COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master’s in Translation at Leiden University includes a structured study program that combines core courses, electives, practical experience, and a thesis. Students take three specialisation core courses along with two electives, which complement the obligatory internship and final master’s thesis. The program also includes a preparatory course to guide students through the thesis process. In the 2024-25 academic year, the specialisation courses offered are Literary Translation and Medical Translation, while in 2025-26, students can take Multimodal Translation and Legal Translation. Electives vary each year, and a detailed overview can be found in the program’s Prospectus.A key component of the program is the internship, which provides practical work experience and exposure to professional settings. Students complete a 10 EC internship through the Career Service of the Faculty of Humanities. Past internship placements include a wide variety of organisations such as VSI Subtitling BV, Local Heroes Game Localization, Stichting Cross Your Borders, Global Voices, MediLingua, the European Parliament, and the Dutch Tax Administration. These placements allow students to apply their translation skills in real-world contexts, explore career paths, and gain valuable professional experience.The combination of theoretical coursework, electives, practical internship, and thesis work ensures that graduates are well-prepared for careers in the translation industry. Students gain both a deep understanding of translation theory and extensive hands-on experience across different types of texts and media. This blend of academic and professional training equips them to meet the diverse demands of the language industry and prepares them for roles as professional translators or interpreters, including eligibility for registration as sworn translators where applicable.