Modern Languages with Translation

A BA Modern Languages with Translation degree at the University of Birmingham will equip you with a solid foundation of core translation skills and immersive language-learning.

With this intercultural degree, you'll gain competency in translation, preparing you to work in a number of sectors, from business and marketing to interpreting and teaching. Our BA degree is flexible, meaning you'll be able to learn the languages that interest you alongside core modules in translation. You can study one or two languages. Your first language must be Advanced: French, German, Italian, Russian, or Spanish.

Birmingham’s group of high-profile translation researchers, trainers and practising professionals have extensive expertise in a wide range of areas. Research strengths include: literary translation and reception; translation history; translation stylistics; corpus-based translation studies; translation and language change; adaptation; gender issues in translation; news translation; collaborative and self-translation; intercultural pragmatics; and interpreting studies.

Choose from an exciting range of optional modules, which could include:

Talking about Translation Audiovisual Translation Group Project Translating Sound and Vision Translation in the Workplace Constructions of gender, sexuality and race Cross-cultural cinema Decolonial approaches to contemporary thought and culture Introduction to linguistics 

One of the most exciting elements of this degree is that you'll experience living and studying in a year abroad.

Why study this course?

Study differently - with our CLIL (Content Language Integrated Learning) teaching method. CLIL is a blended approach to language learning, based on a fusion of language and culture: study language, grammar and vocabulary in direct relation to topics of real cultural significance in your chosen language.

Be a polyglot in the making - with our wide range of languages to choose from, you can further develop your experiences and skills by splitting your year abroad across different languages and countries, choosing to study or work.

Access strong connections to the international translation community - We are a corporate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting. Our staff are active members of the European Society for Translation Studies and the International Association of Translation and Interpreting. We are also a partner in the ARTIS initiative (Advancing Research in Translation & Interpreting) and IPCITI (International Postgraduate Conference in Translation and Interpreting).

Practice as a professional – Develop your skills with our state-of-the-art Interpreting Suite with Televic interpreting desks and sound proof booths at the same professional standard as the United Nations.

Multicultural city – Learn in a vibrant city that is culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse. Join a number of language and culture-based societies to further enhance your skills including the multilingual Linguist Magazine.

Be more than a name on a spreadsheet - we pride ourselves on the number of teaching hours we offer. Teaching takes place within small groups, encouraging active language learning through engagement with thought-provoking cultural material.

Top 100 for Modern Languages in the QS World Subject Rankings 2024

35th for Modern Languages and Linguistics in The Guardian University Guide 2024