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Modern Languages and Translation BA

3-4 years

Combine the in-depth study of a foreign language and its culture with the acquisition of advanced skills in translation.

Please note that this degree can be studied as a 75/25 split (two languages plus translation) or as a 50/50 split (one language plus translation) but the title/UCAS code remain the same for both.

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Modern Languages and Translation BA, 3-4 years

Combine the in-depth study of a foreign language and its culture with the acquisition of advanced skills in translation.

Please note that this degree can be studied as a 75/25 split (two languages plus translation) or as a 50/50 split (one language plus translation) but the title/UCAS code remain the same for both.

Start date:

2025
2026

Course information

Typical offer BBB

UK fee £9,535

UCAS code R901

International fee £19,700

Institute code L34

Taught by Modern Languages

National Student Survey logo

Ranked 1st in subjects aligned to Modern Languages for ‘overall positivity’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data).

The Guardian

Top 12 in the UK for Languages and Linguistics (The Guardian University Guide 2025)

Complete University Guide

Top 10 in the UK for Italian (Complete University Guide 2025)

Modern Languages website

Course description

Course description

A career in translation or interpreting can be exciting and rewarding, and our Modern Languages and Translation BA will help you gain the skills you need while studying a foreign language in depth. As an advanced language learner you will immediately start translating and interpreting into your target language. 

You will study one language at Advanced level (choose from French, Italian, or Spanish). Throughout the course you will divide your time equally between studying translation and interpreting in theory and in practice, and developing your language proficiency, whilst learning about the social, political, and cultural forces that have shaped that country.

At the end of your first year, you attend one of our partly-funded two-week summer schools. This immersive experience includes language tuition, cultural and social activities and accommodation with a local family.

Developing your foreign language skills gives you a powerful advantage in business and opens up a wide and exciting range of careers. You will enjoy a rich culture of learning-led experience in a supportive and tailored learning environment, and you will be supported by our team of personal tutors to help you make the best of your time here.

You will also spend a year abroad where you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant, with tutors on hand to help throughout the year. We have links with several universities in Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, and Latin America. Alternatively, you can take up an approved work placement.

Here in Modern Languages at Leicester we offer a rich and diverse learning experience, with great facilities, knowledgeable staff who are experts in their fields, and a unique chance to study abroad and build your international communication skills.

Learn an extra language

All Modern Languages students have the opportunity in Year 1 to complete a year-long extracurricular Languages at Leicester course – for free. You can choose from any of these languages (subject to availability).

Chinese speakers

If you are a native Chinese speaker (or have an A-level in Chinese) but do not have the necessary qualification in a European language, you can take beginners-level modules in French, Italian or Spanish and apply your translation studies to English-Chinese.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • A/AS-levels: BBB at A-level including French or Spanish or Italian. Two AS-levels may be considered in place of one A-level. General Studies is accepted
  • EPQ with A-levels: BBC at A-level including French or Spanish or Italian + EPQ at grade B
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3, 24 of which must be at distinction. Plus grade B in A-level (or equivalent) in French or Spanish or Italian
  • International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 28 points including grade 6 in Higher Level in French or Spanish or Italian.
  • BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma at DDM. Plus Grade B at A-level (or equivalent) in French or Spanish or Italian

For the Chinese Speakers Pathway, you must be either a native speaker of, or have an A-level or equivalent in, Chinese.

Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.

If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.

Second Year Entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.

Contextual offers

The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

Selection Process

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the department.

Native Speakers

If your native language is French, Italian or Spanish, and you wish to study this language at Leicester, you will normally be required, in the first year of study, to take English language modules in lieu of the foreign language modules in your native tongue. If you have native speaker fluency in both English and your chosen foreign language(s), you will normally be required to substitute content modules for the relevant language modules.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Countries list

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

UK Students

Starting in 2025

The tuition fees that will be payable by you to the University for the 2025/26 academic year will be £9,535

  • £9,535 in your first year. Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used will be the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage payments (RPIX)
  • Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,430 for that year

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

International Students

Starting in 2025

  • £19,700 per year
  • Year Abroad: £4,925 which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Careers and employability

Careers and employability

In most cases your Year Abroad can include a year-long teaching assistantship or you could spend one or two semesters on a work placement approved by the University.

Our annual Careers Week includes seminars exploring diverse career paths. Speakers have come from European embassies and the EU.

Graduate destinations

Graduates from our Modern Languages degrees have gone on to work for a wide range of employers including:

  • Amazon Emirates
  • Airlines Ford Credit
  • Europe Ministerio de Educación
  • Cultura y Deporte (Spain)
  • Resilient PLC
  • STA International
  • Sweet Cherry Publishing

After graduating from Leicester, Joanna went on to work for one of the largest translation services in the world.

Careers and Employability Service


Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.

Related courses

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Find out more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Course structure

Year 1 (single language pathway)

Year 1 (single language pathway)

Core modules

You will take one module in your chosen language.

You will also take the following module

Option modules

Choose one option module from

Then choose two option modules from

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 1 (single language pathway for Chinese speakers)

Year 1 (single language pathway for Chinese speakers)

This pathway is designed for native Chinese speakers or students who hold an A-level in Chinese and now want to study a European language at Beginner level.

