The IX Specialist Diploma in Video Game Translation and Localization is a program offered by the Universidad a distancia de Madrid (UDIMA) as part of an academic alliance with the Instituto Superior de Estudios Lingüísticos y Traducción (ISTRAD).

The object of the specialist diploma is to specialize students in the field of Video Game Translation and Localization according to the demand of the current professional and corporate world and the labor market. In order to achieve this, university professors as well as professionals in the field of Video Game Translation and Localization, with enterprise and leadership experience, will play a fundamental role in the students’ specialization by providing them direct guidance through academic sessions as well as the use of updated tools and materials that meet the demands of today’s labor market. In this way, ISTRAD seeks to provide students with the necessary skills to develop in the field of Video Game Translation and Localization, offer them a network of interpersonal and material support that we have built over the years and, ultimately, accompany them in their professional development within the sector.

The primary objectives of the Specialist Diploma in Video Game Translation and Localization are the following:

The program is essentially of a practical nature and carries a course load equivalent to 45 credits, with each credit representing 25 teaching hours.

The IX Specialist Diploma in Video Game Translation and Localization will offer Spanish (ES) as the only working language. Both the content and exercises for the different subjects will be written in this language. However, the language combination to complete tasks will always be English as the source language and Spanish (ES), Italian (IT), French (FR) or German (DE) as the target language.

Academic consults can take place in either Spanish (ES) or English (EN). The language for any administrative process related to the program can be German (DE), Spanish (ES), French (FR), English (EN) or Italian (IT).

We always recommend that students have a high level of knowledge in the source language and culture (EN), the equivalent of a C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), and a complete mastery of the target language and culture (Spanish, Italian, German, French or Italian), the equivalent of a C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). For this reason, it is ideal for applicants to choose their native language as their desired target language. If your native language is not included in this list, we recommend choosing the language you best express yourself in as your target language.

In order to complete the IX Specialist Diploma in Video Game Translation and Localization students must have access to a computer (with the Windows operating system, since that is the system compatible with the software and applications that will be used for coursework), a pair of headphones and a secure and stable Internet connection.

Students will be able to use free downloads of programs and/or demo versions available on the web.

Academic activity for the Specialist Diploma in Video Game Translation and Localization will be completed remotely (online).

Distance learning modality. Material for each module will be uploaded to the virtual platform by the faculty according to the schedule. These materials may be accompanied by virtual sessions in the form of webinars, the dates for which will be published throughout the course via the virtual calendar students will have access to.

Content and materials corresponding to the different modules and subjects will be sent according to the aforementioned schedule for studies, which students will receive during the enrollment process for the program. This schedule will also provide the deadlines for students to submit tasks and the dates corrections will be returned by the faculty.

There will also be a schedule for phone or electronic consultations with different teachers and advisors in order to resolve any doubts related to tasks and translations that students may have. Students can also use these consults to seek help regarding the different software programs and discuss the techniques used in each module and the corrections made to their work.

Studies will take place during the 2024-2025 academic year. Those who need more than the anticipated two semesters to finish their studies will find more information in section 19.

The following members make up the IX Specialist Diploma in Video Game Translation and Localization:

Academic Coordinator:

Ms. Laura María Fernández Ortega (ISTRAD)

Academic Committee:

(in alphabetical order by last name):

Dr. Marta Chapado Sánchez (ISTRAD)

Ms. Laura María Fernández Ortega (ISTRAD)

Ms. Inés Franco Fernández (ISTRAD)

Dr. Rocío Márquez Garrido (ISTRAD)

Dr. Cristina Ramírez Delgado (ISTRAD)

There will be three periods to complete registration:

1st registration period: 15 April to 10 May 2024

2nd registration period: 15 June to 10 July 2024

3rd registration period: 1 September to 30 September 2024

Those interested in the course can submit their registration form during any one of these registration periods at registration or directly at the offices of the Instituto Superior de Estudios Lingüísticos y Traducción (from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm / 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm from Monday through Thursday or Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm). Once the registration period is over, the students selected for the course will be notified via email and the necessary documentation for enrollment will be sent.

