Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting
BA Honours
- UCAS code: R9Q9
- Full time
- 4 years
- Next start date: September 2023
This degree combines your study of two modern foreign languages with the development of sought-after translation and interpreting skills to prepare you for a career as an engaged, global citizen.
Fees (per year)
- Home: £9250
- International: £21000
UCAS Institution name and code:
- NEWC / N21
Course overview
This Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting degree focuses on developing your language skills to near-native fluency as well as equipping you with specialist and in-demand skills such as translating and interpreting.
The third year of your degree will be spent abroad, so you can develop your language skills among native speakers and experience a different culture.
Your knowledge and skills of translation and interpreting also ensure you leave Newcastle University as a sought-after graduate with attributes highly prized by employers.
You'll become a confident multilinguist, ready to embark on your career as a global citizen.
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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
- 10th in the UK – Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 (Iberian Languages category)
- 8th in the UK – Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 (German category)
- 13th in the UK – Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 (French category)
- 7th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2023 (French category)
- 10th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2023 (German category)
- 19th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2023 (Iberian Languages category)
- Top 150 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- Top 200 for Modern Languages - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- 1st in the UK and 8th in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 125 University - QS World University Rankings 2023
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
This degree allows you to study two modern foreign languages and specialise in translation and interpreting.
There are two routes through the degree.
If you have A Level (or equivalent) in two of French, German and Spanish, then you follow pathways in Translation and Interpreting in both languages.
If you have A Level (or equivalent) in one of French, German or Spanish, then you follow a Translation and Interpreting pathway in that language. You also study another language from beginners’ level (from Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese or Spanish).
You also have a selection of optional modules to choose from exploring the culture of your chosen countries.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Interpreting Theory and Practice 1 | 20 |
| Translation Theory and Practice 1 | 20 |
Stage 2 furthers your understanding of both translation and interpreting practice as well as moving into the advanced study of languages.
You will again have optional modules that explore the cultures and histories of the countries where your chosen languages are spoken.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to study beginners’ modules in:
- Catalan or Italian if you study Spanish
- Catalan or Italian if you study French
- Dutch if you study German
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Interpreting Theory and Practice 2 | 20 |
| Translation Theory and Practice 2 | 20 |
You will spend Stage 3 working or studying abroad. This year abroad exposes you to the life and cultures of the countries you're studying, further developing your language skills.
Modules
Compulsory Modules
Year Abroad Tutor Posts (100 credits)
Optional Modules
Study Abroad (20 credits)
Year Abroad Work Placement Report (Semester 1) (20 credits)
Year Abroad Work Placement Report (Semester 2) (20 credits)
Year Abroad Project (Semester 1) (20 credits)
Year Abroad Project (Semester 2) (20 credits)
In Stage 4 you'll study further translation and interpreting modules. This gives you the opportunity to gain professional skills and an awareness of the issues in translation and interpreting.
Your language modules include advanced writing skills as well as the learning of language for professional and academic purposes.
Optional modules allow you to explore the history and culture of foreign countries.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Interpreting Theory and Practice 3 | 20 |
| Translation Theory and Practice 3 | 20 |
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.
Teaching time is made up of:
- scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
- structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
The majority of language modules are taught by native speakers. You also work in language laboratories and undertake self-study in our Language Resource Centre.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
-
Assessments
-
Assignments – written or fieldwork
-
Coursework
-
Dissertation or research project
-
Dossier
-
Essays
-
Examinations – practical or online
-
Group work
-
Portfolio submission
-
Practical sessions
-
Presentations
-
Reflective report/journal
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Reports
-
Seminar tasks/exercises
Skills and experience
Research skills
You have the option of writing a dissertation in your final year, which allows you to explore and discuss a topic of interest in great detail, while developing research skills.
Chat to a student
Opportunities
Year abroad
This Modern Languages degree includes a compulsory year abroad.
Students studying a European language can:
- study at one of our partner universities
- undertake a work or voluntary placement
- undertake a combination of both (ensuring they do not overlap)
Students who are studying Chinese or Japanese will spend the academic year studying at one of our partner universities in these countries.
You usually divide the year between the countries relating to your chosen languages, although it may be possible to spend the entire year in one country.
Support for year abroad
You will receive lots of help to prepare for your year abroad, including:
- briefings covering practicalities like insurance, visas and student safety
- support in finding a work placement
- a Tandem Learning Scheme, to practise conversation in your foreign language and make in-country contacts, before you travel
- a training course for language assistants
There are also events in your second year where you can meet students who have already done their year abroad, students from our partner universities in Europe, and Chinese and Japanese exchange students from our host universities in East Asia.
You'll be in contact with our Year Abroad team during your time abroad, and communicate with your personal tutor. You'll also write blog posts, reflecting on your linguistic, personal and professional development.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
As a Modern Languages student, you'll be based at our city-centre campus, in the School of Modern Languages. We've been teaching modern languages in Newcastle for more than 100 years.
You will have access to language laboratories and the award-winning Language Resource Centre, with self-study resources for over 50 languages. You'll also have access to:
- specialist language learning software
- dictionaries
- films
- live foreign-language TV channels
Support
You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.
Your future
Studying for our degree in Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting will open the door to a wide variety of career paths, while adding the specific skills of translation and interpreting to your portfolio.
You may decide to embark directly upon a career in translation and interpreting, or you could follow in the tracks of some graduates, and find work in areas as diverse as tourism, marketing, management, the civil service, advertising and the media, teaching and banking.
Alternatively, if you want to study translation and interpreting further, our degree is excellent preparation for a postgraduate professional qualification.
The degree aims to provide a firm foundation for a career as a freelance translator or interpreter for agencies and commercial clients in the private or public sectors, and work in international organisations.
Make a difference
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Careers support
The School of Modern Languages works with the University’s Careers Service to run an annual Employability Week, including an opportunity to network with recent graduates.
We also collaborate on the Modern Languages careers blog, Careers Translated. The blog gives you access to a range of relevant jobs, training and work experience opportunities, as well as interviews with alumni and employers, and general advice.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Entry requirements and offers
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2023 entry.
A Level
ABB
International Baccalaureate
32 points
Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications
Contextual Offers
Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Entrance courses (INTO)
International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO.
Find out more about International Pathway Courses
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)
Home Fee Students
£9250
International Fee Students
£21000
The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Read more about fees and funding
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.
Year abroad and additional costs
For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
Scholarships
Find out more about:
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year at our on-campus and virtual open days.
You'll be able to:
• explore our beautiful campus
• find out about our vibrant city
• discover what students think about studying at Newcastle
You'll also have the opportunity to speak to academic staff and find out more about the subjects you're interested in.
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually.
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University. Visit our events calendar to find out when we're visiting your region.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS
To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:
- the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
- the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
- the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college
If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.
Apply through UCASApply through an agent
International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.
Get in touch
By phone
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