In June 2024, the Master’s degree in Translation Studies at the University of Caen Normandy was awarded the European Master’s in Translation (EMT) label. This distinction recognises a professionally-oriented programme that meets the standards and demands of the translation market.

A programme of excellence

The European Master’s in Translation (EMT) is a label awarded for a period of 5 years (2024-2029) by the Directorate-General for Translation – the branch of the European Commission responsible for managing the translation and interpreting activities of the European institutions. For the University of Caen Normandie, this recognition represents a valuable opportunity to establish partnerships with the European Commission. The master’s programme will benefit from a network that promotes translation research through meetings and projects with other universities and European institutions, as well as professional integration through internships with partner organisations.

“In 2024, the Master’s in Translation Studies at the University of Caen Normandy is the only new French programme to have joined this network, which already includes 81 European university programmes from 22 countries, explains Ineke Wallaert, Senior Lecturer in Translation and head of the programme. The Master’s is now on a par with other prestigious translation programmes, including Paris-based institutions such as the Institut de management et de communication interculturels (ISIT) and the École supérieure d’interprètes et des traducteurs (ESIT).“

To qualify for the European Master’s in Translation label, a programme must meet a number of criteria, including the skills provided, the quality of student supervision and support, work placement opportunities, employability, and diversity of career prospects. These standards have always been part of the DNA of the Master’s in Translation Studies at the University of Caen Normandy!

Key strengths of the Master’s in Translation Studies

Originally, the Master’s in Translation Studies at the University of Caen Normandy was led by Thierry Ruchot (lecturer in Russian) and Ineke Wallaert (lecturer in translation) within the Modern Foreign Languages Department (UFR Langues vivantes étrangères – LVE). In 2017, the programme was established as part of the Master’s in Foreign and Regional Languages, Literatures, and Civilisations (LLCER). Then, in 2021, it was restructured as a Master’s in Translation and Interpreting.

“This Master’s degree is a professional training programme, taught by a faculty composed of over 90% professionals working in translation and technical writing,” explains Ineke Wallaert.

In the first year of the programme, students can choose from different language combinations, i.e., three working languages: French and English (compulsorily), plus a third language (German, Spanish, Italian, or Russian).
They then develop their translation skills in their chosen working languages, focusing on areas such as commercial, technical, and legal translation, as well as on their technological skills, particularly the mastery of computer-assisted translation tools (CAT), including major market leaders like Wordfast and SDL Trados. Additionally, they gain expertise in the use of machine translation and artificial intelligence.

In addition, to help students develop their professional skills, the master’s programme has maintained a partnership with the Cinéréel documentary festival since its inception. This collaboration gives rise to annual subtitling projects in master’s 1 courses. The programme also organises exchanges with professionals from various fields of translation, as well as study days focusing on translation research and translatology.

“The programme opens up a wide range of career opportunities, emphasises Ineke Wallaert. Post-editing, document monitoring, localisation, subtitling… The Master’s in Translation Studies at the University of Caen Normandy trains the translators of tomorrow, combining academic rigour with market trends.“