Translation Science and Technology (M.A.)

The demand for well qualified translators in Europe is growing continuously. In addition to providing students with a solid academic training, the M.A. programme 'Translation Science and Technology' teaches students the methods and techniques that are needed both by those choosing to pursue a professional career in translation and by those planning to continue with doctoral level research and a career in academia. The closely integrated approach that combines education and training in translation studies and in language technologies is a key feature of the Master's degree programme and makes the programme unique in Germany.
 

 
Description

The M.A. programme focuses particularly on new methodologies in language technology and on empirical research. Graduates are well qualified for modern work processes involving multilingual communication. In addition, students on the programme receive intensive training in the research methods currently used in empirical language and translation science.

Two other key aspects of the M.A. programme are interdisciplinarity and a strong emphasis on practical applications. General linguistics, corpus linguistics and computer linguistics are all part of the course, as are compulsory modules covering career-related issues and the option of writing the final-year thesis in an external company, institution or organization. A voluntary supplementary examination also provides students with the option of sharpening their own personal skills and professional profile.

Areas of employment for graduates include translation agencies, globally active language service providers, industrial companies, government agencies and public authorities. There is also a high demand for skilled translators in large international organizations and the European Union.

Learn more about the programme (YouTube video)

Testimonials from master students

Structure

Possible language combinations

The following language combinations can be chosen in the Master's programme:

  • A language (= native speaker competence) as the basic or source language: German
  • B language (= very good active and passive competence in the foreign language, cultural and translational competence): English (BI) and/or a Romance language (BII) (French, Italian, Spanish)

Programme content

The study programme comprises a more theoretical-methodological stage (stage 1) and a stage that focuses on developing translational competence (stage 2). In addition to acquiring specialist knowledge in the relevant academic disciplines (translatology, linguistics), students also acquire knowledge and skills regarding the technology now being used in both these fields.

Stage 1 (42 ECTS credits for two B languages, 57 credits for one B language)

In the theoretical-methodological stage, students address questions in the following areas:

  • Fundamental questions and methods of language science and translation studies
  • Applications of language technology
  • Annotation and programming
  • Empirical methods of language science and translation studies
  • Translation technologies
  • Translation and content management
  • Advanced corpus-based and experimental methods, including relevant statistical methods

Stage 2 (48 +6 ECTS credits for two B languages, 33 +6 credits for one B language)

The part of the programme designed to develop translation skills covers areas such as:

  • Text production, translation and evaluation in situational and cultural contexts
  • Technical and professional communication, knowledge management, terminology science and terminology management
  • Mandatory electives: Multilingual oral communication or, alternatively, one other module taught by the department
  • Translation and mediality

Master's thesis and associated research methodology course (21 credits and 3 credits)

The Master’s thesis is accompanied by a course in which students receive methodological assistance in designing their research project.

Optional additional examination

Students may also acquire an additional qualification by taking a voluntary examination in an additional foreign language. For further details, please refer to Section 39 of the subject-specific regulations.

Requirements

Admission requirements

  • Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent university qualification.
  • Proof of proficiency in your B language: either a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject or a certificate of proficiency at C1 level.
  • If an applicant who does not have a German higher education entrance qualification and who has completed a degree in which German was not the language of instruction is able to demonstrate C2 proficiency in their chosen BII language, it is sufficient for them to have C1 proficiency in the A language.

Accepted language certificates are for example the following:

  • German: DSH, PNDS, TestDaF, Goethe certificates
  • English: Cambridge, EILTS, TOEFL, TOEIC
  • French: DALF
  • Spanish: DELE, SIELE
  • Italian: CILS, AIL

For questions, please contact p-sek-arts(at)lst.uni-saarland.de.

Detailed information regarding admissions requirements can be found in Section 35 of the subject-specific regulations.

Regulations

Regulations 2021

Regulations 2016

Programme content 2020

 Programme content 2016

(Regulations available in German only.)

Application

The study programme starts each winter semester. It is not possible to join the programme at the beginning of the summer semester. The application period runs from the beginning of June to 30 September if you plan to begin studying in the winter semester.

Applications for admission are submitted online via Saarland University's student information management (SIM) portals. If you have any questions about using the SIM portals, please check out our SIM Saarland help pages.

At a glance

Standard period of study4 semesters
Main languageGerman
Foreign languagesEnglish, French, Italian, Spanish
German language requirementsGER: C2, if applicable also C1, see Requirements
Requirements in chosen foreign languageGER: C1
Restricted entryNo
Application periodWinter semester: beginning of June to 30 September
Tuition feesNot applicable
Semester feeSee current fee structure
Web pageTranslators of the future

Contact

Central Student Advisory Service

Saarbrücken Campus
Building A4 4, Ground floor
Phone: +49 681 302-3513
studienberatung(at)uni-saarland.de
www.uni-saarland.de/studienberatung

Course adviser

Tobias Renghart
Phone: +49 681 302-2508
p-sek-arts(at)lst.uni-saarland.de
www.uni-saarland.de/lst

Central Student Advisory Service

Saarbrücken Campus
Building A4 4, Ground floor
Phone: +49 681 302-3513
studienberatung(at)uni-saarland.de

Central Student Advisory Service

Accredited study programmes

Saarland University was one of the first universities in Germany to achieve Quality Assurance Accreditation and has held the Accreditation Council’s official quality mark continuously since 2012.

Quality management