Germany’s Johannes Gutenberg University Redesigns Its Translation Master’s Degree

On July 21, 2023, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) announced that it will be offering a two-year Master of Arts Translation degree program starting in the 2023/2024 winter semester. The deadline for submission of applications is September 1, 2023. 

JGU is considered one of the most diverse universities in Europe, with a student population representing over 120 countries. The Faculty of Translation Studies, Linguistics, and Cultural Studies, a research organization that collaborates with 100 universities around the world, will be offering the redesigned translation degree program with options for specialization in translation as well as interpreting, and sub-specializations within both disciplines.

The new program incorporates current developments in the field of translation, including artificial intelligence. Reflecting the name of the faculty, the program will offer students the chance to gain specialized skills in translation, linguistics, and cultural studies. Sub-specializations include translation/language management, literature and media translation, conference interpreting, and community interpreting.

Conference interpreting used to be offered separately at JGU, and it has been added to the redesigned MA program.

Students will be able to choose from 13 working languages: Arabic, Chinese, German, English, French, Italian, Modern Greek, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish. Graduates will also have the option to continue on to doctoral studies.

A Focus on Job Skills

The program offers students opportunities to develop real-world skills through internships and a job exchange platform listing domestic and international vacancies. Internships also count toward student academic credit.

Some of the jobs students can aspire to during and after the program are in technical translation, software and media localization, and machine translation quality assurance, to name a few.

Interested parties can find information on admission requirements and specific language skills on the program site.