Why study this course?
A globalised world has warranted a growing trend in the need for translators. The Translation BA degree will engage you with all aspects of technical translation as well as some aspects of literary translation, focussing on practical work and the professional skills needed for a successful career in translation.
The More about this course
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Linguistics (CIOL), this vocational degree provides excellent grounding in language, culture mediation, and translation theory and practice. Enjoy the opportunity to translate multimedia texts such as advertisements, comic strips, songs and films, as well as documents from specialist areas including finance, law, IT and medicine.
We’ll equip you with the transferable professional skills required in the translation industry and give you an in-depth knowledge of translation theories, methods and procedures. You’ll also study interpreting skills and learn about the various techniques used in liaison interpreting within business settings.
As part of the degree you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a work placement where you can benefit from our links with the EU Directorate General for Translation, Moscow State University, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, the British Council and the United Nations.
This Translation BA course offers English language combined with French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Polish or Russian. You must be fluent or proficient in both English and your chosen language.
In particular cases, there may be the possibility to learn a further foreign language outside your translation pair.
We also organise an extensive programme of industry speakers, professional translators, interpreters and IT specialists.
The translation technology software that we use on our courses include:
- SDL Trados Studio
- SDL MultiTerm
- Wordfast Anywhere
- Crowdin – Localization Management Platform
- Memsource – The Translation Platform
bachelor’s degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and the Institute of Language Educational Trust (IoLET)
Professional accreditation
The Translation BA degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and the Institute of Language Educational Trust (IoLET), an internationally recognised professional body that awards exemptions from Unit 1 (Written Translation of a General Text) of the Level 7 Diploma in Translation.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
Cultural Awareness (core, 15 credits)
Describing Language (core, 15 credits)
Language Module (Arabic, French, Spanish or English) (core, 15 credits)
Language Module (Arabic, French, Spanish or English) (core, 15 credits)
Practical Resources for Translators (core, 15 credits)
Proofreading Skills (core, 15 credits)
The Translator and Culture (core, 15 credits)
The Translator and Language (core, 15 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
Electronic Tools for Translation (core, 15 credits)
Managing Translation (core, 15 credits)
Practical Translation Skills (core, 15 credits)
Translating Text and Culture 1 (core, 15 credits)
Translating Text and Culture 2 (core, 15 credits)
Translation Process and Procedures (core, 15 credits)
Language Module (Arabic, French, Spanish or English) (alternative core, 15 credits)
Language Module (Arabic, French, Spanish or English) (alternative core, 15 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
Researching the Translator’s Professional Environment (core, 15 credits)
The Translator and Specialisation (core, 15 credits)
Theoretical Aspects of Translation (core, 15 credits)
Translation Project (core, 30 credits)
Work Placement (core, 15 credits)
Interpreting Skills (option, 15 credits)
Language Module (Arabic, French, Spanish or English) (option, 15 credits)
Language Module (Arabic, French, Spanish or English) (option, 15 credits)
Translation Dissertation (option, 15 credits)
Where this course can take you
This degree prepares you for career opportunities in translation agencies, national and international governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the European Union, the United Nations, banks and multinational corporations as well as language service providers in general. Many of our graduates work as freelance translators or in an academic setting teaching foreign languages.
The course programme also provides excellent preparation for postgraduate study in specialised translation, interpreting or any other language related area.
