Study content and requirements
for the Interpreting Program: Austrian Sign Language – German
What should you bring with you for your studies?
For the Bachelor’s Program in Interpreting: Austrian Sign Language – German, you do not need any prior knowledge of Austrian Sign Language. What matters is your interest in languages, communication, and different cultures, as well as your willingness to learn a new language intensively.
You should be open to interacting with people, enjoy communicating, and take pleasure in learning about different perspectives. Empathy, the ability to reflect, resilience, and a responsible approach to interacting with people form an important foundation for your future career as an interpreter. The prerequisite for admission to the program is a high school diploma or equivalent qualification. If German is not your first language, you must have German language skills at least at the B2 level.
What you will learn during your studies
In this Bachelor’s Program, you will develop your skills as a sign language interpreter step by step. At the beginning, the focus is on learning Austrian Sign Language. At the same time, you’ll learn the basics of interpreting and explore linguistic, cultural, and social contexts.
As the Program progresses, you’ll delve deeper into various interpreting techniques and learn to apply them confidently in different communication situations. You’ll explore specialized terminology, legal and sociopolitical frameworks, and professional practices in the interpreting field.
In addition, you will develop academic skills and explore translation, linguistics, and the fundamentals of qualitative analysis. This will enable you to gain a thorough understanding of communication processes and to critically reflect on your professional practice.
What comes next after earning a Bachelor's Degree?
Upon successful completion, you will be qualified to work as a sign language interpreter in a variety of fields. At the same time, the Bachelor’s Degree opens the door to advanced Master’s Programs and a wide range of opportunities for professional specialization.
Depending on your interests, you can further deepen your expertise in areas such as translation, linguistics, cultural studies, or accessible communication.
General Information about the Program
For more information on admission requirements, the training contract, nostrification and recognition of qualifications, the admissions process, examination regulations and grading, ECTS credits, and the academic calendar, please refer to the General Study Information.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the “Interpreting: Austrian Sign Language – German” Bachelor’s Degree
What exactly is Interpreting: Austrian Sign Language – German?
Interpreting: Austrian Sign Language – German is a 6-semester, full-time Bachelor’s Program that trains students to serve as professional interpreters between Austrian Sign Language and German.
Who is a good fit for this Degree Program?
This program is suitable for people with an interest in language, culture, and communication who would like to serve as interpreters between deaf and hearing people – regardless of their prior knowledge of sign language.
Will I also learn video interpreting?
Yes. The Program teaches modern interpreting techniques and places a special emphasis on video-based interpreting. This prepares you for a variety of work settings and forms of digital communication.
Current Courses
Current course - Sign Language Interpreting · Organisation form: Vollzeit (German)
Program Structure
The Program is designed as a progressive sequence of courses. From the basics of language to your first interpreting assignments and on to intensive professional internships, you will gradually develop the skills needed for your future career as an Austrian Sign Language and German interpreter.
1st – 2nd Semester
Laying the Groundwork
You will systematically build your proficiency in Austrian Sign Language and learn the basics of linguistics and Deaf culture. This will help you develop the linguistic and cultural foundation you’ll need for future interpreting work.
3rd–4th semester
Learn Professional Interpreting
You’ll deepen your interpreting skills and gain initial experience through supervised field assignments. In addition, you’ll learn specialized terminology for various fields, such as healthcare and education.
5th–6th Semester
Practical Experience and Specialization
Extensive professional internships at external sites provide you with targeted preparation for everyday professional life. The Program is complemented by your Bachelor’s Thesis, individual specializations, and the practical Bachelor’s Examination administered by a committee.
Do you want to break down language barriers and bring people together?
Join us for a Degree Program that’s truly needed – to become an interpreter between ÖGS and German.
Jobs & Careers
With the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Interpreting: Austrian Sign Language – German, you’ll gain the qualifications for a versatile career in which you professionally facilitate communication between deaf and hearing people. You’ll work in a wide variety of life and work settings, ensuring that conversations, information, and decisions are understandable and accessible to everyone involved.
Fields of employment
Depending on your interests, you can work as a sign language interpreter either as an employee or as a freelancer.
After completing your degree, a wide range of career opportunities will be open to you:
- Health and Social Services
Facilitate conversations in hospitals, doctors’ offices, or social service agencies and support communication between deaf and hearing people.
- Education, the Workplace, and Government Agencies
Interpret in schools, training institutions, companies, and government offices to facilitate barrier-free communication in everyday professional and administrative settings.
- Justice, Religion, and Events
Courts, religious institutions, as well as conferences, lectures, and public events are also among the areas where professional sign language interpreters work.
What to expect in your day-to-day work
With the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Interpreting: Austrian Sign Language – German, you’ll gain the qualifications for a versatile career in which you’ll professionally facilitate communication between deaf and hearing people. As a language and cultural mediator, you ensure that conversations, information, and decisions are understandable and accessible to everyone involved.
Depending on your area of work, you’ll interpret personal conversations, meetings, lectures, or events and collaborate with people of all ages, professions, and life experiences.
Your development doesn’t stop after your Bachelor’s Degree
With a Bachelor’s Degree, you’ll meet the requirements for a Master’s Program. At the same time, you can advance your career and expand your skills in various areas of interpreting or accessible communication.
Professional experience and specialized expertise will open up additional career opportunities for you – for example, in specialized interpreting settings, in the field of education, or in collaboration with institutions and organizations.