You'll study two languages in Stage 1. However, you'll have the option to drop one of your languages from Stage 2, if you want to focus on one language with 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).

Alongside your language studies, you'll choose a range of optional modules. These modules will allow you to explore the history and cultures of the countries where your languages are spoken. 

Stage 2 develops your understanding of both translation and interpreting practice as well as developing your language skills further. You will build on the foundations laid in your first year and will be able to explore new topics.

You'll again choose modules to continue exploring and comparing the countries where your chosen language(s) are spoken.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to study beginners’ modules in:

• Catalan or Italian if you study French or Spanish
• Dutch if you study German

Optional Year Abroad

Studying abroad is a great way to immerse yourself in local cultures, meet new people and improve your language skills.

Our year abroad is optional, meaning you can choose to study abroad in your third year (making your degree four years) or you can opt out (which will make your degree three years). You do not have to choose right away and will receive plenty of support and advice on your options before you make your decision in Stage 2.

The way you spend your year abroad is up to you. You can:

• work as a British Council teaching assistant in a school (UK nationals only)
• study at a partner university
• undertake an approved work placement

The year abroad is highly flexible and students can choose to either spend their year abroad in one country or divide it between two countries. You can also study at a partner university in one semester and undertake a work placement in another.

Find out more about our current partner universities.

Optional Careers Placement Year

Work experience can enhance your career prospects beyond university. All modern language students not taking a year abroad have the opportunity to undertake a Careers Placement Year in the UK. This will be in the third year of your study and will make your degree four years long in total.

With a placement year you can choose to do:

• one placement lasting 9-12 months
• two placements which last at least 4.5 months each

Again, you don't need to decide now if you'd like to choose a Placement Year and you will receive plenty of support and advice on your options before you make your decision in Stage 2.

Final year is Stage 4 for those choosing a Year Abroad or a Careers Placement and Stage 3 for those not choosing these options. 

In final year, 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 studies build on the levels you developed in Stage 2 or during your Year Abroad and you also develop more professional skills and will study language for professional and academic purposes.

As in Stages 1 and 2, you choose optional modules to further develop your knowledge of the countries where your chosen language(s) are spoken.