Access Requirements

1° Student must hold a first level university degree.

2° Since French (or German for German-speaking students*) is the A-language of the course (i.e. the mother tongue or language of culture into which one translates), all candidates for the Master [120] in Translation must provide proof of a perfect command of the French language (or German for German-speaking students*): productive communicative competence (both written and oral) at level C2 (level of mother tongue and culture) of the Common European Framework of Reference. The admission jury will be particularly attentive to this condition for students who are not French-speaking or who have not attended French schools.

(*) In core study courses, German is the A-language (i.e. the mother tongue or cultural language into which one translates) for German-speaking students enrolled in the English/French combination.

Starting in 2023-2024 : The admission jury may request further information and may verify the applicant's language A skills by means of an admission test and/or an interview.

3° In addition, all students applying for the Master [120] in Translation must provide proof of having achieved, in the two foreign languages included in the programme, receptive communicative competence (listening comprehension and reading comprehension) at level C2 (experienced user), as well as productive communicative competence (oral and written expression) at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

For sign language, proficiency at the UF12 level of the LSFB (minimum UF9) is required. The candidate must therefore be able to prove prior knowledge of LSFB equivalent to level B2 of the CEFR.

4° In the absence of official certificates or language courses (including the LSFB) of equivalent levels to the above-mentioned levels in their previous academic training, or if the admission jury deems it necessary for the examination of the file, students will have to pass an admission test covering receptive communicative skills in both foreign languages as well as productive skills in both foreign languages and in the A-language (French or German).

This admission test is organised by the Louvain School of Translation and Interpreting; two sessions are planned: one in May/June, the other in August/September, before the start of the academic year. The admission test can only be taken once per academic year. For more information: https://uclouvain.be/fr/facultes/fial/traduction-interpretation-epreuve-d-admission.html.

Equivalences between courses are subject to the approval of the jury (small panel).

Starting in 2023-2024 : The admission jury may request further information and may verify the applicant's language A skills by means of an admission test and/or an interview.

General remark on the choice of languages studied

The language combinations offered in the master program are detailed on the following page: https://uclouvain.be/prog-trad2m.

Admission to the Master's in translation implies :
•    the continuation of the study of two foreign languages enrolled in the Bachelor's programme;
OR
•    passing the admission test.

Any student wishing to enrol in their Master's programme in the Germanic or Romance language studied as a minor in the Bachelor's cycle will have to present the admission test in this language.

> It is possible, under certain conditions, to use one's personal and professional experience to enter a university course without having the required qualifications. However, validation of prior experience does not automatically apply to all courses. Find out more about Validation of priori experience.

Candidates who do not fulfil the abovementioned admission requirements, but who have duly attested significant experience relevant to the field of study in question, may apply for admission to the programme on the basis of an individualised admission procedure.

For more information on the procedure for admission by validation of learning from experience (VAE) in the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Letters: https://uclouvain.be/fr/facultes/fial/valorisation-des-acquis-de-l-experience-vae.html.

French Belgian Sign Language (LSFB)

Any candidate who does not hold a university degree, but who has reached the C1 level of the CEFR (UF12) and who has at least 5 years (full time, or equivalent) of convincing professional experience in the world of the deaf and hard of hearing, as a school interpreter or "communication aid" in the LSFB for example, can also submit an application file for the Master's degree in interpreting by valorising the learning from experience, by means of introduction of a VAE file detailing the training course, the career path and the experience acquired (knowledge, know-how, interpersonal skills).

Access based on application : access may be granted either directly or on the condition of completing additional courses of a maximum of 60 ECTS credits, or refused.

The admission panel reserves the right to request further information and to check the candidate's language skills.

All candidates for the Master's degree in interpretation must demonstrate a perfect command of the French language at level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The admissions board will pay particular attention to this condition for students who are not French-speaking or who have not attended French schools.

Conditions of access based on application 2024-2025 of the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Letters are available in this document (in French).