Languages and Translation with Foundation BA Honours

Program Overview

Languages and Translation with Foundation BA Honours

Overview

Our degree courses with foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster. Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don’t have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.

Course Details

• UCAS Code: QR85
• Institution Code: W50
• Attendance: Full-time - September 2025
• UK Fees: £9,535 *
• International Fees: £17,000 *
• Duration: 4 years
• Campus: Regent, Central London

Course Summary

The foundation year is designed to give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within your chosen field. Core modules accelerate your academic and professional development, bringing together like-minded students to think about the ‘big ideas’ within your discipline. You will also take modules from areas closely related to your chosen field, giving you the chance to develop a cross-disciplinary perspective on your course.

On successful completion of the foundation year, you will be able to move on to study for the Languages and Translation BA Honours degree over a further three years study.

Our Languages and Translation BA Honours will give you the skills, knowledge and competencies to build a career as a professional translator.

Course Structure

Teaching and learning take place through a combination of formal lectures, seminars, practical workshops, guided self-study, and exposure to professionally relevant simulations and real-work environments.

Assessment methods include in-class coursework, essays and projects, presentations, and oral and unseen written exams.

Subjects of Study

• Foundation Year:
  • Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
  • Imagining Global Society and Politics
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Introduction to Academic Practice
  • Living and working in Spanish speaking countries
  • Reading Identities
• Year 1:
  • Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication OR The Arab/Chinese/French/Spanish World and the Word
  • Introduction to the Study of Language and Culture
  • Introduction to Translation
  • Objects and Meaning: The Social Life of Material Culture
  • World Varieties of English OR The Arab/Chinese/French/Spanish World and the Word
• Year 2:
  • Building Translation Competence
  • Difference and the Visual: Representation, Meaning and Identity OR Expressions of Arabic/Chinese/French/Spanish Culture
  • Language in the Public Space OR Expressions of Arabic/Chinese/French/Spanish Culture
  • Multilingual e-Collaboration: Transposing Current Affairs
  • Understanding Culture: Arabic/Chinese/Francophone/Hispanic Studies in Focus
• Year 3:
  • Computer-assisted Translation, Machine Translation, and Post-editing
  • Final Year Project
  • Identities on the Move: Arabic/Chinese/Francophone/Hispanic Studies in Focus
  • Mediation in International Contexts OR Themes in Contemporary Arabic/Chinese/French and Francophone/Hispanic Studies
  • Multilingualism in Society: Theory and Practice
  • Professionalising International Communication OR Themes in Contemporary Arabic/Chinese/French and Francophone/Hispanic Studies
  • Sex Strike: Gender and Protest
  • Towards Professional Translation
  • Work Placement for Humanities

Professional Experience or Study Abroad Year

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – Languages and Translation with Professional Experience.

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – Languages and Translation with International Experience.

Professional Recognition

The University of Westminster is a Higher Education Language partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and a member of the Association of Programmes in Translation and Interpreting Studies APTIS.

Entry Requirements

• UK:
  • A levels – DEE (56 UCAS Tariff points), with a C in French or Spanish or be an advanced/proficient
    ative level speaker in French or Spanish
  • T levels – 56 UCAS Tariff points with evidence of successful modern foreign language learning in French or Spanish
  • International Baccalaureate – 56 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis + evidence of successful modern foreign language learning in French or Spanish
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – MPP with evidence of successful modern foreign language learning in French or Spanish
  • BTEC Diploma – MM with evidence of successful modern foreign language learning in French or Spanish
  • Access – 56 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course with evidence of successful modern foreign language learning in French or Spanish
• International:
  • International Baccalaureate – 56 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
  • We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements

English Language Requirements

• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
• If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: £9,535 (Price per academic year)
• International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
• Funding: As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
• Scholarships: The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching methods: Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• Assessment methods: Assessments typically fall into three broad categories: Practical, Written exams, and Coursework.

Supporting You

• Student Hub: Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
• Study support: Workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills.
• Personal tutors: Support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential.
• Student advice team: Provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas.
• Extra-curricular activities: Volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more.