Double Degree in Translation
Become a professional translator and/or interpreter
Would you like to add an academic degree to your State Exam in Translation and/or Interpreting? The International University SDI München offers you the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Translation (External Examination).
In Bavaria, the academic degree in Translation (BA) is earned via a specialised professional academy—such as the Professional College for Languages and International Communication of the SDI München—combined with additional examinations at the International University SDI München (the External Examination pathway).
The Bachelor of Arts degree provides access to an academic career and opens the door to attractive opportunities in the job market.
Translation (BA, External Examination)
Entry requirement: Prior completion of three years of practice-oriented study at a state-recognised Professional College
Duration: An additional 6 to 12 months to obtain the Bachelor of Arts at the International University SDI München
Personal approach – close contact and direct exchange with professors and lecturers
Future-oriented – diverse and promising career opportunities
Get your Bachelor’s degree
You decide the pace and format of your academic Bachelor’s degree:
- Timing: After completing the State Exam, you can proceed directly to get your academic Bachelor’s degree—or return at a later stage, even after several years.
- Academic preparation: You can add a fourth year at the Professional College (BA Translation preparatory year) (offered on campus with online components), attend a compact preparation course (primarily online with some on-campus elements) or prepare for the exams on your own (information material provided via the learning platform).
The Bachelor's Degree in Translation is right for you ...
- if you want to add an academic degree to your successfully passed State Exam.
- if you would like to have an international career as a language professional – in writing and/or orally.
- if you want to play a key role in delivering top-quality texts and facilitating intercultural communication.
if you have a soft spot for linguistic-social topics.
All facts at a glance
| General information |
|
|---|---|
| Degree | Translation (BA, External Examination) |
| Duration | 6 to 12 months |
| Start | 1. Courses for academic preparation for the Bachelor’s examination
2. Written examinations (usually the first part of the academic examination) – offered three times a year
Current dates can be found here. |
| Number of ECTS credits | 210 ECTS, of which 105 ECTS are credited from the State Exam and 105 ECTS are earned through two cross-module written exams as well as the Bachelor’s thesis and an oral exam |
| Modules | See annex 1 and 2 of the Examination Regulations (PDF) |
| Addressees | Current and former graduates of a professional college who passed the State Exam for Translators or for Translators and Interpreters (Bavaria) |
| Examinations | The academic examinations consist of the following parts:
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| Fees | Tuition and Fees Schedule |
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Career prospects
Perfect conditions for starting your professional career
With your Bachelor’s thesis, you demonstrate that you are able to independently analyse a research-based or practice-oriented problem in the field of translation, applying established methods of academic research. You gain in-depth insight into key theories and current research topics in Translation Studies and Linguistics.
The internationally recognised Bachelor’s degree opens up excellent career prospects. You will be qualified to work as a freelancer, in ministries and public authorities, as well as in communication and management roles within internationally operating companies. Moreover, the Bachelor’s degree enables you to continue your academic journey with a Master's programme, paving the way for doctoral studies or habilitation.
Career prospects
Multilingual corporate communication, marketing and public relations in international companies
Translation and editing of technical texts
Consecutive and liaison interpreting
International project management
Teaching, training and education
Human resources (e.g. personnel development, business expatriation, international recruiting)
Registration & Contact
Registration for preparatory courses and examination
- Registration form for the BA Translation compact course
- Registration for the BA Translation preparatory year during the 4th year of studies at the Professional College
- Registration for the examination: Registration form for the BA examination (External Examination)
FAQ
Frequently asked questions and answers
The External Examination leads to the Double Degree in Translation: State Exam & BA
The External Examination is a three-part academic examination consisting of two written cross-module exams, a Bachelor’s thesis and an oral exam. It enables graduates of a Bavarian professional college to obtain a Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Arts).
We recommend the preparatory courses or the BA Translation preparatory year at the Professional College to prepare for the External Examination.
The total fees (see PDF) for the External Examination depend on several factors, including the pathway you choose towards the BA in Translation (BA compact course or BA Translation preparation year), the Bavarian professional college at which you completed your State Exam, and whether you take the Bachelor’s examination as an SDI alumni or directly following your State Exam at the SDI.
You can prepare for the academic examinations at the SDI München through two different pathways:
- BA compact course: This Bachelor’s preparation course is offered in intensive blocks and focuses primarily on online modules to prepare you for the written academic examinations. A winter course and a summer course are usually available. The compact courses can be taken alongside the third year at a professional college or while working, as they are scheduled either on Friday afternoons and Saturdays (for the winter course) or during school holidays (second week of the Bavarian Pentecost/Whitsun holidays) plus three to four additional weekend blocks (for the summer course).
- BA Translation preparation year: This option is offered as part of an preparation year at the professional college (year IV at the Professional College) and may be taken in parallel with preparation for the State Exam in Interpreting, a second foreign language, or an additional subject area. You will be prepared for and supported throughout the examination process through interactive weekly classes, aligned with the individual examination components. Teaching formats include lectures, colloquia, seminars and workshops. For enrolment, please use the professional college enrolment contract.
The Bavarian professional colleges cooperate closely in designing and delivering the examination preparation programmes. You may also wish to contact your local professional college for further information.
No. While we recommend that candidates for the External Examination attend the Bachelor’s preparation courses, this is not mandatory. Depending on your individual learning style, self-directed preparation for the examinations is also possible.
Yes. The admission requirements apply regardless of the year of graduation and regardless of the professional college at which the qualification was obtained.
Yes. The External Examination is open to graduates of all Bavarian professional colleges for languages and international communication and provides the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Translation. The External Examination pathway supports the long-term sustainability of professional translator and interpreter training at Bavarian professional colleges and ensures that this form of education is academically recognised and aligned with international degree standards.
If you do not hold a higher education entrance qualification (such as the Abitur or an equivalent qualification but entered a Bavarian professional college via a lower secondary school certificate, for example through a vocational college), but have successfully completed the State Exam, you are required to attend an advisory consultation at the International University SDI München in order to be admitted.
- BA Translation compact course: No. You take the examination as a non-matriculated candidate at the International University SDI München.
- BA Translation preparation year: Yes. You are enrolled as a student at the Professional College of the SDI München during the programme.