Specialized Translation and Conference Interpreting

Academic Year

2026/2027

Language

Italian / English

Degree

Laurea Magistrale (MUR)

Identification degree code (LM-94)

Course Overview

The Master's in Specialized Translation and Conference Interpreting at Unicollege is a cutting-edge, career-oriented program designed to equip students with the advanced skills required to thrive in today's dynamic translation and interpreting industry. Tailored to meet the highest professional standards, this program offers a unique blend of theoretical depth and hands-on experience, ensuring students are fully prepared to excel in real-world settings.

Specialized Training in Translation

Students will develop high-level translation techniques across key specialized fields, including:

Legal, medical, technical, financial, and audiovisual translation
Terminology management, localization strategies, and AI-assisted translation technologies
Practical workshops, real-world translation projects, and industry-leading CAT tools (e.g., SDL Trados Studio, MemoQ, Wordfast)

Expertise in Interpreting

Students will also receive comprehensive training in professional interpreting, mastering the core techniques:

Simultaneous, consecutive, and liaison interpreting
Specialized training in political, legal, economic, scientific, and cultural discourse
Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (RSI), Computer-Assisted Interpreting (CAI), and AI-enhanced language technologies

Industry Relevance and Professional Engagement

What sets this program apart is its strong focus on employability and industry engagement. Students benefit from:

Courses taught by renowned international professionals
Professional networking opportunities and internships with top-tier translation agencies, institutions, and multinational companies
Live interpreting sessions, mock conferences, and direct engagement with industry professionals

With an ever-growing demand for specialized language professionals, this Master's program provides the expertise, tools, and competitive edge needed to succeed in international institutions, multinational corporations, and the global language services industry.

Study plan

Curriculum

Two academic years of 60 ECTS each — the first year builds theoretical foundations and core translation/interpreting skills; the second year specialises into advanced conference interpreting modes, sectoral translation, internship and final thesis.

Year 1 — Theory & Foundations Year 2 — Specialisation & Thesis

Foreign Language I6 credits

First working foreign language — advanced linguistic and cultural training in the chosen language (English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese or Arabic).

Foreign Language II6 credits

Second working foreign language — advanced linguistic and cultural training in the chosen language.

Interpreting & Translation (Foreign Language I)10 credits

Core interpreting and translation training in the first working language: consecutive interpreting, sight translation, general and specialised written translation, with structured lab practice.

Interpreting & Translation (Foreign Language II)10 credits

Core interpreting and translation training in the second working language: consecutive interpreting, sight translation, general and specialised written translation, with structured lab practice.

Computational Tools for Interpreting and Translation6 credits

Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)
Digitalized Translation Strategies & Techniques
Artificial Intelligence
Digitalized Interpreting Strategies & Techniques
Applied Artificial Intelligence for Interpreting Purposes

Interpreting & Translation Workshop6 credits

Hands-on integrated lab combining translation and interpreting practice across both working languages, with peer review and instructor feedback.

Electives12 credits

Elective modules selected by the student from the curriculum offer, aligned to professional and academic interests.

Communications Deontology & Ethics6 credits

Professional ethics, deontology, and conduct standards for translators, interpreters, and communications professionals.

Interpreting & Translation (Foreign Language I)12 credits

Advanced interpreting and translation in the first foreign language — simultaneous interpreting in the booth, sectoral translation (legal, medical, economic, EU institutional) and accreditation-level practice.

Interpreting & Translation (Foreign Language II)12 credits

Advanced interpreting and translation in the second foreign language — simultaneous interpreting in the booth, sectoral translation and accreditation-level practice.

Advanced Professional Skills — Workshop6 credits

Advanced workshop covering professional translation/interpreting skills, market preparation, project management and institutional accreditation tests.

Internship20 credits

Supervised placement at a translation agency, language-services provider, international organisation or in-house language department — in Italy or abroad — with portfolio deliverable and reflective report.

Thesis8 credits

An original research dissertation combining translation theory and applied analysis — e.g. an annotated specialised translation, an interpreting-corpus study, or a terminology project — defended before a faculty committee.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program emerge as highly qualified, competitive professionals, ready to take on prestigious roles such as:

