British language translation

OverviewProgramme contentEmployabilityEntry requirementsFees & scholarships

Overview

Applied Languages and Translating (ALT) and Languages Interpreting and Translating (LINT) follow the same programme for the first three years. In both degrees two foreign or signed languages are studied to degree level. A compulsory placement year is spent abroad at two partner institutions, or for British Sign Language (BSL) students, an in-work placement in the UK signing community for one of the two semesters. Students with only one language at post-Higher/A-Level follow an accelerated intensive language course during Year 1 and join the mainstream language courses from Year 2. The degrees focus on practical language skills, communication studies, European studies and linguistics/ translation studies.

Students with only one language at post-Higher/A-Level follow an accelerated intensive language course during Level 1 and join the mainstream language courses from Level 2.

Programme content

Students take two courses in each of their languages (including translation, spoken/signed classes, aural/BSL comprehension and writing in the foreign language/BSL production); a Modern History and Culture course; a linguistics course and two optional courses. BSL students and those students doing an intensive course in their second language do not take the optional courses.

Learning and teaching

• Scheduled learning: 25%
• Independent study: 75%

Assessment

• Practical: 0%
• Coursework: 69%

Language studies in each language (including Translation, Liaison and Conference Interpreting); Society and Institutions in Contemporary Europe; Linguistics and an additional optional subject throughout the year. BSL students undertake further language sessions instead of optional subjects.

• Coursework: 77%

Students complete two five-month placements, one per language studied, in countries where foreign languages are spoken (France, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Mexico), following courses in university departments of Interpreting and Translating, or, for BSL undertake work-placements within the UK signing community in one of the two semesters (NB the work-placement is self-financed).

• Scheduled learning: 0%
• Independent study: 0%
• Placement: 100%

• Coursework: 100%

Students study courses in either Applied Linguistics or European Political and Economic Integration. Translation Practice and Spoken/Signing Practice are taken as well as courses in Translation Theory and European Studies.

• Coursework: 86%

Work and study

This is what our MA (Hons)Applied Languages and Translating (Spanish/British Sign Language) students are doing six months after graduating:

• 75% are working
• 25% are studying
• 0% are working and studying.

Managerial/professional position

• 80% of those working are in a professional/managerial position six months after graduating.

Salary

• The average salary of students six months after graduating: £18000
• The average UK salary of students six months after graduating from a similar programme: £17000