In order to complete the enrollment process for the IX Specialist Diploma in Video Game Translation and Localization, it is necessary:

Once students have been accepted and have enrolled in the course, they will receive an email with information regarding the academic advisors assigned to each module (belonging to the professional or academic sector of specialized translation and localization) who they can turn to for any question or problem related to their studies.

Additionally, both the academic coordinator and supporting academic staff will be available at ISTRAD for any consult (onsite, by phone or email) related to their professional work in translation or for anything related to their work outside the program. They can be contacted via the phone numbers and email addresses listed below.

Consultation times

The consultation times for the duration of the program Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm / 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm and Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm onsite at Instituto Superior de Estudios Lingüisticos y Traducción (ISTRAD) headquarters or by calling +34 954 61 98 04.

During this time, any issue can be addressed and any administrative or academic questions can be answered. Students can also contact us at the following email addresses at any time:

Direction and administration: direccion@institutotraduccion.com

Academic coordinator: coordinacion.lvj@institutotraduccion.com

Technical and IT assistance: mastecni@institutotraduccion.com

Consults: tutorias.lvj@institutotraduccion.com

Vacation periods:

Academic activity for the program will begin on 7 October 2024 and continue for the duration of the academic year.

There will be a course presentation on 4 October and, notwithstanding the possibility of holding it in person, it will be streamed on our social media.

The IX Specialist Diploma in Video Game Translation and Localization will consist of the following modules.

In the Final Boss module, corresponding to the final phase of the Specialist Diploma in Video Game Translation and Localization, students will complete the video game localization process step by step and all of the elements this entails. The video game and its elements have been exclusively created for ISTRAD and are of a practical nature and not for profit or sale.

Students will receive an international student ID card issued by ISTRAD-ISIC at no additional cost. This card will be valid from 1 October 2024 through 30 September 2025. You can consult the characteristics and advantages of this student ID here. During the month of October, students will receive instructions as to how to obtain this ID, which will be organized by ISTRAD.

Upon completing the program, the Academic Committee will award the following personalized documents:

Final diploma for the Specialist Diploma in Video Game Translation and Localization, issued by the Universidad a distancia de Madrid (UDIMA). This Specialist Diploma is not part of an officially recognized degree program in accordance with art 4.4 del Decreto 84/2004 del 13/Mayo de la CAM (Art. 4.4 of Decree 84/2004 of May 13 of the Community of Madrid).

2. Certificate of completion of the Specialist Diploma in Video Game Translation and Localization awarded by ISTRAD. The reverse side gives detailed information regarding the various modules studied.

3. Certificate and detailed report of the student’s performance in each of the modules studied. These certificates list the language combinations in which the modules were completed.

The protocol to issue this final documentation will begin once the final corrected assignment is received. Within 15 days, students will be contacted by ISTRAD administration to begin the process.

The total cost of the program —1098 euros— can be paid in a lump sum or in three installments distributed as follows:

This cost corresponds to:

If a banking or administrative error occurs when making a payment, either the initial payment or any of the following installments, students may request a refund at any time within ten days of making the payment. The payment will then be refunded without the need for any additional paperwork.

In the case of withdrawals, students can request the amount paid be applied to the next edition of the program in which they are enrolled or any other course offered by ISTRAD up to a month after making the payment and completing enrollment. This payment will be applied as the final installment in the new program the student is going to complete.

Those students who for work, professional or personal reasons require more than the planned two semesters to finish their studies will need to re-enroll and pay a fee corresponding to the remaining credits to complete the course as well as the virtual campus and administrative fees.

After the course begins, students will receive an email with information about the credit transfer and simultaneity options available for the studies offered by ISTRAD. If you are interested in receiving credit for previous studies completed at ISTRAD, you can consult this information.

Finally, we will cap this academic period with a Closing Ceremony, in which we will say goodbye to the students with a closing lecture led by a guest speaker in the world of translation, followed by celebratory hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail hour.

The sudents will be offered the possibility to participate in these end-of-the-year events (either in all three or any of their choosing) a few months ahead of time so that they can make any necessary travel plans. The participation of experts from all fields of translation in these events ensures an enriching and motivative experience for students, ofering them a clear and realistic view of the job market.

The Closing Ceremony will also be broadcast live on our social media accounts.