Modern Languages (Interpreting and Translating) French/German

Interpreting and translating between French and German is a professional training programme that addresses two of Europe's most widely spoken and culturally significant languages. French and German together open access to an extraordinary range of literature, philosophy, science and political thought, and as working languages of the European Union and numerous international organisations they remain essential for careers in European and international professional contexts. This four-year full-time MA programme at Heriot-Watt University, ranked second in Scotland for languages in the National Student Survey 2025, develops your professional-level competence in both languages with a specific focus on applied skills for professional use.

You will develop advanced interpreting and translating skills across both languages, working across specialist domains and building the professional-level fluency and cultural understanding that quality interpretation and translation require. The programme goes well beyond general language proficiency, training you in the specific techniques of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting and the specialist challenges of translating across different text types and subject areas. A placement year gives you direct professional experience in a relevant language or translation context, and work placement opportunities are integrated throughout the programme, ensuring that your practical development proceeds alongside your academic formation.

Graduates who can interpret and translate between French and German, with English as the shared base, are in significant demand in the European and international professional market. Professional translation and interpreting agencies, international organisations, the European institutions, multinational companies, law firms and government departments all require qualified language professionals. Many graduates move into specific sectoral contexts such as legal translation, conference interpreting or technical translation.

Some pursue postgraduate training or doctoral research in translation studies, interpreting or computational linguistics. The combination of two major European languages at professional level makes this programme particularly valuable in the international job market.