BA Languages and Translation with Foundation
About this course
BA (Hons) in Languages and Translation with Foundation, an undergraduate degree in Modern Languages focusing on translation practice, linguistic structures, and international communication. Core topics include Research Methods, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking. The course begins with a dedicated foundation year designed to prepare students for advanced study before progressing to the full honours degree. Students can choose between French or Spanish as a main language and select routes combining additional languages or International Communication. The course starts with Year 0 modules such as Critical Thinking in a Changing World, Imagining Global Society and Politics, Intercultural Communication, Introduction to Academic Practice, and Reading Identities. Year 1 introduces core studies through Introduction to Translation, Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication, World Varieties of English, Introduction to the Study of Language and Culture, alongside language-specific modules like The Arab World and the Word, The Chinese World and the Word, The French World and the Word, and The Spanish World and the Word. Year 2 advances competencies with Building Translation Competence, Difference and the Visual: Representation, Meaning and Identity, Language in the Public Space, and culture options such as Expressions of Arabic Culture, Expressions of Chinese Culture, Expressions of French Culture, and Expressions of Spanish Culture. The final year comprises advanced professional preparation through Computer-assisted Translation, Machine Translation, and Post-editing, Final Year Project, Towards Professional Translation, Mediation in International Contexts, and Professionalising International Communication. Optional modules across various stages include Objects and Meaning: The Social Life of Material Culture, Multilingual e-Collaboration: Transposing Current Affairs, Understanding Culture: Arabic/Chinese/Francophone/Hispanic Studies in Focus, Identities on the Move: Arabic/Chinese/Francophone/Hispanic Studies in Focus, Multilingualism in Society: Theory and Practice, Sex Strike: Gender and Protest, and Work Placement for Humanities, culminating in a final-year independent project with pathways including the Professional Transcreation Project.
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Entry requirements
A levels – DEE (56 UCAS Tariff points), with a C in French or Spanish or be an advanced/proficient/native 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. 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 French or Spanish. We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
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What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 100%
- Assessment and feedback: 98%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 97%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 76%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 2%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Access course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Critical Thinking in a Changing World
- Imagining Global Society and Politics
- Intercultural Communication
- Introduction to Academic Practice
- Reading Identities
- Introduction to Translation
- Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
- World Varieties of English
- Introduction to the Study of Language and Culture
- The Arab World and the Word
- The Chinese World and the Word
- The French World and the Word
- The Spanish World and the Word
- Objects and Meaning: The Social Life of Material Culture
- Building Translation Competence
- Difference and the Visual: Representation, Meaning and Identity
- Language in the Public Space
- Expressions of Arabic Culture
- Expressions of Chinese Culture
- Expressions of French Culture
- Expressions of Spanish Culture
- Multilingual e-Collaboration: Transposing Current Affairs
- Understanding Culture: Arabic/Chinese/Francophone/Hispanic Studies in Focus
- Computer-assisted Translation, Machine Translation, and Post-editing
- Final Year Project
- Towards Professional Translation
- Mediation in International Contexts
- Professionalising International Communication
- Themes in Contemporary Arabic Studies
- Themes in Contemporary Chinese Studies
- Themes in Contemporary French and Francophone Studies
- Themes in Contemporary Hispanic Studies
- Identities on the Move: Arabic/Chinese/Francophone/Hispanic Studies in Focus
- Multilingualism in Society: Theory and Practice
- Sex Strike: Gender and Protest
- Work Placement for Humanities
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Languages and Translation with Foundation at University of Westminster earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £23,500 after 3 years, £28,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,000 and £36,500. The £28,500 median after five years is £4,500 less than the UK median for Language and area studies (other).
What do graduates of BA Languages and Translation with Foundation at University of Westminster do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Languages and Translation with Foundation at University of Westminster?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Languages and Translation with Foundation at University of Westminster?
The typical offer is DEE at A level. The average entrant had 104 UCAS points.
Does BA Languages and Translation with Foundation at University of Westminster include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Languages and Translation with Foundation at University of Westminster?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.