Translation is a fast-changing profession and here in Birmingham we have always been at the forefront of innovative teaching and research. Students undertaking training with us will be equipped with the digital and creative skills which translators of the future will need in order to thrive in their careers
What we teach
We offer translation training from undergraduate to MA level as well as PhD study. You will be taught and supervised by international scholars and practising translators with a wide range of expertise.
Undergraduates in Modern Languages can choose optional modules in Translation Studies and we also offer a 40-credit Translation Studies pathway. Our undergraduate pathway aims to impart the knowledge and skills that will enable students to become resourceful, high quality translators. We have designed the programme to develop the many competences required by professional translators, such as being able to produce a translation that meets the demands of a client brief and showing understanding of the translator's roles and responsibilities. At a time when the translation sector is embracing rapid technological advancement, the programme provides hands-on experience of using computer-assisted tools for translation and transcription, as well as guiding students to use machine translation and language processing models in an imaginative and, above all, well-informed way.
Whether you join us at undergraduate or postgraduate level, all our modules are informed by contemporary translation theory as well as the latest developments across the industry. Translation is a uniquely challenging and creative practice, so studying it gives you the opportunity to develop a wide range of transferable skills such as linguistic problem-solving, cross-cultural communication and the ability to read, write, edit and research in your chosen languages with greater knowledge, insight and sensitivity.
We offer the following postgraduate degrees in translation and interpreting:
How we teach
We offer excellent facilities for both training and research. You will be able to access the latest software used across the translation industry in our computer labs and off campus. We also have a state-of-the-art Interpreting Suite which features cutting-edge technology similar to the United Nations., The well-supplied university library haswith a particularly strong provision of e-resources for translation and interpreting.
Learn more
For more information about studying Translation at undergraduate level, visit:
BA Modern Languages with Translation
For more information about studying languages with us, visit:
Modern Languages undergraduate degree combinations
Postgraduate studies in the Department of Modern Languages
Outside of your studies
We have a lively programme of translation-related events at Birmingham, and we also have strong connections to the international translation community. We are a corporate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting. Our staff are active members of the European Society for Translation Studies and the International Association of Translation and Interpreting. We are also a partner in the ARTIS initiative (Advancing Research in Translation & Interpreting) and IPCITI (International Postgraduate Conference in Translation and Interpreting).
Birmingham is one of the most culturally mixed cities in the UK. For centuries, people have travelled across the country and the world to build their lives here. The city hosts around 50 annual festivals - so there is always something happening in the city celebrating diversity, community and innovative intercultural exchanges. Birmingham’s restaurant scene also offers around 30 different nationalities and styles of cooking. The city is home to Birmingham International Airport, the third largest airport in the UK, for fantastic access to destinations of your target language(s)
