Application

Application period ends on the 10th March 2024
EUMASLI 5 studies will commence in September 2024

EUMASLI is a 2.5 year, part-time programme across 5 semesters, offered conjointly between 3 universities: Heriot-Watt University (UK), HUMAK University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (Germany).

Information Session on The Programme

An information session was held on Thursday 30th November where members of the teaching staff gave an overview of the structure and content of EUMASLI, and there was the opportunity to hear from some EUMASLI graduates about their experiences and to ask questions about expectations of the programme.

Applications period 5.2.-10.3.2024

Applications will open on 5 February 2024 and close on 10 March 2024.

The written test as well as the interview(s) are expected to take place in April 2024. Results will be communicated by the end of May 2024.

Entry Requirements

• A first undergraduate academic degree (e.g. BA or BSc), preferably, but not necessarily in sign language interpreting or related subjects. Applicants who do not have a first degree but can demonstrate an equivalent qualification plus extensive interpreting experience can apply to HWU only and applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• A minimum of two year’s work experience as a practising professional sign language interpreter by the time of admission to the programme (3 years post qualification/accreditation – if no formal system is available in your country then 3 years of professional experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Appropriate English language to fully participate in the programme (equivalent to level 6.5 of the International English Language Testing System, IELTS, corresponding to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Languages). If applicants cannot prove the required proficiency in English by forwarding a certificate, they will have the opportunity to prove their proficiency in English in the written test, as well as their ability to reflect professional experience as sign language interpreters.

Both deaf and hearing interpreters are encouraged to apply.

International Sign (IS) skills are not necessarily a prerequisite – we’re looking for the potential to extend students’ signing repertoire to engage in trans-national interaction so the focus is on developing translanguaging skills. But successful applicants will be strongly encouraged to participate in a basic International Sign taster course offered by HUMAK in August 2024 before the EUMASLI 5 programme commences. Prior experience of delivering EUMASLI has taught us that students who come in with a basic foundation of IS skills do benefit from that.

Tuition Fees

Due to university regulations and national legislation, it is unfortunately impossible to harmonise the fee situation between the different universities. The situation regarding tuition fees varies, depending on the university with which students apply to and enrol.

EUMASLI is a 2.5 year part-time programme across 5 semesters. Fees are due for every semester of enrolment.

Fees for commencement in September 2024 will be:

• Heriot-Watt University:
  £2,000 for UK students per semester
  £4,500 for international students per semester
• Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences:
  2,975 € per semester for all students plus a general university fee (about 150€) per semester
• Humak University of Applied Sciences:
  For EU/EEA students: no fees
  For non-EU/EEA students: 4,500€ per semester
  Grants (available only for Humak students): Early Bird discount: 20% discount on the first year’s tuition fee, if the acceptance of the place and the payment of the tuition fee are made within 14 days of the announcement of the student selection decision30% discount for the second academic year, if the student has completed 30 credits during the first academic yearA grant of 1000 € and a refund of the degree fee for the YKI test, if the student at any stage of the studies passes the Finnish language YKI test with a grade of at least 3 (equivalent to level B1), which is also the language level required to obtain Finnish citizenshipIn addition to the fees, students are expected to finance travel to and accommodation during block-seminars and other events themselves. Please note that unfortunately we are not able to provide interpreting services into the various sign languages used by deaf participants. However, we aim to provide interpretation between English and International Sign for block seminars, where required.

Application Process

Applications need to be submitted directly to either Heriot-Watt University (HWU), HUMAK or Magdeburg. There are 30 potential places: 12 HWU, 10 HUMAK, 8 Magdeburg. Please, make sure that you cover the following aspects, either as part of the application form (Heriot-Watt University) or in a covering letter (Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, Humak University of Applied Sciences): your motivation for wanting to take part in the programme, your skills and experiences, your expectations on the programme, whether you would consider studying at any of the other partner universities, and if so, which.

Requirements:

• Application form (depending on which university you are applying to)
• Interview in sign language
• Timed writing assignment over 72 hours
• Evidence of undergraduate degree or equivalent
• Evidence of 2 years (minimum) interpreting experience

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For applying to Heriot-Watt University

In order to apply at Heriot-Watt University, please go to the Heriot-Watt University please go to the Heriot-Watt University online application portal (link). Click the ‘How to Apply’ button. You will see an information page, then when you click on the Apply Now button it will take you to the online application form.

