You will be taught and supervised by international scholars with a wide range of expertise. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework over 75% of our research in the Department of Modern Languages was judged to be ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
What we teach
Our translation modules blend theory and practice to offer a solid foundation in core translation skills as well as avenues for exploring individual interests.
Birmingham’s group of high-profile translation researchers, trainers and practising professionals have extensive expertise in a wide range of areas. Research strengths include: literary translation and reception; translation history; translation stylistics; corpus-based translation studies; translation and language change; adaptation; gender issues in translation; news translation; collaborative and self-translation; intercultural pragmatics; and interpreting studies.
Our staff have written and contributed to the most prestigious reference works in the field. These include the Routledge Encyclopaedia of Translation Studies, Research Methodologies in Translation Studies, and the Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Translation Studies. We have strong links with other departments in the University of Birmingham, including English Literature, English Language and Linguistics, Classics, and the Shakespeare Institute.
How we teach
This is an exciting time for Translation Studies at Birmingham, as we have built a brand new state-of-the-art Interpreting Suite (which opened in January 2018). This development features cutting-edge technology similar to the United Nations, and will therefore prove to be a valuable student resource for the practical application of interpreting and translating.
Translation training is delivered from undergraduate to PhD level. We offer excellent facilities for both training and research. These include a well-supplied library with a particularly strong provision of e-resources and a postgraduate study space with access to translation software and a large range of corpora.
Learn more
For more information about studying French, German, Hispanic/ Spanish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Catalan, English as a Modern Foreign Language and/ or Translation at Birmingham visit:
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)