Specialized Translator (Legal, Medical, Technical, Financial, Scientific)
Audiovisual Translator (Subtitling, Dubbing, Script Adaptation)
Literary Translator (Books, Essays, Poetry, Fiction & Non-Fiction)
Game Localizer (Video Games, Software Localization)
Marketing Translator (Transcreation, Advertising & Branding)
Sworn Translator (Court Translator for Official Documents)
Conference Interpreter (Simultaneous & Consecutive)
Diplomatic Interpreter (Embassies, Government Institutions)
Court Interpreter (Legal & Judicial Settings)
Medical Interpreter (Hospitals, Healthcare Institutions)
Business Interpreter (Corporate Negotiations, Trade Fairs)
Liaison Interpreter (Diplomatic, Business, Cultural Affairs)
Remote Simultaneous Interpreter (Online Conferences, Webinars)
Project Manager in Translation Agencies
Linguistic Consultant for Multinational Companies
EU Interpreter (European Parliament, Court of Justice)
UN Interpreter (Conferences, Diplomatic Missions)
International Organization Translator (UN, NATO, OECD)
Multilingual Communication Manager
Cultural Mediator (Migration & Integration Services)
Localization Specialist (Software, Websites, E-Commerce)
SEO Translator (Multilingual Web Content)
Terminologist (Glossaries & Specialized Databases)
Post-Editor (Machine Translation Refinement)
Language Quality Assurance (Editing & Proofreading)
AI Translation Trainer (Linguistic Data Specialist)
Subtitler & Dubbing Adapter (TV, Film, Streaming Platforms)
Multilingual Content Creator (Marketing, Branding)
Bilingual Journalist (Multilingual Journalism)
Trainer & Academic Researcher (Translation Studies)

Academic Model

The academic model of the Master's Degree Program in Specialized Translation and Conference Interpreting is designed to concentrate coursework on specific days of the week, fostering an immersive and balanced learning experience. This setup is ideal for working students or those engaged in personal projects, offering an organized weekly structure that combines theory with hands-on practice.

The curriculum combines:

Cross-disciplinary lectures that provide a strong theoretical and methodological foundation
Strategic seminars led by industry experts, striking a balance between theory and practical application

This structured alternation between theoretical and practical learning helps students develop hands-on skills in a realistic professional context. Through practice-based seminars, exercises, and group activities, students apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios, building both knowledge and the ability to act in a tangible way.

The Master's Degree Program in Specialized Translation and Conference Interpreting at Unicollege is open to all graduates with a linguistic background, regardless of their specialization in translation or interpreting during their undergraduate studies.

To ensure equal and well-rounded access to the program, the first year includes compensatory modules tailored to students' prior training:

Students with a translation background will acquire fundamental consecutive interpreting skills.
Students with an interpreting background will follow an intensive translation module.

These initial courses align all candidates' competencies, establishing a common foundation from which they can continue with a unified curriculum.

After this phase, once students have acquired both translation and interpreting skills, they still have the opportunity to further specialize through:

Elective courses
Internship experiences
Thesis research

This innovative approach doubles career opportunities, providing a broad and versatile skill set in the linguistic mediation sector.

In-house Academic Internship

The first internship, intra moenia, allows students to enhance their curriculum with high-value academic experiences, including:

Teaching assistance
Tutoring within their specialization area
Active seminar participation, directly engaging in classroom discussions with undergraduate students in relevant subjects

These experiences are officially recognized in the student's curriculum and serve as a prestigious reference, providing a valuable credential for future employment opportunities.

External Professional Internship

In parallel, students also undertake an external internship, working with a company or institution specialized in their field of expertise. This ensures a bilateral preparation, equipping them with both academic excellence and concrete professional experience.

Thanks to this innovative structure, students gain both highly qualified academic training and practical industry experience, doubling their opportunities, prestige, and career prospects.

Ready to apply?

Eligibility check

Submit application

Aptitude test & interview

Enrol

Frequently asked questions

Which languages are required?

English at C1/C2 level is mandatory, plus at least one further working language at advanced level (typically French, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese or Arabic). Italian is the language of academic instruction and must be at C1 level — non-Italian speakers should plan a preparatory pathway. Specific combinations available each year are confirmed by the Admissions Office.

What does the entry test involve?

Admission is based on an aptitude test covering written translation (English-Italian and second-language-Italian), an oral consecutive-interpreting exercise, a sight-translation task, and a motivational interview. The test assesses linguistic precision, listening and analytical skills, and suitability for the demanding interpreting curriculum.

Is Italian residency required?

No — the programme welcomes international students. EU citizens enrol directly; non-EU students require a study visa, which Unicollege's International Office supports. Most teaching is delivered in person on the Florence campus, so students should plan to relocate for the duration of the programme.

What are typical career outcomes?

Graduates work as freelance and in-house translators (legal, medical, technical, economic), conference interpreters at EU and UN institutions and on the private market, terminologists and project managers in the localisation industry, and translation-quality specialists for multinational corporations. The MUR-accredited Italian Laurea Magistrale also opens doctoral pathways in Translation Studies.

Is the internship abroad?

The 6-ECTS internship can be completed in Italy or abroad, depending on the student's specialisation. Common placements include translation agencies, EU institutional language departments, international NGOs and corporate language services. Unicollege's network and Erasmus+ traineeships support placements across Europe.

Is the degree recognised internationally?

Yes — the Master is a fully MUR-accredited Italian Laurea Magistrale (120 ECTS, EQF level 7). It is automatically recognised across the European Higher Education Area and grants access to EU institutional accreditation tests, doctoral programs and the regulated profession of sworn translator (CTU) before Italian courts.