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Bachelor in Translation and Interpretation

Bachelor in Translation and Interpretation

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  • Programme title
    Bachelor in Translation and Interpretation
  • Programme mnemonic
    BA-TRAD
  • Programme organised by
    • Faculty of Letters, Translation and Communication
  • Degree type
    Bachelor
  • Tier
    1th cycle
  • Field and branch of study
    Human and social sciences/Languages and literature
  • Schedule type
    Daytime
  • Languages of instruction
    french
  • Theoretical programme duration
    3 years
  • Campus
    Solbosch
  • Category / Topic
    Human and social sciences - Languages and literature
  • Jury President
    Alain DELATTRE
  • Jury Secretary
    Véronique PIROTTE

Presentation

Details

General information

Degree type

Bachelor

Theoretical programme duration

3 years

Learning language(s)

french

Schedule type

Daytime

Campus

Solbosch

Category(ies) - Topic(s)

Human and social sciences - Languages and literature

Organising faculty(s) and university(ies)
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Presentation

The Bachelors in Translation and Interpretation aims to develop advanced linguistic skills that enable students to accurately transfer a written or oral message from one language into another, while taking into account the specific characteristics of each language.

To this end, the first cycle leading up the bachelor’s degree (totalling 180 credits), assists students in acquiring or refining their skills in two foreign languages but also in developing expert French language skills.

nt-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-GB">Core knowledge courses covering a number of fields allow future translators to acquire the necessary general knowledge to translate not only a wide range of text genres but also increasingly specialised texts.

Upon successful completion of the Bachelors, students may access either the Masters in Translation or the Masters in Interpretation. Professional translators and interpreters will share their knowledge and experience with the students. In addition, students will learn to use translation tools and individually participate in an internship.

Classes are taught to small-sized groups with a focus on incremental learning. Most learning activities are practice–based. Regular formative evaluations are carried out to determine that the intended learning outcomes have been achieved.

Mastering multiple languages has become a key skill as a result of increasing globalisation, international communication, opening frontiers and the emergence of a vast array of new means of communication.

In order to successfully exchange information aiming to promote understanding between communities and to advance their economic, cultural and/or social development, these languages have to be thoroughly mastered. This principle also applies also to other contexts such as organisations, administrations or businesses.

The Translation and Interpretation Department at ISTI-COOREMANS offers a programme that will familiarise students with the realities of the job market. Indeed, thanks to close collaboration between researchers and professionals in the field, students learn early on in the programme to conduct themselves in a professional manner and to critically analyse and reflect on their work.

Upon graduation, students master two foreign languages in addition to French and have acquired comprehensive cultural knowledge preparing them to access other specialised programmes. The programme will also prepare students and provide them with the necessary skills to take their first steps in an ever-changing job market. To complete Block 2 of the Master’s programme, students are required to undertake internships that will to provide them with their first working experience.

Once they have won the 120 credits offered during their bachelor’s programme in Translation and Interpretation, students are also required to take part in a student exchange programme for the duration of one semester. In practice, this means that students will be requested to choose from a list of foreign universities to study abroad. For students whose language combination includes Dutch, the Erasmus Belgica scheme allows them to do this in Flanders.

The Translation and Interpretation Department at ISTI-COOREMANS has student exchange contracts with about 150 university colleges and universities in Europe and worldwide.

Access conditions

Programme

The Bachelor’s Degree in Translation and Interpretation covers three core strands: foreign languages, French and general knowledge. All three enable students to refine their language skills and increase their domain knowledge in order to prepare for the Master’s programme in Translation or Interpretation.

The programme is designed to help students acquire advanced language skills in two foreign languages. Its courses aim to enhance students’ domain knowledge through the study of a range of fields including law, economics, economic geography, history, philosophy, sociology, general science, computer science and international politics.

To conclude the first cycle, students can also further develop their language skills and gain a better insight into the cultures studied by taking part in a period of study abroad.

The programme prepares students to translate and interpret in a variety of professional contexts.

There are 18 language combinations to choose from

  • Arabic-Spanish

  • English-Arabic

  • English-Chinese *

  • English-Spanish

  • English-Italian

  • English-Dutch

  • English-Russian

  • English-Turkish * **

  • German-English

  • German-Spanish

  • German-Italian

  • German-Dutch

  • German-Russian

  • Italian-Dutch

  • Italian-Russian

  • Spanish-Italian

  • Spanish-Dutch

  • Spanish-Russian

*This language combination only gives access to the MA in Translation and not to the MA in Interpretation.

**Turkish classes are taught at the Louvain School of Translation and Interpreting.

What's next ?

Prospects

Upon successful completion of the bachelor’s and master’s programmes, graduates will be qualified to work as translators, but will also be able to use their intercultural and writing skills in a wider range of sectors.

Depending in their areas of expertise, graduates will be qualified to work in domains such as economics, finances, science, technology, law and administration.

They can also find employment in the field of media translation (sub-titling, surtitling, voice over), project management, website and video game localization, and terminology.

They are able to translate philosophical or literary texts but also art books and museum or exhibition catalogues.