How Is the Cost of Translating a Master’s Thesis Determined?

— A Professional Guide from Elite Translation

With the increasing need for international academic communication, more and more graduate students are choosing to have their master’s theses translated into English or other languages—whether for journal submission, doctoral program applications, academic review, or official documentation.

Naturally, many ask:
“How much does it cost to translate a master’s thesis?”
While the question is simple, the answer depends on several key factors. At Elite Translation, we believe that understanding the value behind academic translation is just as important as understanding its cost.

1. Why Thesis Translation Requires More Than Just Language Skills

Unlike general text translation, a master’s thesis is:

• Highly specialized, with domain-specific terminology

• Logically structured, following strict academic formatting standards

• Formally written, requiring a precise academic tone

• Submitted for official or scholarly use, where accuracy is critical

In this context, translating a thesis is not just about converting words—it’s about conveying the author’s research, methodology, and intellectual contribution faithfully and professionally.

2. Key Factors That Influence Pricing

At Elite Translation, we evaluate each thesis project based on a combination of factors, including:

▪ Subject Matter and Technical Complexity

Different disciplines present different challenges:

• Humanities may require nuanced, polished language

• STEM fields involve technical terminology, equations, and structured data

• Medical or legal theses demand rigorous accuracy and domain knowledge

The deeper the specialization, the more qualified the translator must be.

▪ Total Word Count / Scope

Most master’s theses range between 10,000 and 30,000 words. The longer the text, the greater the workload. Additional sections like references, footnotes, and appendices may or may not be included depending on your needs.

▪ Need for Editing or Proofreading

For theses intended for publication or formal submission, many clients request bilingual editing or native-language polishing in addition to translation. These services improve grammar, fluency, and academic tone, and are priced separately based on scope.

▪ Target Language

Chinese–English is a common language pair, but translating into other languages (such as German, French, Japanese, etc.) may involve less common resources, which can influence pricing.

▪ Turnaround Time

Standard turnaround for thesis translation ranges from several days to two weeks, depending on complexity. Urgent deadlines can be accommodated but may require a customized workflow.

3. What Makes Elite Translation the Right Choice?

We understand that your thesis is the result of years of academic effort. That’s why Elite Translation offers:

◀️：How Much Does Human English Translation Cost Per 1,000 Words?

▶️：How is the cost of translating a master’s thesis calculated?