Welcome to the University of Ottawa’s School of Translation and Interpretation, the STI.

Translation is one of the most creative and lucrative ways for people who love working with languages to enjoy earning their living. And in Canada, translation is a constant. The job options are countless: in federal and many provincial governments, in law offices and courts, in NGOs and many other agencies, in film and media, in advertising, journalism, academia, and, of course, in literature.

Since the University of Ottawa is a bilingual institution, classes and exams (and many administrative activities) take place in both languages, and there is a constant interplay between Canada’s two official languages. The proximity of federal government institutions not only offers many opportunities for students to gain work experience through internships and co-op placements, but also facilitates students’ job searches. In fact, many of our students are working in the field well before they have completed their diplomas, and virtually all of them find work upon finishing.

If you love languages and the challenge of working between languages in a world that is more and more interconnected, then the School offers a friendly, and very professional, learning environment for you to hone your skills. Its professors have an international reputation for research as well as solid teaching experience, and their work is enhanced by practicing translators who regularly teach special courses and share their experience. They look forward to meeting you!

Salah Basalamah, Chair

The School of Translation and Interpretation of the Faculty of Arts teaches professional translation as it is currently practiced in both the public and private sectors in Canada. Courses cover not only translation (general, specialized and technical), but also documentary research, professional writing, terminology and lexicology, computers and translation, and theoretical aspects of translation. 

The School also offers an introductory course in interpretation, as well as translation courses into and out of Spanish, which aim to meet some of the needs generated by the globalization of business. 

A new minor in translation (which must be combined with another program of study) introduces students to professional translation into their dominant language. The honours with specialization includes the co-operative education option, which combines academic studies with experience in the workplace. Finally, students who already hold a university degree have the option of following a two-year accelerated honours with specialization program.

The School of Translation and Interpretation (STI) offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts in Translation Studies (MA), Master in Conference Interpreting (MCI) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Translation Studies.

Whether you’re a prospective student or are currently enrolled, we’ve got you covered. With scholarships and bursaries to student associations and faculty events, we want you to get the most out of your time at uOttawa. Enrich your experience by checking out the following resources.