Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting, BA (Hons)

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Study this Specialist Programme, Preparing you for a Language Career

Key Course Details

4 Year Full Time With a Year Abroad

UCAS Code: Q910
Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents): ABB-BBC
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2024	£ 9,000

4 Year Full Time With a Year Abroad

UCAS Code: Q910
Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer: ABB-BBC - More Information
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2024	£ 19,200

Course Overview

The demand for translators and interpreters is growing rapidly as more companies, institutions and people do business globally but expect to use services in their own language.

Our flexible and specialist Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting degree will provide you with excellent language skills in either one or two modern languages (French, German and Spanish), as well as theoretical, vocational and practical translation and interpreting skills.

An integrated year abroad studying in one of our partner institutions, enables you to hone your language and intercultural awareness, essential to translation and interpreting and provides not only an exciting and rewarding student experience but also a valuable skillset for your CV and future career or further study.

Why Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting at Swansea?

Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula:

You will be taught by research experts who specialise in translation and interpreting and also computer-assisted translation.
You will have translation work experience, including lectures by industry professionals presenting translation project workflow and organisation of the translation business, project management software, and job application procedures.
You will have a dedicated personal tutor who will provide you with any support you may need.
You will have access to PC labs equipped with the latest industry translation software, a new Televic conference and interpreting suite as well as excellent library resources.
You will be able to join our French, German and Spanish Student Societies for weekly social events including ‘Raclette Night’, film screenings, pub quizzes and more!

Modern Languages at Swansea is ranked:

Top 10 in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2024)
301-340 (QS World University Rankings 2023)

Your Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting Experience

You will receive practical and in-depth language tuition in one or two languages. You will also gain translation specific skills in areas such as computer-assisted translation, dialogue interpreting as well as professional interpreting for commerce, governance, health or law.

Our core languages (French, German and Spanish) can be studied in the following combinations:

2 advanced languages: suitable for students with an A-level or equivalent qualification / experience in both languages
1 advanced language and one beginners language: suitable for students with an A-level in a single language who wish to continue with that language and add a second language to their skillset
1 advanced language: suitable for students with an A-level or equivalent qualification / experience who wish to focus exclusively on one language
1 beginners language: suitable for students who may not have had the chance to study a language post-GCSE and/or more advanced students wishing to consolidate their existing knowledge.

As a recognised Higher Education partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists https://www.ciol.org.uk/Higher-Education-Partners our curriculum meets standards set by professional translation bodies

On completion of this four-year programme, you will have a critical understanding of translation and interpreting in different specialist areas and context, as well as a high level of proficiency in your selected languages.

This programme is also open to native speakers of our core languages. Depending on their future career aspirations, native speakers can learn a second or third language as per the combinations listed above. Some students may also wish to study their first language as part of this programme with a view to becoming a professional interpreter or translator in their country of origin upon completion of their studies.

Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting Employment Opportunities

Whilst this programme offers a clear vocational path into a career in translation and interpreting, it also opens doors to numerous career opportunities both in the UK and further afield.

Our graduates have careers in:

Translation and interpreting
Advertising and Marketing
Management Consultancy and Business Analysis
Education
Journalism, media and public relations
Government, politics and humanitarian organisations
Business and commerce
Public services

Prospectus (see below) says:

Business and Legal Organisations
Government and Politics
International Sales and Marketing Recruitment
Interpreting
Translation

Modern Languages

Modules

See list of modules below:

Year 1 (Level 4)

FHEQ 4 Undergraduate / HECert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Concepts in Translation and Interpreting	September-January	20	MLT100
Grammar and Meaning in Translation and Interpreting	January-June	20	MLT101

Optional Modules

TWO LANGUAGES PATHWAY - LANGUAGE MODULES

Choose Exactly 80 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students take language modules at the appropriate level (2 languages, 40 credits in each language). Choose English-medium or Welsh-medium modules as appropriate. Students must not choose two Beginner level languages

