English 
Deutsch Who this German-taught Master suits – and what you need to get in
This programme suits you if you already work confidently across languages and want to turn that into a professional profile in translation and multilingual communication. Typical backgrounds include: a graduate in English or Chinese Studies aiming for a career in media or business translation in the EU; a bilingual humanities graduate looking to build interpreting or subtitling skills; or a language-savvy professional who wants a recognised M.A. (90 ECTS) to move into language services in Germany.
Admission requirements
You study on campus in Munich with three classroom days per week plus online learning. Entry is competitive and requires:
- A completed Bachelor’s degree (or proof you will complete soon). The field of study does not have to match; the Master is non-consecutive.
- High language proficiency:
- German at C1 level (CEFR) – the main language of instruction.
- Your chosen working language at C1 level (CEFR): English or Chinese.
- Admission with international degrees: applications with foreign Bachelor’s degrees are considered if the qualification is equivalent to a German first degree granting graduate-level entry.
- No Abitur required: for Master’s admission your Bachelor’s degree is decisive.
Programme facts for orientation: full-time over 3 semesters (three on-campus days weekly), 90 ECTS, specialisations in Interpreting, Technical Translation, Media Translation, English or Russian. The degree is state-recognised and accredited (ACQUIN; accreditation valid to 31/03/2029).
Personal requirements
Success in this Master depends on strong self-organisation and consistent language practice. On non-campus days you will handle readings, CAT/MT tool trainings and project work independently. You should be ready to:
- Plan your week realistically around three fixed campus days in Munich and several self-study blocks.
- Work precisely under time pressure and give/receive detailed feedback on translations.
- Use technology confidently (CAT tools, terminology management, basic MT workflows) and be willing to learn new software.
- Communicate clearly and professionally across cultures; this includes excellent academic writing and presentation skills in German and in your working language.
- Maintain C1-level language input outside class (specialist texts, media, glossaries) to keep your language pair market-ready.
If you are applying from abroad, ensure your German is genuinely at C1 for study materials, seminars and assessments. The blended format rewards perseverance: steady weekly routines, an eye for detail, and a commitment to lifelong vocabulary and terminology building are key.
What will you study in the Translation (M.A.) at International University SDI Munich?
The programme is taught in German. You need advanced German at C1 level (GER) and C1 in your first foreign language (English or Chinese). Teaching is mainly in German with individual classes held in the chosen foreign language. If you do not already study in German, plan time to prove C1 before enrolment.
You build a professional translator’s skill set across language, technology and service. Core content follows the European Master in Translation (EMT) competence framework and is clustered into these blocks:
Language, culture and translation practice: You refine near-native command of German plus your first foreign language (Deutsch–Englisch or Deutsch–Chinesisch). Typical classes cover translation theory and practice, contrastive linguistics and cultural studies, ensuring you can analyse source texts and deliver target texts fit for purpose in different domains.
Technology and tools in translation: You work hands-on with translation technologies, including computer-assisted translation (CAT) environments and the controlled use of machine translation. You learn terminology and quality management so that workflows and outputs meet professional standards.
Media and business competences: Translation rarely happens in isolation. You therefore add modules on media and communication as well as business foundations. These strengthen client interaction, pricing and project scoping, and prepare you to collaborate with agencies, in-house teams and international organisations.
Service and professional competences: You train for end-to-end delivery: briefing analysis, client communication, quoting, revision and delivery routines. Intercultural communication and ethics support decision-making in sensitive contexts and multilingual teams.
Electives and specialisations: You choose focus areas that match your career plan: Interpreting, Technical Translation, or Media Translation (e.g. subtitling). In addition, you may deepen English or add Russian. The programme offers a flexible structure with a foreign language plus two compulsory electives to build a coherent profile.
Teaching model and international options: Classes combine on-campus sessions with e-learning. The “3-day university” rhythm (three on-campus days per week) leaves space for student jobs or internships. Through partnerships you can study one to two semesters abroad and even earn double degrees. SDI Munich is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised) and awards ECTS credits within the Bologna framework (90 ECTS over three semesters).
How does studying in the Translation (M.A.) work?
Teaching language and required language level
The teaching language is German. You need C1 German (GER) and C1 in your chosen first foreign language (either English or Chinese). Selected seminars are taught in that foreign language. If your schooling was not in German, plan for language preparation to reach C1 before you start.
