It is a one-year academic programme offering foreign students the opportunity to study Dutch as a foreign language in a very intensive way and at a high level. No prior knowledge of Dutch is required. At the same time the programme provides students who are interested in translation with a solid foundation in translation and the use of translation tools. On successful completion of the programme students will be awarded the International Postgraduate Certificate in Dutch and Translation.

The study programme amounts to 60 credits in total. Four of the five Dutch courses (30 ECTS credits) aim at a thorough acquisition of the Dutch language, while the fifth (Dutch: Intercultural Project) focuses on the development of society and the institutions of the Low Countries. The language courses are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Two general theoretical courses (10 ECTS credits) give an introduction into the scientific field of Applied Language Studies and into the legal, organisational and translational aspects of the multilingual European institutions.
The four elective courses (20 ECTS credits) address the scientific discipline of Translation Studies (e.g. Audiovisual Translation) and/or focus on your personal interest. Courses focusing on digital communication and translation technology (e.g. Introduction to Translation Technology, Digital Communication management, Digital Public relations), foreign languages (e.g. linguistics or literature courses), didactics (e.g. Introduction to Foreign Language Training for Adults) or more general subjects (e.g. Human Rights: Multidisciplinary Perspectives) are also possible.

As said above, the International Postgraduate Programme Dutch & Translation is designed for students who want to study the Dutch language and acquire solid translation skills in order to start a professional career in a Dutch-speaking country, such as Belgium or The Netherlands. The programme is designed to provide students with the expected knowledge, background, and skills to work as translators, either on a freelance basis for an agency or as employees within a company.

The programme is also helpful for those interested in working for international organizations – such as the UN, the European Commission, NATO, an embassy … – or multinational companies, working as an interpreter, as a sworn translator, as a language teacher or language trainer for adults, as a subtitler, as a dubbing or voice-over professional, as a proofreader, as a software localizer, as a copywriter, as a terminologist, or in sectors such as the media, marketing, editing, sales, etc.

Within the programme, students will find a series of subjects that will help them to get to know the international organizations and multinational companies – from the communication sector in particular – with headquarters in Dutch-speaking countries, such as Belgium and The Netherlands.