Translation (Spanish) BA Honours

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Course Overview

UK Fees £9,250 *
International Fees £15,400 *
Duration 3 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

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

You'll develop knowledge of language structure, register, textuality and discourse, by applying linguistic concepts to practical translation tasks. You'll also gain the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.

Depending on your entry point, you can combine the main language, Spanish, with another language (Arabic, Chinese or French) or the Global Communication route. You'll study an integrated curriculum, with a focus on professional context and communication skills, bilingual translation skills and theory. Your studies may include developing your skills in a new foreign language or modules in cultural studies. 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.

Alongside core modules in translation, the course offers a wide range of option modules, covering topics including global communications, world cultures, current affairs, politics and gender issues. You'll also have the option to spend a year abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, studying or, depending on your language level, working or volunteering.

As well as careers in professional translation, our graduates have found employment as interpreters, teachers (both in foreign languages and English as a foreign language), and in various other sectors including law, marketing, journalism, and the Civil Service.

We accept intermediate (post-A Level) and proficient speakers in Spanish. This is a linguistically challenging course and we may need to assess you in order to determine your entry point and suitability.

Top reasons to study with us

  • Develop the skills you need - we offer practical and authentic translation experience, including audio-visual translation and transcreation
  • Boost your career potential – get a head start in your career with regular translation projects, career management and computer-assisted translation training
  • Choose your path – proficient Spanish speakers can choose between adding another language or taking Global Communication modules
  • Learn in an efficient way - our small group learning and personalised tutorial support ensure you'll be fully supported throughout your studies
  • Gain international experience - take part in a year abroad studying, working or volunteering

Course structure

Much of your learning will take place during independent study, individually and in groups, in the well-resourced and recently refurbished library, at home and via online learning provision.

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

You can find examples of how marks have been calculated and study time distributed in the past in the Teaching and Assessment section at the bottom of this page.

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Subjects of study include:

  • 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

Credit Level 4

Subjects of study include:

  • 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

Credit Level 5

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 – Translation (Spanish) 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 – Translation (Spanish) with International Experience.

Subjects of study include:

  • 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

Credit Level 6

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.

Hear from our students

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Prospectus

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

Request a prospectus

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

Boost your employability

Spanish was the second most desired language by employers, according to a report by CBI/Pearson. 

Source: CBI/Pearson 2019.

Future-proof your career

The British Council named Spanish as the top language for the future in 2017.

Source: British Council.

International experience

Gain international experience and develop your language skills by taking part in an academic year studying or working abroad.

Career development

The teaching on this course will expose you to professionally relevant simulations and real-work environments, enabling you to gain a better understanding of careers in translation.

As well as careers in professional translation, our graduates have also found employment as interpreters, teachers (both in foreign languages and English as a foreign language), and in various other sectors including law, marketing, journalism, and the Civil Service.

Additionally, you'll have the option to take part in a year studying, working or volunteering, depending on your language level, in a Spanish-speaking country. Previous destinations include Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Granada), Cuba, Mexico and Argentina.

Job roles

The course prepares you for roles and sectors including:

  • Editor
  • Interpreter
  • Teacher
  • Transcreator
  • Translator
  • Brand management and advertising
  • Civil Service
  • Communications careers in business and marketing
  • Digital content production
  • Diplomacy

Graduate employers

Previous graduates from our French and Spanish Translation courses have found roles in companies including:

  • Accessorize
  • Artlife Translations
  • Creative Translation Ltd
  • Farm Diversity
  • GlobaLexicon
  • Pertemba Global
  • QuantumBlack
  • Transperfect
  • Verbatim Interpreters Ltd
  • Wordbank London

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

  • Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
  • Attending an international summer school or field trip
  • Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leader

Why study this course?

Outstanding facilities

Our computer-assisted translation training gives you the knowledge and skills you need for a successful translation-related career.

Authentic learning

You'll learn practical and authentic translation, including audio-visual translation and transcreation.

International experience

Gain international experience with a year working, studying or volunteering in a Spanish-speaking country.

Studying languages with us

Entry Requirements

  • A levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points), with a C in Spanish or be a proficient level speaker in Spanish
  • T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the IB including a minimum of 4 in Spanish at HL
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM with evidence of successful modern foreign language learning in Spanish
  • BTEC Diploma – D*D with evidence of successful modern foreign language learning in Spanish
  • Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course with evidence of successful modern foreign language learning in Spanish

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

  • GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4 and evidence of successful modern foreign language learning in Spanish

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We may need to test you to ascertain your language level if you are not doing an A Level in Spanish.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

  • International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the IB including a minimum of 4 in Spanish at HL

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

More information

Pre-sessional English programmes

Need to improve your English before starting your course? We offer summer pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects. 

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

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.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

You should budget up to £50 for additional materials in each year of the course.

See also our general policy on what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £15,400 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

You should budget up to £50 for additional materials in each year of the course.

See also our general policy on what your tuition fees cover.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

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. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
26%74%
2
26%74%
P
100%
3
27%73%
Scheduled hoursIndependent studyPlacement

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
  • Written exams: end of semester exams 
  • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
     
Year
1
17%20%63%
2
60%22%18%
P
100%
3
62%25%13%
Written examsPracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2022/23

Supporting you

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

Visit our student hub

Course location

Our Regent Campus is comprised of two sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.

Subjects including Criminology and Sociology, English and Creative Writing, History, Languages, Politics and International Relations and Visual Culture are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.

For more details, visit our locations page.

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

Start live chat

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

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