Study model and where you will study in Munich
This is a full-time master over three semesters with a 3-days-on-campus rhythm complemented by online learning. You study at the International University SDI Munich campus in Munich, one of Germany’s major hubs for media, technology and international business. The city’s strong employer base and international community add networking and internship options alongside your studies.
Learning format, class sizes and support
Expect a blended setup: structured on-site seminars for practice and feedback, plus guided e-learning units for preparation and consolidation. Teaching is deliberately practice-oriented and delivered by lecturers with industry backgrounds. Groups are small, which means close supervision, quick feedback and scope to tailor projects to your language pair and specialisation.
How you will be assessed
You complete module examinations as set out in the university’s study and examination regulations. Assessment aligns with applied master’s standards in Germany and focuses on demonstrating competences in translation, technology use and professional service delivery at the end of each module.
Work experience and study abroad built into the schedule
The three on-campus days leave two weekdays free for internships or student jobs. The university supports placements through its teaching staff and networks. You can add one or two semesters abroad at partner universities; selected tracks offer a double degree if you complete both institutions’ requirements.
What does the Translation (M.A.) cost?
Tuition is listed at €640 per month. Over the standard duration of three semesters (90 ECTS), this adds up to around €12,245 in total. Budget for semester contributions or minor administrative fees if applicable, plus learning materials and software you may want to license for practice. Payments are usually made per month across the study period.
Living costs in Munich are among the highest in Germany. Rent for student accommodation, health insurance and day-to-day expenses can outweigh tuition significantly. As a rough orientation, many international students plan a four-figure monthly budget to live comfortably in the city; sharing a flat and using student dining facilities helps reduce costs. The 3-day on-campus schedule is designed to make student jobs more feasible alongside studies.
If you plan a semester abroad, factor in travel and local housing costs in the host country. Scholarships and financing options may exist at the university or through external foundations; check criteria, timelines and whether they apply to non-EU nationals.
What careers and recognition does the Translation (M.A.) offer?
International University SDI Munich is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised). The programme awards 90 ECTS credits within the Bologna system, supporting degree portability across the EU. ACQUIN has accredited the M.A. Translation from 2021 to 2029 without conditions. For you, this means the degree meets independent quality benchmarks and is suitable for further study or professional recognition wherever ECTS and Bologna standards are used.
The EMT-aligned skills plus technology training open doors in Germany, across the EU and worldwide. Typical roles include:
- In-house or freelance translator for technical, legal, marketing or financial texts
- Interpreter (community, business, or conference settings, depending on your specialisation)
- Media localisation specialist: subtitling, captioning, dubbing scripts and access services
- Language services project manager or vendor manager in LSPs and corporate teams
- Terminology manager, quality manager or language technology specialist (CAT/MT)
Salary varies by country, language pair and sector. In Germany, entry roles in language services typically start in the lower to mid professional salary bands, with higher earnings in technical domains, scarce language pairs, media localisation and project management. Freelancing offers income upside but depends on client base, specialisation and business skills gained in the service modules.
Who is the Translation (M.A.) right for – and who not?
This master’s is a good fit if you already operate at a high level in German and at least one additional language, and want to turn that talent into a profession using modern translation technologies. The flexible three-day campus schedule and small groups suit students who value practice, feedback and international exposure.
- You have C1 German and C1 in English or Chinese and enjoy working between languages and cultures.
- You want a practice-oriented master’s with CAT/MT tools, terminology and quality workflows.
- You aim to specialise in Interpreting, Technical Translation or Media Translation, with the option to add Russian.
- You value an accredited, state-recognised German degree (90 ECTS) that is portable across Europe.
- You appreciate a 3-days-on-campus schedule that leaves time for internships or student jobs.
It is not the right programme for everyone. The language of instruction and the on-campus format set clear boundaries you should consider before applying from abroad.
- If you do not meet C1 German, this programme will be inaccessible; it is not an English-medium master’s.
- If you cannot relocate to Munich for regular on-campus classes, the blended format will not suit you.
- If you prefer a research-only pathway with minimal practice, the applied, tools-driven profile may feel too vocational.
- If you need a programme that grants access to regulated professions (e.g. teaching, law), this translation master does not lead to those licences.
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