Why study translation?
Studying translation 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. The increase in international contacts means that more and more well-qualified translators are necessary. With a good qualification in translation you can get a share in a world-wide, multi-billion market.

Why in Swansea?
Swansea University is located in a medium-sized city at the seaside. The campus is directly along the shore. The university is big enough to offer an interesting set of options but at the same time small enough to offer a friendly atmosphere where people know each other. In 2005 it was awarded the title of “best student experience” by Times Higher Education Supplement. Since then, efforts to improve have continued.

The translation degrees are offered by the Department of Modern Languages, which is part of the School of Arts. A range of degrees is offered, which together create a stimulating atmosphere.

• In the BA Translation two languages are studied in addition to English. Languages offered in are French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and (for native speakers) Welsh. The programmes are also open to proficient non-native speakers of English.
• The MA Translation with Language Technology and the MA Literary Translation can be chosen with one or two language pairs. In addition to the languages taught in the BA, also Catalan and Chinese are offered.
• For professional translators, the Postgraduate Certificate in Translation Technology offers effective, affordable training in Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools.
• The expanding PhD programme in Translation has three main strands, concentrating on Translation Theory and History, Comparative Translation Analysis, and Translation and the Lexicon.

Staff at Swansea University have a variety of specializations ranging from modernist literature to legal language and from interpreting to machine translation. A clearly structured programme of dedicated modules gives you proficiency in foreign languages and specific translation skills. Also included in the programme are options in which you can develop additional competence according to your own interests.

The BA Translation is a four-year programme. It includes a year abroad spent at one of our partner institutions throughout Europe. These institutions are well-known translation schools or universities with special translation degrees. The MA programmes in translation consist of two parts. Part 1 is taught and leads to a certificate after one year. Part 2 is based on practical translation or research and can be completed in the summer following the completion of part 1. All programmes (BA, MA, PhD) can also be studied part-time, in which case they take twice as long.

For specific enquiries about any of the degrees, please follow the links to the coordinators for the BA Translation, MA Translation with Language Technology, MA Literary Translation, Postgraduate Certificate in Translation Technology, and PhD programme.