BA (Hons) in Modern Languages with Translation

Program Overview

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Modern Languages with Translation (with Foundation Year)

Overview

Languages open doors to global careers, and our Modern Languages with Translation degree is designed for all learners, whether you’re starting from scratch or building on existing skills.

The foundation year gives you the academic skills needed for degree-level study while exploring big questions in humanities, such as global identities and cultural influences. You’ll develop research and communication skills before progressing to your language studies.

In the degree, beginners can achieve fluency in French, Japanese, or Spanish, while intermediate learners can advance to C1 level in French, or Spanish. Alongside language proficiency, you'll gain translation expertise and explore cultural perspectives valued by employers worldwide.

With options to study abroad or complete your degree in three years, this course offers flexibility, academic depth, and real-world application, preparing you for an international career.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Learn a modern language from scratch
• Gain the knowledge to live like a local
• Stand out from the crowd
• Perfect preparation
• Supportive environment
• Study abroad

Course Details

Course Structure

Languages shape how we understand the world and connect across cultures. In your foundation year, you’ll study a foundation in humanities, building confidence and essential academic skills.

In your first degree year, you’ll begin to develop your practical language and translation skills while exploring intercultural communication. We’ll introduce a range of themes to help you understand the global context of language learning and translation.

As you progress, you’ll choose from optional modules in areas like Business, Education, International Relations, and Politics—tailoring your degree to suit your interests and career ambitions.

You’ll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like Wordfast, courtesy of Wordfast LLC and Yves Champollion. In your final year, you’ll complete a substantial independent project, exploring an area of translation or language study that excites you.

Learning and Teaching

• Year 1: In your first year, you will either choose one language to learn as a beginner: Japanese or Spanish. Or, if you have previous language study, you can choose two languages in your first year from: French, Korean, Japanese, or Spanish.
• Year 2: In year 2, you will have the chance to take part in our international collaborative online learning - Virtual Exchange Britain Algeria (VEBA). This project aims to develop your ability and confidence to work in all disciplines.
• Year 3 (optional placement year): In your third year you will have the opportunity to study abroad at a partner university or undertake a work placement. You'll develop your vocational practice and cultural experience in a professional setting in the UK or abroad, depending on your language skills and programme of study.
• Year 3 (4 with a placement year): You will study 4 compulsory modules and 4 optional modules.

Assessment

Your continuous assessment will take the form of methods that include:

• Essays
• In class tests
• Oral presentations
• Module examinations.

Our expectation on the course is that you will progress through the course developing your language skills and you will graduate with a C1 Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level of proficiency in your primary language.

Study Modules

Teaching for this course takes place face to face and you can expect around 9 hours of contact time per week. In addition to this, you should also anticipate a workload of 1,200 hours per year. Teaching usually takes place Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 6.00pm.

Contact hours involve activities such as lectures, seminars, practicals, assessments, and academic advising sessions. These hours differ by year of study and typically increase significantly during placements or other types of work-based learning.

Foundation Year

Compulsory Modules

• Being Human: Love, Sex and Death
• Cultural Moments
• Language, Vision and Representation
• Nation and Identity
• Research Project
• The Reflective Learner

Optional Modules

• Creating Criminology 2
• Customs, Icons and Symbols
• Development Studies
• French Beginners 2
• Global Issues
• Modern British Art
• Origins of the Climate Crisis: A Global History of the Environment
• Political Philosophy
• Spanish Beginners 2
• Young Children's Outdoor Learning

Year 1

Compulsory Modules

• Culture, Identity & Society
• Understanding Languages and Translation
• Language Study

Optional Modules

• Placement 1: Understanding Education
• Foundations of Marketing
• Global Challenges in International Relations
• Politics in Comparative Perspective
• Customs, Icons and Symbols

Year 2

Compulsory Modules

• Cultural Competence for the World of Work
• Translation as Intercultural Communication
• Language Study

Optional Modules

• Language Study Option
• Marketing Management
• English Language Teaching to Adults
• Language, Culture and Globalisation
• Borders & Solidarities in World Politics
• State and Society: Europe and the United States
• Independent Study in Modern Languages with Translation

Optional Year Abroad

Optional Modules

• Year Abroad

Final Year

Compulsory Modules

• Researching Cross-Cultural Experiences
• Translating Culture - Word and Image
• Language Study

Optional Modules

• Advanced Translation Skills
• Language Study Option
• International Marketing
• Tandem Language Learning
• The politics of public space: The EU and Russia
• Violence, Militarism and Terrorism
• Independent Study Module

Careers

You’ll graduate with a unique combination of skills that are prized by international employers.

You’ll have highly developed language skills - and you’ll competently speak two languages or more. Your advanced intercultural awareness will equip you for any transnational workplace. You’ll have a professional specialism relevant to major international careers. And you’ll have credible work experience on your CV.

Graduates from our language programmes have progressed into fields such as:

• media and journalism
• tourism and travel
• publishing
• NGOs and international development
• governmental and diplomatic posts
• teaching
• banking and insurance.

Entry Requirements

• UCAS Tariff Points: 48
• A Level: DD
• IB Points: 24
• BTEC: PPP or MP

English Language Requirements

Please see the University's standard English language requirements.

Credit Transfer

Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

How to Apply

• Full time Home (UK) applicants: Apply through UCAS
• Part time Home (UK) applicants: Apply direct to the University
• International applicants: Apply direct to the University

Tuition Fees

• Home (UK) full time: £5,760 (Foundation); £9,535 (Degree)
• Home (UK) part time: £720 per single module (Foundation); £1,190 per single module (Degree)
• International full time: £16,750

Funding Your Studies

• Oxford Brookes Bursary for Continuing Students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for part-time UK students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for full-time UK students
• Undergraduate tuition fee loans for UK students
• Oxford Brookes Bursary for New Students

Information from Discover Uni

• Full-time study
• Part-time study

Programme Changes

On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.