Modern Languages with Translation, BA (Hons)

Course summary

Do you have a passion for translation? Are you looking for a career in translation or interpreting?This course offers you the opportunity to study one or two languages to degree level and gain practical experience in translation and interpreting. Study one language from post A level and opt to add another either as post A level or beginner. This course has a strong vocational focus and provides insights into practical and technical translation and interpreting. We model our translation assignments on real-life situations and you will complete at least one translation project for an external organisation.The exciting opportunity of the year abroad develops your communication skills, builds your confidence and helps you stand out to future employers. You can teach English in a school or study at one of our partner universities. However, we encourage you to work for a translation company to further develop your practical translation skills.We offer the following language options:

• Study one language post-A level: French, German, Spanish or Russian

• Study two languages post-A level: French, German, Mandarin, Spanish or Russian

• Post-A level language: French, German, Spanish or Russian

• Beginners': French, German, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese or Serbian/Croatian

In year one you will take 120 credits worth of modules, 40 credits of which will be core translation modules. These will focus on introducing key concepts in translation and interpreting as well as language and linguistics. You must take these modules in (one of) your post-A level language(s). Your remaining 80 credits are split as follows: Pathway 1 (One post-A level language): you will take 20 credits of core language modules, 20 credits of core introductory subject-specific modules, and an additional 40 credits of optional modules in the appropriate subject area. Pathway 2 (Two post-A levell languages): you will take 20 credits of core language modules and 20 credits of core introductory modules in each of your chosen languages subject areas. Pathway 3 (One post-A levell and one beginners' language): you will take 20 credits of core language modules and 20 credits of core introductory modules in your post-A levellanguage, and 40 credits of core language modules in your beginners' language. As with year one, in year two you will take 120 credits worth of modules, 40 credits of which will be core translation modules. You must take these modules in (one of) your post-A level language(s). Your remaining 80 credits are split as follows: Pathway 1: you will take 20 credits of core language modules and an additional 60 credits of optional modules in the appropriate subject area. Pathway 2: you will take 20 credits of core language modules and 20 credits of optional modules in each of your chosen languages subject areas. Pathway 3: you will take 20 credits of core language modules and 20 credits of optional modules in your post-A level and beginners' language. Your third academic year is spent abroad. You will divide your time between countries where your chosen language(s) are spoken. Depending on where your placement is, you could study at one of our exchange universities, teach on the British Council assistantship programme, or undertake a work placement with a company. We encourage our students to work at a translation company wherever possible to build up relevant experience and skills for a future career in translation. In year four you will develop command of your languages and their use in increasingly sophisticated contexts, and study optional modules drawn from the areas of literature, history, politics, society, media and linguistics. You will also take a core module in interpreting and carry out an extended translation project. If you have followed a beginners' language programme, you may opt to focus on this language instead of your post-A level/IB language for some or all of the practical translation tasks. This course is also available with a foundation year.