Modern Languages with Translation BA, 4 years

Start date:

2021
2022

Course information

Typical offer AAB-ABB

UK/EU fee £9,250

UCAS code 7Q19

International fee £17,450

Institute code L34

Taught by Modern Languages

The Guardian

Top 20 in the UK for Modern Languages (The Guardian University Guide 2022)

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96% of students in work or further study six months after graduating (The Uni Guide 2021)

Admissions enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 5281
ahladmissions@le.ac.uk

Course enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 2620
ArtsAdmissions@le.ac.uk

Modern Languages website

Combine the development of skills in two foreign languages, and knowledge of their related cultures, with learning about the theory and practice of translation.

Course description

Course description

Our Modern Languages with Translation BA gives you the opportunity to develop your foreign language skills and gain insight into foreign cultures, while giving you the skills and understanding you need for a promising career in translation and interpretation.

Leicester is one of the top ten places in the UK to study Modern Languages (The Guardian University Guide 2021) and we rank high for student satisfaction in the annual National Student Survey.

Throughout the course you will spend two thirds of your time studying your choice of foreign languages and one third of your course on the study of translation and interpreting. You will study two languages in your first year (choose from French, Italian, and Spanish), with the option of studying one at Beginners level. In your second and third years you can either continue with both languages or choose to concentrate on just one.

At the end of your first year, you will attend one of our fully-funded 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.

What's the difference?

Our Modern Languages with Translation degree focuses on two languages (choose from French, Italian and Spanish, with at least one language at Advanced level), with one third of the course being spent on the theory and practice of translation and interpretation.

Alternatively, you can take Modern Languages and Translation where half of the programme focuses on the study of one language (choose from French, Italian and Spanish, at Advanced level) and half is spent on translation.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • A/AS-levels: AAB-ABB at A-level including French or Spanish or Italian. Two AS-Levels may be considered in place of one A-level. General Studies accepted.
  • EPQ with A-levels: ABB-BBB 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, 30 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 30 points including grade 6 in Higher Level in French or Spanish or Italian.
  • BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma with D*DD. Plus grade B at A-level (or equivalent) in French or Spanish or Italian.

Other national and international qualifications considered. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you can apply for the International Foundation Year – Society and Culture run by the Global Study Centre. The GSC provides academic support to help you progress to your chosen undergraduate degree at the University of Leicester.

Second Year Entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.

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 and EU Students

Starting in 2021

The University of Leicester has made the decision to keep fees for EU students at the same level as UK student fees for this year, despite this no longer being a UK Government requirement.

  • £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
  • Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,250 for that year

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £2,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

International Students

Starting in 2021

  • £17,450 per year
  • Year Abroad: £4,362.50, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee

You will need to pay a deposit of £2,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

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.

Career Development Service


Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Career Development 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.

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 and Summer School

Year 1 and Summer School

You will study two languages, one at Advanced level and one at Beginner level. So you will choose one Advanced module and one pair of Beginner modules from:

(It is also possible to take both languages at Advanced level if you have A-levels in both.)

You will also study two translation modules:

You will study one module from the list below. This should align with one of the languages being studied.

Finally you will choose one module from the lists below. This should not relate to the same language as your 'Introduction to...' module.

French modules

Italian modules

Spanish modules

At the end of your first year, you will decide whether to continue with both languages or concentrate on just one.

Summer School

During the summer between your first and second years of study, you will attend a fully-funded Modern Languages Summer School in one of three beautiful destinations in France, Italy and Spain.

If you are taking one language as a Beginner-level student, you will attend the summer school for that language.

If you are taking two or three languages from Advanced level, then your tutors will help you decide which summer school you would most benefit from in terms of your language learning needs and experiences.

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 languages)

Year 2 (two languages)

If you continue with both languages you will take one Post-Advanced module and one Post-Beginner module from:

(It is also possible to continue both languages at Post-Advanced level.)

You will also study two translation modules:

Finally you will choose two modules from the lists below, one from each language studied:

French modules

Italian modules

Spanish modules

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)

Year 2 (single language)

If you choose to concentrate on a single language you will study one module from:

You will also study two translation modules:

Finally you will choose four modules from the lists below:

French modules

Italian modules

Spanish modules

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 Abroad

Year Abroad

The Year Abroad is a fundamental element of our Modern Languages degrees, during which time your will study or work in one or two countries related to your course. 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 work in the private sector, the state sector, a non-governmental organisation, or become self-employed you will find the experience invaluable. Find out more from our Study Abroad Unit.

Please note that a year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See our Fees and Funding section for details.

Modern Languages at Leicester has links with several European universities, administered through the Erasmus+ scheme. In addition, if you are eligible for a loan from Student Finance you can apply for a travel grant from them.

  • For the latest information on the future of the Erasmus+ scheme at UK universities please see our Brexit microsite 

We have links with the following universities:

France

Belgium

Spain

Italy

We also have links with some universities outside Europe and the EU. If you are receiving financial assistance from Student Finance your support will continue and you may also be eligible to apply for additional travel grants or scholarships. We have links with the following universities:

Canada

Colombia

Mexico

Switzerland

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 languages)

Final Year (two languages)

You will take two modules from:

You will also study two translation modules:

Finally you will choose two modules from the lists below, no more than one per language:

French modules

Italian modules

Spanish modules

Cross-language modules

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)

Final Year (single language)

You will take one module from:

You will also study two translation modules:

Finally you will choose four modules from the lists below:

French modules

Italian modules

Spanish modules

Cross-language modules

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?

Modern Languages at Leicester

It was the fully funded overseas summer school which attracted Alice to Leicester.

Job prospects are excellent: 96% of our language students are employed (or studying for a Masters degree) six months after graduating. (DLHE)

We were ranked 9th in the UK for modern language teaching in the Guardian University Guide 2021.

The summer school in your chosen country between Years 1 and 2 is part of your course so there's no extra cost. This experience 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 fully-funded summer schools during the summer vacation at the end of your first year, which is an integral part of your degree.

Whether you study in Montpellier (France), Massa Marittima (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.

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.

Teaching

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, seminar presentations, essays, 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 Student Learning Development Team 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.

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Course Qualification Duration UCAS Code Availability
Course Modern Languages with Translation Qualification BA Duration 4 years full-time UCAS Code 7Q19 Availability Apply Now