Launch your career with a master’s degree

Continuing your studies after your bachelor's degree pays off. Graduates with a master's degree are more likely to find higher-level positions: 77% start at a university of applied sciences (hbo) or university level, compared to 63% of graduates who only hold a bachelor's degree. This difference remains visible in the long term. After more than two years of work experience, 87% of master's alumni work at a university of applied sciences or university level, compared to 76% of bachelor's alumni.

A unique strength on the job market

The Master's programme in Translation at Leiden University equips you with a range of transferable skills and knowledge that will help you stand out in your future career. Your specialised knowledge is complemented by a broad and contextual understanding as well as critical-thinking skills that can be applied to complex conceptual problems. Other skills you may encounter in the various Linguistics courses are:

• Oral and written communication
• Project management
• Creative thinking
• Problem-solving skills
• Intercultural skill

You have the opportunity to do an internship at an organisation in the Netherlands or abroad. This experience is a great way to gain work experience or to explore the professional field. Organisations that our students have interned at include:

• Leiden University Academic Language Centre
• Global Voices
• MediLingua
• Taalmuseum (Language Museum)
• The European Parliament
• Dutch Tax Administration

The Humanities Career Service offers you various (online) workshops, webinars and info sessions. Check our overview of career activities. 

The Leiden University Career Zone is an online career portal that helps you to prepare for the job market. Here you can find information, tools and tips to help you gain more personal insight, learn about the job market, develop your application skills, plan your academic and professional career, find job vacancies and discover what the Career Service can do for you.

Join the Mentor Network to contact alumni with experience on the labour market and ask them for advice. More than 1200 alumni are happy to help you!

You are eligible to apply for the MA Linguistics: Translation if you have:

• A bachelor’s degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree, and
• Proven active (writing, speaking) and passive (reading, listening) proficiency in English and Dutch at the final level of the Leiden University minor in Translation. And proven proven translation skills, academic writing skills, and knowledge and understanding of translation studies and culture specific translation issues, comparable to those acquired by completing the Leiden University minor in Translation of at least 30 EC. For example: 
  • a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Culture or a language-related field and a completed minor in translation that includes Dutch-English translation and English-Dutch translation; or
  • a Bachelor’s degree in a non-related field, a completed minor in translation that includes Dutch-English translation and English-Dutch translation, demonstrated affinity with language and translation.

Demonstrated by:

• For applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Culture or a language-related field who have not completed a minor in translation that includes Dutch-English translation and English-Dutch translation: a translation pre-master programme (30 to 60 EC);
• For applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in a non-related field without a completed translation minor: a translation pre-master programme (30 to 60 EC).

Applicants who have a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university in English Language and Culture or a language-related field and who have completed the minor in Translation at Leiden University are considered to have fulfilled the additional requirements for the specialisation Translation.

** The Board of Admissions will decide whether or not an applicant is eligible to take the test or is eligible for admission to the translation pre-master’s programme.

For applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences [hbo-bachelor] in English Language and Culture or a language-related field the Board of Admissions will decide whether an applicant is eligible for admission to a translation pre-master’s programme between 40-60 EC in order to remedy deficiencies.

Once you have completed the imposed pre-master’s programme, you will be admitted to the relevant specialisation of the Master’s programme. Read more about the pre-master’s programme.

For applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences (hbo-bachelor) in English Language and Culture or a language-related field the Board of Admission may impose a translation pre-master programme (40 to 60 EC), to be completed before admission into the MA programme.

The Board of Admissions will decide whether an applicant is eligible to take the entry test or is eligible for admission to the translation pre-master programme, respectively. The decision will be based on sufficient knowledge of Dutch and English (minimum level CEFR C1), proven affinity with language and translation, and a Bachelor’s degree from a university or university of applied sciences (hbo-bachelor) in English Language and Culture or a language-related field.

For students who have not completed the minor Vertalen Engels-Nederlands, admission is only possible after passing the entry test. However, it is important to first start the application procedure in Studielink. The Board of Admissions will then decide whether or not an applicant is eligible to take the test.

Please note that the entry test will only be offered on one day. There is no resit opportunity. It is not possible to get feedback on the test, students will only receive a pass or a fail.

