BA (Hons) TRANSLATION, MEDIA AND MODERN LANGUAGE (WITH A YEAR ABROAD)

Break down barriers of language and culture with a combination of advanced language studies and training in translation and media. 

This distinctive and flexible course reflects the global need for skilled language and media professionals. You’ll study your chosen language to degree level, as well as choosing from a range of specialist modules in translation, media, culture, and society. You’ll explore the theory and technique of translating, and questions of style and register in a range of media and genres. You’ll also explore questions of policy, ethics and power in the translation industry and have the chance to gain exposure to how professional translators work by undertaking translation work experience. 

You’ll discover new perspectives by exploring media, intercultural communication, translation and other applied language study which will help you be effective in the communication networks of today’s globalised world. 

You’ll spend your third year in a country where your degree language is spoken. You’ll enhance your studies and boost your employability by studying or working abroad. This will be an opportunity to develop intercultural awareness, resourcefulness and flexibility along with your language skills. It’s also a great way to demonstrate your resilience, confidence, and ability to thrive in an international setting to future employers. During this year you’ll deepen your experience of the language and culture by either studying at a local university, taking up a teaching assistantship or going on a suitable work placement. If you are studying Japanese, you will attend one of our partner universities in Japan. 

We have exchange links with many universities in France and Spain, as well as links with universities in Japan, Canada and Latin America. 

About

This course combines degree level learning of French, Spanish or Japanese language with the study of translation issues and media in today’s fast-changing world. 

You’ll cover the theory and technique of translating, and questions of style and register in a range of specialised areas. You’ll also deal with issues associated with globalisation by looking at various translation types. These include the transposition of text between languages, media and genres. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience professional translation first hand by taking an optional work placement module. 

Placement Year and Study Abroad

The year abroad is a compulsory element of our four-year language degrees. 

You’ll enhance your studies and boost your employability by studying abroad in a country where your chosen language is spoken. This will be an opportunity to develop intercultural awareness, resourcefulness and flexibility along with your language skills. 

If you’re studying French or Spanish, you’ll have the option of taking up a teaching assistantship in Europe or a work placement, of doing voluntary work in an NGO, or of studying at one of our many partner universities. If you’re studying French you’ll also have the opportunity to apply to attend the prestigious Faculté de Traduction et d’Interprétation in Geneva or the Institut de Management et de Communication Interculturels (ISIT) in Paris. 

If you’re studying Japanese you’ll spend your time abroad studying at one of our Japanese partner universities. 

For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.

After the Course

You’ll graduate prepared for a whole host of career sectors, both in the UK and abroad. These include tourism, hospitality and leisure, human resources, marketing, sales, business, international banking, media, the civil service, local government and administration, teaching and education, translation and interpretation, international trade and business, journalism, arts administration, customer services. 

Alternatively, you could continue your studies with a Master’s degree such as our MA in Global Intercultural Communication, MA in Applied Translation Studies, or perhaps an MBA. Our Careers Service run an annual Arts and Humanities events programme. This includes alumni-led presentations and workshops across a range of sectors, including charities, politics and government, writing and communications, and museums and heritage. You’ll also benefit from our annual Careers Using Languages Fair, where we showcase the range of opportunities available to you. This is a great chance to meet employers and to hear alumni speak about their career paths since graduating. 

Career destinations

Examples of careers you could enter include: 

• Sales and marketing 

• Business and finance 

• Information technology and telecommunications 

• Media 

• Teaching and education 

• Translation and Interpreting