Software Localization (M.Sc.)
Department Computer Science and Languages
Content
- Localization of graphic user interfaces
- Writing for translation, machine translation, translation technology
- Workflow scenarios
- Efficient terminology management
- Quality assurance in localization projects
- Project management in localization projects
Degree
Master of Science
Department
Computer Science and Languages
Location
Köthen
Duration
3 semesters
Program Start
winter semester or summer semester
Sem Contribution
96 euros
Study type
Full-Time Program
Language
German
Credits
90
Accreditation
ASIIN until 30.09.2026
Application period
International Uni Assist15.03. – 15.09. (winter)
15.09. – 15.03. (summer)
15.05. – 15.09. (winter)
15.09. – 15.03. (summer)
Course content and objectives
The program’s objective is to convey theoretical and practical knowledge of product localization for various fields of application. In this project-oriented program, the focus is on adapting office and web applications, computer games, and software for mobile devices to the language and culture of foreign markets as well as mastering processes and tools that are used in the translation and localization industry and learning project management.
Graduates work as project managers, localization engineers, or translators in localization companies, software companies, translation agencies, terminology departments, as freelancers, in marketing departments, in international organizations, and in large corporations. Localization experts are in demand worldwide.
Requirements
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University Degree
- An admission requirement is a qualified university degree in a bachelor’s program in translation, the bachelor's degree program in Specialized Technical Communication - Software Localization, technical editing, or comparable degree programs with a standard period of study of at least seven semesters
- If the standard period of study for the degree program in which the bachelor’s degree was obtained is six semesters, then in the master’s program additional coursework totaling 30 credits must be completed (adaptation modules).
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Language Skills
- TestDAF Niveaustufe 4xTDN4
- DSH2
- or another acceptable German language certificate
Learning objectives
Graduates will be able to adapt software products of different platforms and application fields to the linguistic, cultural and technical conditions of a target market.
Graduates will acquire knowledge in software development and information technology and will be able to analyze software of different development environments as well as develop and implement the localization workflow.
They will have extensive knowledge of markup languages, especially XML and its applications. They will be able to localize graphical user interfaces, technical documentation and multimedia applications using translation, terminology management and localization tools.
Graduates will become familiar with automated quality assurance procedures and will be able to design concepts for quality assurance in the localization environment. They will acquire project management skills and will gain experience in managing localization projects.
They will be able to configure parsers in the localization tools and competently solve coding issues of character encoding in dialogue with software developers. Graduates will be able to systematically evaluate localization and other specialized software engineering tools and also use them in practice.
Podcast/Interview with Prof. Dr. Seewald-Heeg
Module description handbook
Module plans
More detailed information about the modules (subjects) can be found in the corresponding module description handbook (in German).
The right preparation
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Recognition of coursework from a first degree
Following enrollment, examination results from a first degree program can be credited upon application to the Examinations Committee of the Department.
Questions about this should be directed to the Chair of the Examinations Committee.
Software for teaching and training
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Déjà Vu
ATRIL has signed a cooperation agreement with our university in September 2017 and has been providing the Department of Computer Science and Languages with its translation memory system Déjà Vu for teaching purposes ever since.
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Sisulizer
Sisulizer Enterprise is the best software localization tool for large-scale enterprises and software companies going global. (Source: www.sisulizer.de)
Sisulizer version 3 has been used in the bachelor's and master's degree program in Software Localization since the summer semester 2012.
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IBM
Within the Academic Initiative, IBM provides academic institutions and secondary schools with advanced software, educational materials and other resources. (Source: www.ibm.de, Engagement und Verantwortung, in German)
Since the winter semester 2010/2011, version 7 of the Rational Rose Enterprise Edition software has been used for training in the bachelor's degree program in Applied Computer Science.
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Acrolinx
Acrolinx IQ is an enterprise-wide client-server system that helps ensure and optimize quality and efficiency during content development. (Source: www.acrolinx.de)
Acrolinx IQ version 2 has been used in the bachelor's and master's degree program in Software Localization since the summer semester 2012.
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Across Systems
The Across Language Server is the central platform for all language resources and translation processes in companies. This platform makes translation processes more efficient, saving time and money.
The Across Language Server and Across Client version 5 have been used in the bachelor's and master's degree program in Software Localization since the summer semester 2010.
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Kilgray
MemoQ Server is a translation system. It contains various components for collaborative translation work.
Since summer semester 2011, MemoQ Server and MemoQ Translator Pro version 4.5 have been used in the bachelor's and master's degree program in Software Localization.
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Phrase! Academic Edition
Our university department has been granted free access to Phrase! Academic edition. https://www.phrase.com/roles/academia

Adobe partnership
The partnership of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences with Adobe provides students of the Department of Computer Science and Languages with state-of-the-art technical communication tools.
“Studying at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences has a strong practical orientation. Thanks to our partnership with Adobe, our computer science and software localization students can learn about and become familiar with the modern, powerful and industry-recognized tools of the Adobe Technical Communication Suite and will become confident that they are able to meet the latest technological demands when starting their careers.”
– Prof. Dr. Uta Seewald-Heeg, Degree Program Advisor Software Localization
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Sprache und Informatik – passt das zusammen?
Als Fachübersetzerin oder Fachübersetzer gehört es vielfach zu Ihren Aufgaben, Texte technischer Geräte zu übersetzen. Wenn Entwickler nicht daran gedacht haben, dass die Texte aus dem Programmkode der Computerprogramme für das Übersetzen extrahiert werden müssen oder wenn die Textfragmente von Computerprogrammen mehrere Interpretationen zulassen und es damit unmöglich ist, den Text richtig zu übersetzen, müssen Sie im Beruf häufig mit den Entwicklern, IT-Spezialisten oder Fachleuten für Technik, kommunizieren. Und damit dies gelingt, ist ein Grundwissen in einzelnen Informatikdisziplinen und die Beherrschung der Fachterminologie unbedingt erforderlich.