5 (10 marks)
This question will be based on the rule ‘foirm an ainmnigh in áit an ghinidigh’ (the nominative form instead of the genitive form).

Advice regarding the amount of time to be spent on each question in the examination
Reading the paper: 10 minutes
Question 1: 50 minutes
Question 2: 20 minutes
Question 3: 20 minutes
Question 4: 10 minutes
Question 5: 10 minutes

Sample entrance exam papers

Sample paper 1
Sample examination paper 1 is available here. The paper on 3 July and 28 August will be similar. When you’ve completed the sample examination, you can check your answers in this file: Freagraí ar cheisteanna Pháipéar Samplach 1.

Sample paper 2
Sample examination paper 1 is available here. The paper on 2 July and 27 August will be similar. When you’ve completed the sample examination, you can check your answers in this file: Freagraí ar cheisteanna Pháipéar Samplach 2

 

Scholarship
This year again a scholarship (i.e. the course without the fees) will be offered to one of the students accepted into the course. Those wishing to apply for the scholarship are asked to fill the appropriate form and to submit it with the course application form. The scholarship form is available to download below.
Application Form for the Scholarship