Core modules

You will take one module in your chosen language.

You will also take the following module

Option modules

Choose one option module from

Then choose two option modules from

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 1 (two language pathway)

Year 1 (two language pathway)

Core modules

You will take two modules in your chosen languages according to your experience. One of these must be at Advanced level.

You will also study the following modules

Option modules

Choose one option module from

Then choose two option modules from

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 2 (single language pathway)

Year 2 (single language pathway)

Core modules

You will take one module in your chosen language.

Option modules

Choose two module options from

Then choose four module options from

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 2 (single language pathway for Chinese speakers)

Year 2 (single language pathway for Chinese speakers)

Core modules

You will take one module in your chosen language.

Option modules

Choose two module options from

Then choose four module options from

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 2 (two language pathway)

Year 2 (two language pathway)

Core modules

You will take two modules in your chosen language.

Option modules

Choose two module options from

Then choose two module options from

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Optional Year Abroad (Year 3)

Optional Year Abroad (Year 3)

As part of the course you can choose to study abroad in your third year, during which time you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant or in another work placement of your choice, with tutors on hand to help.

We are partners with many universities across the world. Possible destinations for Modern Languages students include France, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Columbia.

You can transfer between the regular three-year degree and the four year 'Year Abroad' degree any time during your second year.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Final Year (single language pathway)

Final Year (single language pathway)

Core modules

You will take one module in your chosen language.

Option modules

Choose two module options from

Then choose four module options from

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Final Year (single language pathway for Chinese speakers)

Final Year (single language pathway for Chinese speakers)

Core modules

You will take one module in your chosen language.

Option modules

Choose two module options from

Choose four module options from

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Final Year (two language pathway)

Final Year (two language pathway)

Core modules

You will take two modules in your chosen language.

Option modules

Choose two module options from

Then choose two module options from

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Why Leicester?

Since the National Student Survey began in 2005, Modern Languages at Leicester has achieved consistently excellent results. Our average score for ‘Overall Satisfaction’ in recent years is 95%. So, whichever languages and subject combination you study at Leicester, you can be sure of the highest level of teaching and pastoral support from our staff.

You will definitely want to join the Students' Union's Modern Languages Society which organises academic and social events including film screenings, nights out, guest speakers, language-themed nights, sports events and even a weekend in Paris.

Teaching and learning

Summer School

When you take one of our Modern Languages courses, you will attend one of our partly-funded two-week summer schools during the summer vacation at the end of your first year, which is an integral part of your degree.

Whether you choose to study in Montpellier (France), Mondavio (Italy), or Santiago de Compostela (Spain), you will live with selected local families and hosts and enjoy language tuition in small groups each morning. In the afternoons, and some evenings and weekends, you'll take part in cultural and social activities for a complete immersion in the heart of the society, country and region you are visiting.

The benefits you'll gain are invaluable - you'll build your confidence in your chosen spoken and written language, gain crucial transferable skills (on completion of the summer school you will receive a HEAR certificate), discover new cultures, and build life-long friendships.

Teaching

Each week, you can expect to receive 3-4 hours of language teaching for each of your languages, and 2 hours of contact time for each optional module. 
Language skills are taught in small groups, predominantly by native speakers. Our courses stress the importance of communicative ability as well as linguistic accuracy, and oral skills are highly valued.

You will develop professional translation skills through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical workshops. These workshops will cover a wide range of genres, including business, literary, legal, and scientific translation. You will also be introduced to the use of AI and machine translation tools. Additionally, you have the choice to focus on interpreting skills with access to a purpose-built interpreting suite. Specialised technology is an important part of the curriculum, including software for audiovisual translation and Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools, to further support your learning and professional development.

Cultural studies modules are taught through a mix of lectures and seminars, which encourage discussion and debate around prepared topics and texts.

The use of online tutorials and exercises on Blackboard, the University’s virtual learning environment, allows us to include interactive training in our courses and to facilitate learning in specific areas such as essay writing and grammatical terminology.

You will be assessed throughout each year by a combination of continuous assessment, translations, interpreting tasks, seminar presentations, essays, scenario-based assessments and formal exams at the end of each semester. While final year work is most heavily weighted in determining the degree class, your achievements during your second year and your year abroad are also taken into account.

You will have regular meetings with your personal tutor to discuss progress in your studies. Your personal tutor will also provide a sympathetic ear for all matters of personal concern, whether academic, financial, housing, career, or social.

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.

Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.

Academic support

Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:

  • study and exam skills
  • academic writing
  • presentations
  • dissertations
  • numerical data skills
  • referencing sources

Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Apply now

Course Qualification Duration UCAS Code Availability
Course Modern Languages and Translation Qualification BA Duration 3 years full-time UCAS Code R901 Availability How to apply
Course Modern Languages and Translation with a Year Abroad Qualification BA Duration 4 years full-time UCAS Code R901 Availability How to apply

Data about this course

student smiling with a map of the world behind

One of the many great things about studying Languages at Leicester is the inclusion of contemporary and historical cultural modules alongside the linguistic aspect of the course.

Graham

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