Bible Translation: VU University Amsterdam

Course Description

The Master’s in Bible Translation is a one-year programme designed not only to provide students with an advanced knowledge of the theory and practice of Bible translation but also with the practical skills that will enable them to work effectively as Bible translators, translation advisors and researchers in the field of Bible translation. In the course of the programme, you will attend lectures and tutorials, carry out literature surveys, complete projects and write a thesis.

The programme of the Master’s specialization in Bible Translation comprises four basic components which are more or less equal in terms of study load: biblical languages and exegesis, linguistics, anthropology and translation studies.

Biblical Languages and Exegesis trains you to read and interpret biblical Greek and Hebrew texts in the light of existing information and research in the fields of theology and of Greek and Hebrew linguistics.

Linguistics gives you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the structural diversity of the languages of the world.

Anthropology focuses on the immense variety of ways in which linguistic expressions are embedded in divergent cultural practices

Translation Studies provides you with knowledge of fundamental notions of translation studies, trains you to apply these notions to specific translation problems, to critically reflect on translation processes, to report in a clear fashion about translation problems, and to interact in a critical manner with scholarly sources in the field of translation studies and methods of translation.

Career prospects

As stated above, there is a constant demand for professionals in the field of Bible translation both in the Netherlands and worldwide. Graduates can apply for positions at Bible translation agencies and at academic institutions that focus on the languages, interpretation or translation of the Bible. A majority of their graduates find employment at the major Bible translation agencies such as the United Bible Societies and Wycliffe Bible Translators, as well as with missions and national Bible societies.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to the Master’s in Bible Translation, you must have a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines: Semitic Languages, Classical Languages, Theology or Biblical Studies. Supplementary courses in biblical Greek and Hebrew, general linguistics and cultural anthropology are available for students with deficiencies in these disciplines in the pre-master phase from January - June. A committee from the Faculty of Theology will decide for each student individually which supplementary modules they have to take before being admitted to the Master’s programme.