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
French for Beginners I	September-January	20	MLF101
French Language 1A	September-January	20	MLF160A
Iaith Ffrangeg 1A	September-January	20	MLF160AW
German for Beginners I	September-January	20	MLG108
German Language 1A	September-January	20	MLG160A
Spanish for Beginners I	September-January	20	MLS130
Sbaeneg I Ddechreuwyr I (Spanish for Beginners I - Welsh Medium)	September-January	20	MLS130W
Spanish Language 1A	September-January	20	MLS160A
Iaith Sbaeneg 1A	September-January	20	MLS160AW
French for Beginners II	January-June	20	MLF102
French Language 1B	January-June	20	MLF160B
Iaith Ffrangeg 1B	January-June	20	MLF160BW
German for Beginners II	January-June	20	MLG109
German Language 1B	January-June	20	MLG160B
Spanish for Beginners II	January-June	20	MLS131
Sbaeneg I Ddechreuwyr II (Spanish for Beginners II - Welsh Medium)	January-June	20	MLS131W
Spanish Language 1B	January-June	20	MLS160B
Iaith Sbaeneg 1B	January-June	20	MLS160BW

ONE LANGUAGE PATHWAY - LANGUAGE MODULES

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : You may only select from this pathway if you have a native language which is not English. Students take language modules at the appropriate level (1 language, 40 credits) in the non-native language. Choose English-medium or Welsh-medium modules as appropriate. Select 40 credits in your non native language at the appropriate level.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
French for Beginners I	September-January	20	MLF101
French Language 1A	September-January	20	MLF160A
Iaith Ffrangeg 1A	September-January	20	MLF160AW
German for Beginners I	September-January	20	MLG108
German Language 1A	September-January	20	MLG160A
Spanish for Beginners I	September-January	20	MLS130
Sbaeneg I Ddechreuwyr I (Spanish for Beginners I - Welsh Medium)	September-January	20	MLS130W
Spanish Language 1A	September-January	20	MLS160A
Iaith Sbaeneg 1A	September-January	20	MLS160AW
French for Beginners II	January-June	20	MLF102
French Language 1B	January-June	20	MLF160B
Iaith Ffrangeg 1B	January-June	20	MLF160BW
German for Beginners II	January-June	20	MLG109
German Language 1B	January-June	20	MLG160B
Spanish for Beginners II	January-June	20	MLS131
Sbaeneg I Ddechreuwyr II (Spanish for Beginners II - Welsh Medium)	January-June	20	MLS131W
Spanish Language 1B	January-June	20	MLS160B
Iaith Sbaeneg 1B	January-June	20	MLS160BW

AND

OPTIONAL MODULES

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select 40 credits across both teaching blocks, 20 cr. in TB1 and 20 cr. in TB2.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
A History of the English Language	September-January	20	ALE116
The sound system of English	September-January	20	ALE121
Europe of Extremes, 1789-1989	September-January	20	HIH121
Modern Languages - Introduction to Language Teaching	September-January	20	ML-150
Italian for Starters	September-January	20	MLI133
Language Teaching Methodology	January-June	20	ALE108
Cinema in a World Context	January-June	20	ML-106

Year 2 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Introduction to the Theory of Translation	September-January	10	MLT201
Computer-Assisted Translation	September-January	10	MLT202
Dialogue Interpreting	January-June	20	MLT207

Optional Modules

TWO LANGUAGES PATHWAY - LANGUAGE MODULES

Choose Exactly 80 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students take language modules at the appropriate level (2 languages, 40 credits in each language). Students must not choose two Intermediate level languages.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
French Language 2A	September-January	20	MLF260A
Intermediate French Language 2A	September-January	20	MLF270A
Iaith Ffrangeg Canolradd 2A	September-January	20	MLF270AW
German Language 2A	September-January	20	MLG260A
Intermediate German Language 2A	September-January	20	MLG270A
Spanish Language 2A	September-January	20	MLS260A
Intermediate Spanish Language A	September-January	20	MLS270A
French Translation Workshop 2	January-June	10	MLF210
Gweithdy Cyfieithu	January-June	10	MLF210W
French Language 2B	January-June	10	MLF260B
Intermediate French Language 2B	January-June	20	MLF270B
Iaith Ffrangeg Canolradd 2B	January-June	20	MLF270BW
German Translation Workshop 2	January-June	10	MLG210
German Language 2B	January-June	10	MLG260B
Intermediate German Language 2B	January-June	20	MLG270B
Spanish Translation Workshop 2	January-June	10	MLS210
Spanish Language 2B	January-June	10	MLS260B
Intermediate Spanish Language B	January-June	20	MLS270B

