Modern Languages with Translation BA Hons

Program Overview

The Modern Languages with Translation BA/Module Details program at the University of Nottingham allows students to study one or two languages while gaining practical experience in translation and interpreting. Through a year abroad, students develop communication skills and stand out to employers. Graduates possess transferable skills such as confident communication, attention to detail, and cross-cultural competence, making them highly sought after in various industries.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Modern Languages with Translation BA/Module Details program at the University of Nottingham offers a unique 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. The exciting experience 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.

Outline:

Year One

• Core modules:
• Introduction to Translating and Interpreting Studies
• Exploring Language and Linguistics
• Language Meaning, Variation and Change
• Modules in your chosen language(s):
• French – French 1, Introduction to French and Francophone Studies, France: History and Identity, Introduction to French Literature: Representations of Paris, Contemporary France
• German – German 1, Introduction to German Studies and four optional German modules
• Spanish – Spanish 1, Portuguese 1 – Beginners, Literature in Spanish
• Russian – Russian 1 and three optional Russian/Slavonic modules

Year Two

• Core modules:
• Translation Portfolio
• Contemporary Translation Studies
• Modules in your chosen language(s):
• French – French 2 and sixty credits of optional French modules
• German – German 2 and twenty credits of optional German modules
• Spanish – Spanish 2 and sixty credits of optional Hispanic Studies modules
• Russian – Russian 2 and twenty credits of optional Russian/Serbian/Croatian modules

Year Three

• You will divide your time between countries where your chosen language(s) are spoken.
Depending on where your placement is, you could:
• undertake a work placement with a company.

Year Four

• Core modules:
• Translation Project
• Introduction to Interpreting
• Modules in your chosen language(s):
• French – French 3 and 20 credits of optional modules
• German – German 3 and 20 credits of optional modules
• Spanish – Spanish 3 and 20 credits of optional modules
• Russian – Russian 3 and 20 credits of optional module

Assessment:

You will be assessed by a wide variety of methods, consisting mainly of coursework and exams, but you may also be tasked with commentaries, dissertations, group work, in-class tests, portfolios and presentations. Each module has its own methods of assessment and we strive to make these as varied as possible so that everyone can perform to the best of their abilities. When choosing optional modules, you will be able to see how the module is assessed in advance.

Teaching:

As well as scheduled teaching you’ll carry out extensive self-study such as preparation for seminars and assessments, as well as language practice. As a guide 20 credits (a typical module) is approximately 200 hours of work (combined teaching and self-study). An average week will have between 12 to 15 hours of classes. Much of the language teaching you will experience on this degree will be led by native speakers.

Careers:

Studying languages can open up a world of opportunities. From banking to charities and from teaching to MI5, businesses and organisations across the globe seek to employ language specialists. During this degree you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of modules, allowing you to tailor your studies around personal interests. In doing so you’ll start to identify potential career paths and begin to discover your areas of professional interest. In addition to language skills, you’ll develop transferable skills highly sought after by employers such as confident communication skills, strict attention to detail and the ability to work within different cultures and organisational styles. Combining language studies with translation studies develops your practical skills in addition to a portfolio of work which will be invaluable when seeking employment.

Other:

• The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

Tuition fees and costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. Books You'll be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to buy your own copies of core texts. A limited number of modules have compulsory texts which you are required to buy. We recommend that you budget £100 per year for books, but this figure will vary according to which modules you take. The Blackwell's bookshop on campus offers a year-round price match against any of the main retailers (e.g. Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smith). They also offer second-hand books, as students from previous years sell their copies back to the bookshop. Year Abroad - Reduced fees (subject to change) As a year abroad student, you will pay reduced fees. For students spending their year abroad in 2023 this was set at: Home/EU students: £1,385 International: 50% of the relevant international fee Costs incurred during the year abroad These vary from country to country, but always include: travel accommodation subsistence insurance Depending on the country visited you may also have to pay for: visa vaccinations self-funded language courses additional administration fees and study supplies in the host country or organisation There are a number of sources of funding: Student Finance Loan Means-tested travel grant University of Nottingham bursaries and scholarships Your access to funding depends on: the course you are taking your residency status where you live in term time your household income You may be able to work or teach during your year abroad. This will be dependent on your course and country-specific regulations. Often students receive a small salary or stipend for these work placements. More information on your third year abroad. Volunteering and placements: For volunteering and placements e.g. work experience and teaching in schools, you will need to pay for transport and refreshments. Optional field trips: Field trips allow you to engage with source materials on a personal level and to develop different perspectives. They are optional and costs to you vary according to the trip; some require you to arrange your own travel, refreshments and entry fees, while some are wholly subsidised. Scholarships and bursaries Faculty of Arts Alumni Scholarships These scholarships provide eligible students with financial contributions toward essential living costs. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply. International Students We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers