Modern Languages with Translation, BA (Hons)

This course is designed for individuals passionate about translation and interpreting careers, offering the opportunity to study one or two languages at degree level, such as French, German, Spanish, or Russian at post-A level, with options to add a beginner language like Mandarin, Portuguese, or Serbian/Croatian. It emphasizes practical skills through real-life translation projects, external collaborations, and a year abroad to enhance communication, confidence, and employability—ideally via work at a translation company or study at partner universities.The program requires 120 credits per year, including core translation modules and language studies tailored to your pathway: one post-A level language, two post-A level languages, or one post-A level plus a beginner. Years one and two focus on foundational concepts, while year four advances language proficiency with optional modules in literature, history, and an extended translation project. A foundation year is also available.

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.