Alternatively the direct link to the application portal (link).

*Please do not email the form that was previously on this page as that is an out of date system

For further information, please contact r.adam(at)hw.ac.uk

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For applying to Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences

You need to fill in the form available for download: HERE (Link to a PDF).

In addition to the application form, you need to hand in the following documents:

1.     a covering letter specifying the information stated above;
2.     CV;
3.     higher education entrance qualification (school leaving certificate);
4.     certificate of first academic degree;
5.     certificate of university de-registration (Exmatrikulationsbescheinigung; relevant only for  applicants who have studied in Germany before!);
6.     proof of three years’ professional occupation as sign language interpreter.

In the case of (3) and (4), single copies of the original documents are needed. All of the documentation needs to be in either German or English. Documentation in any third language must be accompanied by certified translations

Cover letter, application form and accompanying documentation have to be sent to:

Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal
Servicebereich für Studium und Internationales
Immatrikulationsamt
Breitscheidstraße 2
39114 Magdeburg
Germany

For further information, please contact Okan Kubus (okan.kubus@h2.de) 

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For applying to Humak University of Applied Sciences

You need to fill in the form available on Studyinfo.fi. Please note, that Humak’s application form is open: Feb. 5, 2024 at 8.00 AM UTC+2 – Mar. 10, 2024 at 3.00 PM UTC+2.

Please submit the following documentation alongside the application form:

1. a covering letter specifying the information stated above;
2. your current CV;
3. a copy/copies of your degree certificate(s) and relevant transcripts;
4. proof of two years’ professional occupation as sign language interpreter. (The Finnish legislation requires two years of experience.)

Cover letter and accompanying documentation have to be attached/uploaded to the online form.

For further information, please contact Application Services: hakijapalvelut@humak.fi or Juha Manunen (juha.manunen@humak.fi)

Selection Procedure

Applicants who fulfill the requirements described above will be invited to take part in a selection procedure, which will take place online (date tba) in the timeframe of 90 minutes (*note: The Board of examiners worked towards establishing a written test over two days. Unfortunately, we were not successful in this endeavor, which is why applicants will sit the written test in a 90 minutes time frame). There might be a need for an extra day depending on the number of applicants. The selection procedure will be jointly conducted by deaf and hearing members of all three universities.

Applicants should make sure that they have reliable access to the internet on these two days. Invitations and instructions will be sent out by email two weeks in advance of the selection procedure.

In the selection procedure, applicants must show that they

• possess knowledge of English at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Languages (corresponding to level 6.5 of the International English Language Testing System IELTS);
• possess sign language skills stipulated as a prerequisite for participation in the modules of the Master’s programme, with particular regard to sign language-based communication in international settings;
• understand how to reflect appropriately on their professional experience as sign language interpreters.

The selection procedure consists of the following parts:

• The written part consists of a timed writing assignment over 90 minutes. Applicants will be sent an essay question and an essay generated in Chat GPT concerning the academic field of sign language translation and interpreting. Applicants will be required to write a critique of the essay, the use of references and the argumentation. More detailed instructions will be provided at the time.
• The follow-up discussion consists of an interview with two members of the teaching team (10 -15 min). Applicants are asked to reflect on their written test, that is the critique of the AI generated essay. Deaf applicants will use sign language, whereas hearing applicants will be asked to use English in order to assess their language proficiency.
• The signed part consists of an interview with two members of the teaching team (10 – 20 min) on topics that concern social, cultural and political issues surrounding deaf communities and interpreting internationally. Applicants are not expected to be able to use International Sign, but they should demonstrate flexibility in the use of their sign language skills and live up to the challenge of communicating transnationally.

The selection committee will rank applicants according to their performance in the selection procedure. Successful applicants will be offered a place at the university they applied to, depending on the availability of places. However, if one university has already filled their places, candidates may be given the opportunity to enroll with one of the partner universities. For this reason, it is important that you indicate clearly in your application if you would accept an alternative place at one of the partner universities.

We expect the process of applying, selecting and allocating student places to be completed 3 months prior to starting the programme.

Indicative dates for block seminars (for EUMASLI#5) can be found under Programme.