ONE LANGUAGE (NATIVE PATHWAY)

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : You may only select from this pathway if your native language is not English. Students take language modules at the appropriate level (1 language, 40 credits) in the non-native language.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
French Language 2A	September-January	20	MLF260A
Intermediate French Language 2A	September-January	20	MLF270A
Intermediate German Language 2A	September-January	20	MLG270A
Spanish Language 2A	September-January	20	MLS260A
Intermediate Spanish Language A	September-January	20	MLS270A
French Translation Workshop 2	January-June	10	MLF210
Gweithdy Cyfieithu	January-June	10	MLF210W
French Language 2B	January-June	10	MLF260B
Intermediate French Language 2B	January-June	20	MLF270B
German Translation Workshop 2	January-June	10	MLG210
Intermediate German Language 2B	January-June	20	MLG270B
Spanish Translation Workshop 2	January-June	10	MLS210
Spanish Language 2B	January-June	10	MLS260B
Intermediate Spanish Language B	January-June	20	MLS270B

AND

OPTIONAL MODULES

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select 20 credits in each teaching block • ML-250 is placement-based – DBS required. • ALE200 Language Teaching in Context has prerequisite of ALE108 Language Teaching Methodology. • ALE218 Discourse Analysis has prerequisite of ALE121 The sound system of English. • MLI233 cannot be taken if you have studied MLI133 Italian for Starters in Year 1. • ML-206 Cinema in a World Context cannot be taken if you have studied ML-106 Cinema in a World Context in Year 1.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Language Teaching in Context	September-January	20	ALE200
Paris	September-January	20	MLF220
Vienna Underground: Subterranean Views of a Twentieth-Century City	September-January	20	MLG202
Italian for Starters	September-January	20	MLI233
Barcelona/Buenos Aires	September-January	20	MLS208
Discourse Analysis	January-June	20	ALE218
World Englishes	January-June	20	ALE231
Cinema in a World Context	January-June	20	ML-206
Teaching Modern Foreign Languages to Young Learners 2	January-June	20	ML-250
Catalan for Starters	January-June	20	MLC233

Year 3 (Level 5S)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate Sandwich Year

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 120 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : This module is compulsory for all students pursuing a degree involving a foreign language. It gives students the opportunity to increase their language skills and familiarize themselves with other culture(s).

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Year Abroad (Languages/Translation)	September-June	120	ML-R00

Year 4 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Simulated Translation Bureau	September-June	20	MLT317
Interpreting - Local Government Option	September-January	20	MLT330
Terminology Management	January-June	20	MLT318

Optional Modules

TWO LANGUAGE PATHWAY (Advanced/ Beginners)

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students select Translation Workshop (2 x 10 credits) and Professional Purposes (2 x 10 credits) modules in each language.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
French Translation Workshop 3	September-January	10	MLF310
Translation Workshop (German/English)	September-January	10	MLG310C
Translation Workshop (Spanish into English)	September-January	10	MLS310C
French for Professional Purposes 3	January-June	10	MLF300
German for Professional Purposes 3	January-June	10	MLG350
Spanish for Professional Purposes 3	January-June	10	MLS304

AND

Optional Module Choices

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : • ML-308 is placement-based – DBS might be required depending on the placement. • ALE316 Language in the Media has prerequisite of ALE218 Discourse Analysis. • MLC333 cannot be taken if you have studied MLC233 Catalan for Starters in Year 2.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Language in the Media	September-January	20	ALE316
Language Policy and Planning	September-January	20	ALE322
Teaching tools and materials - Design, evaluation and practice.	September-January	20	ML-308
France and the Second World War: Legacies of the Dark Years	September-January	20	MLF325
Ffrainc a'r Ail Ryfel Byd: Hanes yr Oesoedd Tywyll	September-January	20	MLF325W
French General Language 3A	September-January	10	MLF330A
German General Language 3A	September-January	10	MLG301A
Vienna Underground: Subterranean Views of a Twentieth-Century City	September-January	20	MLG302
Spanish General Language 3A	September-January	10	MLS300A
Narrating Crises in the Spanish-Speaking World	September-January	20	MLS311
Catalan for Starters	January-June	20	MLC333
Intersectional Identities in Contemporary French Cinema	January-June	20	MLF305
French General Language 3B	January-June	10	MLF330B
German General Language 3B	January-June	10	MLG301B
Spanish General Language 3B	January-June	10	MLS300B

