Translation

  • Master
  • Translation and Interpreting

The three Masters in Specialised Translation offer high-level professional training. At the end of their degree, students will be able to translate texts and specialised documents into their native language, or language of education. Our programmes help them develop the necessary skills (textual, thematic, strategic, sociolinguistic and technical) to apply the right translation strategies in every context. Throughout their studies, students will further develop their analysis and research skills, as well as reflect on the act of translation. Students can choose from three different concentrations: specialised translation, translation and technologies and specialised multilingual communication.

The MASTER IN SPECIALISED TRANSLATION
provides training in legal and economic/financial translation. Some of our language units also offer courses in scientific/technical and literary translation. Students also have the option of specialising further, with concentrations available in "legal and institutional translation", "economic and financial translation" and "translation studies".  Students must participate in a seminar to help develop their professional skills, in addition to finding an internship during their studies (this does not apply to students specialising in translation studies, which paves the way for an academic career).

Students who elect to do the MASTER IN TRANSLATION AND TECHNOLOGIES will emerge as versatile translators who are skilled in multilingual engineering and the latest translation technology. This programme is based on three major topics: translation software tools, terminology, and localisation and project management. Courses are varied and geared towards both professional and research purposes. Students may also further specialise, with concentrations available in "Terminology", and "Localisation and Machine Translation".

The MASTER IN TRANSLATION AND SPECIALISED MULTILINGUAL COMMUNICATION
enables future translators to develop their analytical, linguistic, intercultural and teamwork skills to carry out specialised multilingual communication projects. It combines training in translation with corporate communication (multilingual finance and marketing), multimedia communication (web, localisation and audiovisual translation) and language management (language policy and diversity management).

 
Programme length

1 passive language:
1.5 years (3 semesters)

2 or 3 passive languages:
2 years (4 semesters)

Languages of instruction
French, English

Practical translation courses are taught in your A language. Courses that are common to all language units are taught in English or French.

1 passive language: 
3 semesters (max. 5 semesters) | 90 ECTS credits
2 or 3 passive languages: 
4 semesters (max. 6 semesters) | 120 ECTS credits

Mandatory courses common to all concentrations:
44, 60 or 68 credits (depending of the number of passive languages)

  • Practical translation and revision seminars
  • Translation studies
  • Specialised fields
  • Translation technology
  • Specialised translation

Mandatory courses depending on your concentration:
16 to 28 credits

  • Specialised translation 
  • Translation technology
  • Specialised multilingual communication
  • Professional skills and experience, including an internship with accompanying seminar

Electives
0 to 12 credits
Choose from courses taught at the FTI, other UNIGE faculties, or other universities in Switzerland or abroad.

Master's thesis:
24 credits

LANGUAGE COMBINATION

Your A language, or active language, is your mother tongue or language of education. Your B languages are your passive languages. The languages offered at the FTI are German, English, Arabic, Spanish, French, Italian and Russian (only as a B language). Applicants must select 1, 2 or 3 passive languages for the MA in Specialised Translation and the MA in Translation and Specialised Multilingual Communication. For the MA in Specialised Communication with a concentration in "legal and institutional translation", "economic and financial translation" or "translation studies", as well as the MA in Translation and Technologies, students are limited to a maximum of 2 passive languages. 

A Bachelor in Multilingual Communication from the FTI, provided that your language combination remains the same. Bachelor or a degree in a similar field may be deemed to be equivalent, provided that your language combination does not change. Additional courses may be required depending on your previous studies.
Applicants who hold other university degrees must pass an entrance examination.

Deadline for candidates that hold a foreign bachelor's degree: 28 February 2026
(30 April 2026 for candidates that hold a Swiss bachelor's degree at the start of the next academic year AND, according to their nationality, are not subject to a visa for entry into Switzerland for more than 90 days, according to Swiss government requirements and regardless of their current place of residence, or for candidates holding a Swiss residence permit that is valid beyond 30 April.

www.unige.ch/enrolment

Students may go on exchange to another university upon the completion of 60 credits.

www.unige.ch/exchange

Our master's programmes prepare students for careers in both the public and private sectors. After their degree, they have the possibility of finding in-house positions or setting up a freelance career. Our programmes open the doors to many different types of professional activities and careers: international organisations, NGOs, associations, sports federations, publishing houses, translation agencies, public administration, documentation centres, research institutes, banks, insurance, courts, media, teaching, etc.

FACULTY OF TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING
Uni Mail
40 bd du Pont-d'Arve
1211 Genève 4

STUDENT AFFAIRS
Marie-Laure Cudet
T. +41 (0)22 379 87 08
admission-fti(at)unige.ch

ACADEMIC ADVISORS
Bachelor, mobilité, doctorat
Olivier Demissy-Cazeilles
T. +41 (0)22 379 95 66
Olivier.Demissy(at)unige.ch

Masters
Nicole Stoll
T. +41 (0)22 379 87 07
Nicole.Stoll(at)unige.ch