Access Requirements

1° Student must hold a first level university degree.

2° Since French 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 Interpreting must provide proof of a perfect command of the French language: 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.

3° In addition, all students applying for the Master [120] in Interpreting 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.

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).

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/en-prog-intp2m.

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.

The aptitude test

An aptitude test is organised after a few weeks of classes at the beginning of the Master [120] in Interpreting to help students assess their interpretation skills. If they receive an unfavourable opinion, they can, after agreement from the Faculty, redirect themselves to the Master [120] in Translation.

> See the website Valorisation des acquis de l'expérience

It is possible to gain admission to all masters courses via the validation of professional experience procedure.

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 UF12 level of the LSFB (at least UF9) 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 :
•    the introduction of a VAE file detailing the training course, the career path and the experience acquired (knowledge, know-how, interpersonal skills);
•    the presentation of the above-mentioned admission test in French and LSFB, as well as a possible interview (in French and LSFB) with the admission board.

If the students' educational background is incomplete, supplementary classes may be integrated into their master's programme.

All candidates for the Master's degree in interpretation must be able to 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. If necessary, an admission test will be organised by the admission board.

Students with a Belgian degree
Students whose previous educational background is not included in the above-mentioned admission requirements may apply for admission according to the procedure described below.

Students with an international degree (EU)
Students whose previous educational background is not included in the above-mentioned admission requirements may apply for admission according to the procedure described below.

Students with an international degree (outside the EU)
Students holding an undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree from a university outside Europe may apply for admission, provided they have obtained at least a 55% (or 11/20) general average for all successful academic years at their home university.
Applications that do not meet this minimum average requirement will be automatically rejected.
However, this may be waived provided that the applicant has duly attested significant professional experience (consult Validation of learning from experience).

Requests for further information regarding admission to this Master's programme should be addressed to Ms. Fiorella Flamini, Study Adviser (conseiller.etudes-fial@uclouvain.be) of the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Letters.

All applications for admission, enrolment or re-enrolment (from a Belgian or international candidate) must be submitted online to the UCLouvain Enrolment Service (SIC): https://uclouvain.be/en/study/inscriptions.

If a Faculty's authorisation or derogation is requested by the UCLouvain Enrolment Service (SIC), the request for authorisation must be submitted to the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Letters, in accordance with the procedure described on the page: https://uclouvain.be/fr/facultes/fial/admission-et-inscription.html.