Ute Keller Modern Languages and Translation

The global demand for translation services is growing rapidly as companies, institutions, and people around the world increasingly expect to buy goods and use services localised into their own language.

Translators work in a wide variety of environments. They can be home-based freelancers, in-house translators with established agencies, or work in the translation departments of large companies or organisations, such as the European Union with its 23 official languages.

The increase in international contacts means that more and more well-qualified translators are necessary. Translation Studies at Swansea University gives you the opportunity to work intensively with languages. You will not only acquire a high level of knowledge in foreign languages, but also refine the command of your native language. This gives you access to foreign cultures through the communication with people representing these cultures themselves. Translation also offers excellent job perspectives. With a good qualification in translation you can get a share in a world-wide, multi-billion market.

Our academic staff have a variety of specialisations ranging from modernist literature to legal language and from interpreting to machine translation and they are actively involved in theArts and Humanities Language Research Centre (LRC) which focusses on Literary Translation, Language Technology, Community Interpreting and Second Language Acquisition and Multilingualism. The Centre promotes research through collaborative work, research seminars, informal reading groups, conferences, publications and also informs and enhances our teaching.

Swansea offers the BA in Translation, the MA in Literary Translation, the MA in Chinese-English Translation and Language Teaching, the MA in Translation and Interpreting, the MA in Translation with Language Technology and Postgraduate research degrees (PhD). 

Languages, Translation and Media Research Expertise

We offer Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees which are intellectually wide-ranging, stimulating and demanding. A clearly structured programme of dedicated modules gives you proficiency in foreign languages and specific translation skills. Also included in the programmes are options in which you can develop additional competence according to your own interests.

As a Translation Studies student at Swansea, you will benefit from our facilities, including our labs where you can access a vast range of foreign language channels and our collection of foreign language films housed in the library. You will also have plenty of opportunity to participate in cultural events specific to the countries of the languages you are studying and to meet native speakers through our student societies. Our students study in a warm and friendly atmosphere and have the opportunity to interact with lecturers, visiting Faculty and co-students.

As a translator, you can work freelance or in an agency. You can also start an agency yourself. Many translators are employed by multinational companies and international orgnisations (EU, UNO etc.).  The translation of literary works is a niche market, in which dedicated degrees will increase your career possibilities significantly.

For further information, please email: ahadmissions@swansea.ac.uk

Swansea University Undergraduate  and Postgraduate open day information.

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