The entry test for the MA Translation comprises two parts:

• Part A: a 3-hour translation test (an English to Dutch translation and a Dutch to English translation, respectively);
• Part B: a 2-hour test with multiple choice questions, true/false statements and short answer questions (Translation Studies and Culture Studies for Translators, respectively)

Preparing for the entry test
Part A:

• To prepare for the translation test, we recommend practicing with a few texts at home.
• A sample translation test (plus key) will be provided in June.

Part B:

• To prepare for Translation Studies part of the test, please study the chapters from the course book listed under ‘Required Reading’ below (Munday, Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications).  A reader will be provided for additional explanations of the topics covered in the course book.
• To prepare for the Culture Studies part of the test, please study the reader provided (Entry Test Culture Studies reader 2021). The chapters of the course books listed under ‘Required Reading’ serve as background reading.
• In June, a mock exam will be provided with Translation Studies and Culture Studies questions.

Required Reading:
Culture Studies for Translators (part B):

• Entry Test Culture Studies reader 2021
• Oakland, J.. American Civilization. New York: Routledge. (latest edition): Chapters 6 and 7 (Political institutions), chapter 9 (The legal system) and chapter 12 (Education)
• Oakland, J.. British Civilization. London: Routledge. (latest edition): Chapter 4 (Politics and government), chapter 5 (International relations: only the part on Northern Ireland), chapter 6 (The legal system) and chapter 9 (Education)

Please note that the exam will be based on knowledge and insight questions from the reader. There will also be a number of translation questions. The course books for the Culture Studies part comprise background reading.

Introduction to Translation Studies (part B):

• Munday, J. (2012). Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications. London/New York: Routledge. (4th or later edition): chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and chapter 9 sections 9.0 and 9.1.

Please note that the reader for the Translation Studies part is not required reading, but aims to help candidates prepare for the Entry Test.

Translation Dutch to English and English to Dutch (part A):

• No required reading. A mock exam and key will be provided in June.

Entry Test date
The Entry Test Translation will take place on Monday 6 July 2026.

In order to successfully participate in this programme, you must be proficient in English. The following requirements apply:

IELTS: 7.5 (a minimum score of IELTS 7.0 is required for each of the four components)

• We do not accept IELTS Academic online.
• We do not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicator.

TOEFL (internet-based): 113 with at least 5.0 (new 1-6 scale as of 21 January 2026) or 25 (old 0-30 scale) for each separate component. 

• We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situations only:
• You took the test before 1 Sept 2022 (and it is not more than 2 years old), or you are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
• We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™  or institutional tests such as ITP.

Cambridge English C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced with overall score 191, where each separate component score must be at least 185.

See also the English test score equivalency table of Leiden University.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old.

* New TOEFL grading scale 2026
In January 2026, TOEFL introduced a new grading scale. Test certificates issued in 2026 and 2027 will show overall scores in both the old grading scale (0-120) and the new grading scale (1-6). Component or band scores will only be shown in the new grading scale.
Leiden University’s 2026-2027 overall score requirements will continue to be based on the old grading scale. If you took your test on or after 21 January 2026, you must meet the overall score requirement shown on our website in the old grading scale (0-120), and the component score requirements shown on our website in the new grading scale (1-6).

*You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university or a diploma of an English-taught higher professional education (hbo) programme at a Dutch university of applied sciences.

For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.

In order to successfully participate in this programme, you must be proficient in Dutch, i.e. minimally CEFR C1 levels for all components (writing, speaking, reading, listening).  

Leiden University reserves a limited number of rooms each year for international students. However, as the number of housing requests always greatly exceeds the number of rooms available, we strongly recommend that you also look into other housing options at the same time. Read more about how and when to arrange housing. If you want to request accommodation via Leiden University, submit both your application for admission and your housing request well before the deadlines! Accommodation is offered on a first-come first-served basis and is not guaranteed. You don’t have to await admission before requesting housing.

If you want to apply for a scholarship, grant or loan, please bear in mind that different deadlines apply, and these deadlines can often be earlier. Deadlines vary per scholarship. Visit the scholarship website for more details.

You can apply for admission before receiving the results of your English language test. However, a sufficient result will then be a condition of your eventual admission. Of course, if you already have your English language test results, you can upload them directly.

• Digital copies of diplomas and transcripts are initially required. Once you have been admitted, we will inform you how to submit certified copies.
• The documents must be in the original language. If they are not in English, Dutch, German or French, they must be accompanied by official translations into one of these languages.
• If you have not yet completed your current programme, state your expected graduation date and submit copies of all transcripts obtained to date plus a list of subjects still to be completed.

You are required to upload additional information: 1) about your acquired knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of the Master’s programme you are applying for and 2) about your acquired general academic skills. You can upload this format Questionnaire Master Application.

• You can check the programme specific requirements regarding knowledge, understanding and skills on the Admission Requirements page. 
• The format includes the list of general academic skills which the candidate must possess in order to be admitted to the Master’s programme at the Faculty of Humanities.
• You can contact the coordinator of studies for further questions about the questionnaire. 

1. Go to Studielink and enter your details according to the instructions provided. For this step you will need:

• a copy of your valid passport or European ID card, or
• if you are a Dutch resident, your DigiD. 

Be aware! If you wish to apply for a specialisation of a master's programme: first select the master’s programme in Studielink, then select the specialisation for which you wish to apply in Step 4 (Institutional Questions) in Studielink.

2. Within two days you will receive:

• an email with information on the next steps you'll need to take;
• your university ULCN student account details (unless, of course, you already have a ULCN account)
• the link to Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis)

After receiving your ULCN student account details, log into Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis), using the link provided. Here you can view the status of your application, which will be one of two possibilities.

1. You can be directly admitted
If your (Dutch) diploma grants you direct admission, Leiden University's online application portal (uSis) will let you know. The portal provides an overview of what you have to do to complete your application, for example arranging housing, scholarships, applying for a visa/residence permit and insurances. Please follow the instructions carefully and proceed to step 3 Student registration.

2. You cannot be directly admitted: additional action is required
If you do not have a (Dutch) diploma that grants you direct admission, we will require additional documents to allow us to decide about your application. The online application portal (uSis) will tell you this and explain how to do so. See also Part 2: Admission to Leiden University.

In our online application portal (uSis) you can finalise your application by uploading the necessary documents and answering a few questions. This portal provides an overview of what you need to do to complete your admission application. Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure to include all the items that are asked for. We strongly recommend that you complete your application well in advance of the application deadline.

All applicants with an international degree must pay a non-refundable €100 application fee, which entitles you to apply for up to three programmes/specialisations in the same academic year. We cannot start processing your application until we receive this application fee, so please pay it as soon as possible. The online application system explains how you can pay it.

Can I be exempted from paying the application fee?
You do not have to pay the application fee if:

• You are following, or have completed, a bachelor’s degree at a Dutch university (of applied sciences). 
• You have previously registered as an exchange, bachelor’s, master’s or pre-master’s student at Leiden University.
• You have previously been admitted to the same degree programme at Leiden University, but you decided to postpone your studies. This does not apply if you are applying for a different study programme or specialisation.
• You have refugee status in the Netherlands (with a residence permit for asylum).

Exemptions cannot be granted for any other reasons.

After you have submitted your application, the online application portal (uSis) will, if applicable, ask you if you want to apply for student housing, a visa/residence permit or a scholarship. Be sure to make a careful note of the relevant deadlines for these options.  

After receiving your application fee payment (if applicable), the Admissions Office will check whether all the necessary documents have been uploaded and they will inform you by email whether any further items are required. The Board of Admissions of the faculty will then:

• decide whether you meet the admission requirements for the programme; 
• strive to issue a decision on your completed application within four to six weeks of the University receiving it.

Once a decision has been reached you will be informed by email. You can view your admission status in the online application portal (uSis).

There are three possible outcomes:

1. You are admitted
   You have met all conditions for admission.
2. You are conditionally admitted
   You will be admitted, provided that you meet certain conditions. These conditions will be specified in the online application portal (uSis).
3. You are not admitted

The reason(s) for non-admission will be clearly stated in the online application portal (uSis). If you are informed that you have been (conditionally) admitted, you will have to take a number of additional steps.

If you are (conditionally) admitted, the Admissions Office will ask you to confirm whether you will join the study programme. You can do so in the online application portal (uSis).

1.    Go to ‘Application study programme’ in the online application portal (uSis).
2.    Open the ‘Confirm’ screen. Here you will see three options:

• Yes, I want to study at Leiden University.
• No, I no longer wish to study at Leiden University and hereby withdraw my application.
• Maybe later; I do not wish to start this semester/academic year. I would like to receive further instructions by email.

