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Modern Languages and Translation BA

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. We are in the process of updating the course structure provided below.

Modern Languages and Translation BA, 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. We are in the process of updating the course structure provided below.

Start date:

2025

Course information

Typical offer BBB

UK fee £9,535

UCAS code R901

International fee £19,700

Institute code L34

Taught by Modern Languages

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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)

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.

Arabic speakers

If you are a native Arabic speaker (or have an A-level in Arabic) 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-Arabic.

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Careers and employability

Related courses

Sustainable Development Goals

Course structure

Advanced French

Advanced French

You will study French language and culture for 50% of your course and translation for the other 50%.

To follow this pathway, you must have A-level French, unless you are a native speaker of Chinese or Arabic.

Year 1

Core modules

Option modules

Choose one module from:

Year 2

Core modules

Option modules

Choose one module from:

Then choose one module from:

Year Abroad

The Year Abroad is a fundamental element of this course, during which time you will study or work in a French-speaking country. Alternatively, you can apply to spend a year working as a British Council language-teaching assistant or on some other work placement of your choice, subject to approval. It is even possible to split the year between study abroad and work placement, giving you the best of both worlds. However, it is possible, in exceptional cases, to complete this degree in three years, without a year abroad.

Studying abroad is central to what makes our graduates stand out. You will acquire life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. You will have the chance to perfect your spoken and written language and engage with new societies, whist all the time building your independence and becoming more employable. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.

Please note

  • A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding section of this page for details.
  • You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.

Final Year

Core module

Option modules

Choose one module from:

Then choose one module from:

Then choose two modules from:

Then choose two 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.

Advanced Italian

Advanced Spanish

Advanced French + Advanced Italian

Advanced French + Advanced Spanish

Advanced Italian + Advanced Spanish

Advanced French + a Beginners level language

Advanced Italian + a Beginners level language

Advanced Spanish + a Beginners level language

Why Leicester?

We offer a partly-funded two-week summer school between Years 1 and 2. You will immerse yourself in a different culture and language, building your confidence in your language skills.

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 4 years full-time UCAS Code R901 Availability How to apply

Data about this course

98%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for courses in Others in language and area studies at University of Leicester

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

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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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