ONE LANGUAGE PATHWAY

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students select one Translation Workshop and one Professional Purposes modules. Choose English-medium or Welsh-medium modules as appropriate.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
French Translation Workshop 3	September-January	10	MLF310
Translation Workshop (German/English)	September-January	10	MLG310C
Translation Workshop (Spanish into English)	September-January	10	MLS310C
French for Professional Purposes 3	January-June	10	MLF300
German for Professional Purposes 3	January-June	10	MLG350
Spanish for Professional Purposes 3	January-June	10	MLS304

AND

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students take 40 credits, preferably 20 credits each semester or 30/10 (10/30) credits imbalance. Notes: • ML-308 is placement-based – DBS might be required depending on the placement. • ALE316 Language in the Media has prerequisite of ALE218 Discourse Analysis. • MLC333 cannot be taken if you have studied MLC233 Catalan for Starters in Year 2.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Language in the Media	September-January	20	ALE316
Language Policy and Planning	September-January	20	ALE322
Teaching tools and materials - Design, evaluation and practice.	September-January	20	ML-308
France and the Second World War: Legacies of the Dark Years	September-January	20	MLF325
Ffrainc a'r Ail Ryfel Byd: Hanes yr Oesoedd Tywyll	September-January	20	MLF325W
French General Language 3A	September-January	10	MLF330A
German General Language 3A	September-January	10	MLG301A
Vienna Underground: Subterranean Views of a Twentieth-Century City	September-January	20	MLG302
Spanish General Language 3A	September-January	10	MLS300A
Narrating Crises in the Spanish-Speaking World	September-January	20	MLS311
Catalan for Starters	January-June	20	MLC333
Intersectional Identities in Contemporary French Cinema	January-June	20	MLF305
French General Language 3B	January-June	10	MLF330B
German General Language 3B	January-June	10	MLG301B
Spanish General Language 3B	January-June	10	MLS300B

Entry Requirements

Our standard entry requirement is ABB-BBC (UCAS tariff points 112-128). A GCSE at minimum grade C (4) in a modern foreign language is preferable but not essential.

All offers are made following a review of the application form, predicted/achieved grades and subjects, the reference and personal statement. We will always take a holistic view of all applicants and consider not just their academic merit but also their wider achievements, circumstances, and potential.

We also accept a range of advanced level qualifications including: International Baccalaureate 32; Welsh Baccalaureate - grade equivalent to A-level; Access to Higher Education and Open University qualifications, and Extended Project.

Here are the requirements for International students.

For applicants whose first language is not English, we require IELTS 6.0 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English test.

How You're Taught

We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students.

Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching.

Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study.

This course may offer some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.

Welsh Provision

At least 80 credits

You can study 80 credits or more of this course through the medium of Welsh. Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
Access to modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh.
Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

To learn more about the above and all the opportunities available to you through the medium of Welsh, visit Academi Hywel Teifi's undergraduate pages.

If you aim to study at least 80 credits in Welsh, prospective students (for 2024-25) can apply for the Coleg Cymraeg Main Scholarship (£1000 per year for 3 years).

Meet Your Lecturers

Our degrees are taught by experts, who have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to our students.

You can find out more about our academic expertise on our staff pages.

Tuition Fees

Start Date	UK	International
September 2023	£ 9,000	£ 18,300
September 2024	£ 9,000	£ 19,200

Fees for full time Undergraduate UK students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government.

During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, year abroad or placement year) a lower fee will apply. For more information visit our tuition fees page.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding
Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages. Enrolment on a programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement, you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme without a semester or year abroad.

International summer programmes are open to students from all schools. Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as China, Zambia, South Korea, Japan, Canada and across Europe. For more information about programmes and eligibility visit our Summer Abroad webpages.

How to Apply

Apply now – UK, EU and international students.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Additional Information

Make an undergraduate enquiry

International students contact our International Team