The sooner the better
Confirm attendance as soon as possible, to avoid missing other important deadlines and information about your study programme.

Changing your mind
You can still change your mind if necessary, either in uSis or by contacting the Admissions Office master team.  

Deadline final decision 
Do you need a student visa or residence permit? You can only request one after confirming attendance. So make sure to confirm attendance before the visa/residence permit deadline. 

If you don’t need a visa or residence permit, the latest deadline for confirming attendance is before the start date of your study programme.

Check in the online application portal (uSis) whether you need to submit any documents to meet the conditions of your admission. Instructions on how to do so will be provided in uSis.

Arrange the payment of your tuition fee before the official start date of your programme. You will receive instructions and information on the available payment methods by email.

If you are an international student, go to the Prepare your stay page of our website for information about the practical matters you should take care of before and upon arrival. These include, for example, arranging housing, scholarships, applying for a visa/residence permit and insurances.

The tuition fee for this programme is  €2,771 for the academic year 2027-2028 (statutory fee).

This tuition fee applies if this is your first master’s programme and you are a national of one of the following countries:

The fee applies for both full-time and part-time study.

The tuition fee for this programme is €22,900 for the academic year 2027-2028 (institutional tuition fee).

If you are not a national of an EEA country, Suriname or Switzerland, generally speaking you will have to pay an institutional tuition fee. This fee applies for both full-time and part-time study. 

However, if, on the basis of your Dutch residence permit, you are eligible for student finance from the Dutch education agency (DUO) you are entitled to pay the statutory tuition fee. Information on qualifying residence permits can be found at the DUO website.

Only applicable to EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese nationals.

The tuition fee for this programme is €17,800 for the academic year 2027-2028 (institutional tuition fee).

If you are following a second Dutch master’s programme you will generally have to pay an institutional tuition fee that is higher than the statutory tuition fee.

Exceptions
In some cases, nationals of EEA countries, Suriname or Switzerland may be permitted to pay tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee for their second degree programme.

• Legal transitional arrangement for second bachelor's or master's degree: student pays the statutory tuition fee when:
  • Student has already obtained a bachelor's or master's degree but is starting a programme in the field of education or healthcare for the first time.
  • The student has already started a second bachelor's or master's programme before the first programme was completed and remains registered for it uninterruptedly.
• Institutional transitional arrangement for a second bachelor's or master's degree: student pays the institutional tuition fee equal to the statutory rate) when:
  • Student has already obtained a bachelor's or master's degree, but is starting a teacher training programme.
  • After completing a bachelor's or master's degree at Leiden University, a student will subsequently start a second programme (in academic years).

Are you unsure which tuition fee applies to you? Consult our Tuition Fee Calculator.​​​​​

If the pre-master's or conversion programme has 60 study credits or more, you pay the statutory tuition fee of that college year.

Leiden University offers a wide range of scholarships for students from specific regions of the world, or for specific programmes. Leiden University also offers the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS), a programme specifically designed for non-EU/EEA students enrolling in a master’s programme. Find out more about scholarships, grants, loans and deadlines

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national and under 30, you may be eligible for a loan from the Dutch government to cover your tuition fees.

• The ‘student website’ page on Leiden University’s student website contains information about practical aspects, introduction weeks and student associations. It’s also a handy source of study-related information and advice.
• For detailed information about courses, schedules and reading materials, check out the Prospectus. 

Sign up for the introduction week in Leiden (OWL) or The Hague (HOP)! It’s the best way to get acquainted with student life and the student cities of Leiden and The Hague. 

Three days after you receive a digital proof of enrolment, you will get access to your digital student card. You will receive the proof of enrolment by email, so make sure to check your inbox. You can find your digital student card in the Universiteit Leiden app. Read more about your student card here. 

As soon as you receive notification that your student registration has been finalised you should apply for a Leiden University ID card, or LU-Card. It also serves as your library card, print & copy card and access pass. Read more about applying for an LU-card here.  

Master's Open Days

During the Master's Open Days you’ll have the opportunity to learn all about Leiden University’s master's programmes. Attend presentations about your chosen programme(s) or practical matters such as admissions and housing. Get real insight into the content of your preferred master's, along with the career opportunities it will bring.

When are the next Open Days?

• 15 & 16 October 2026: Master's Online Open Days