Translation Leiden University

Overview

Linguistic and cultural mediators

Language and culture cannot be separated. Interpreters and translators are linguistic and cultural mediators, whether they are translating a notarial document for a foreigner, subtitling an episode of Game of Thrones, or translating the latest novel by Nicci French.

Why study the Translation MA programme offered at Leiden University?

You will learn how to translate from English to Dutch and vice versa. At Leiden, we believe there is as much demand for translators from Dutch to English, so we teach translation “both ways”. You will also acquire the skills to translate texts on a wide variety of topics, with a focus on one of three fascinating areas of specialised translation: legal, literary or multimedial translation. At the end of your studies, you will earn a qualification that will give you entry to the national register of sworn interpreters and translators.

Leiden University's Translation Master programme is now a member of the prestigious European Masters in Translation (EMT) Network, an initiative of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Translation. Having been awarded this label reflects the high quality of our programme. Our graduates will now have even greater access to the international translation profession.

Translation at Leiden University is an accredited degree programme of Linguistics. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a legally accredited master’s degree in Linguistics, with a specialisation in Translation and the title Master of Arts (MA). You will earn a qualification that will give you entry to the national register of sworn interpreters and translators.

Career prospects

• Project manager for subtitling at a translation agency

• Freelance interpreter and legal translator

• Documentation officer at a software company

• Technical translator at a translation agency

• Translator at a software and consultancy firm

• English teacher at a secondary school

• Communications officer at a consultancy firm

• PhD candidate at a European university