Translation Studies - Study Translation at a Top UK University
Translation Studies deals with the theory, description, and application of translation; studying Translation provides excellent training for careers in the language services industry. At the University of Exeter, Translation Studies is housed within the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Visual Studies; our dynamic academic and research staff have expertise in literary translation, translation in history, and translation across area studies including gender, postcolonialism, culture, and migration.
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Top 10 for Modern Languages in the UK
Top 10 for all languages in the Complete University Guide 2025
Top 150 worldwide for Modern Languages
QS World University Subject Rankings 2025
1st in the UK for research impact
Joint 1st for world-leading or internationally excellent research, REF 2021
Discover Translation Studies at the University of Exeter
Translation is at the very heart of the teaching and research taking place within the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Visual Studies, and is taught at the University of Exeter at Masters (MA Translation Studies) and Doctoral (MPhil/PhD Translation Studies) levels. It also forms a key part of our undergraduate courses including BA Comparative Literatures and Cultures and BA Comparative Literatures and Modern Languages.
Our Translation Studies students have a dedicated space for study and collaborative work in the Language Centre. This reserved space also gives you access to computers with translation memory software and Computer-assisted Translation (CAT) tools including SDL Trados 2017, MemoQ, Star Group Transit and Omega-T.
We also facilitate a broad range of extra-curricular activities for students to get involved in:
- Opportunity to attend Venice International University's 'Linguistic Landscapes: Using Signs and Symbols to Translate Cities' summer school.
- Attend our Translation! Festival, held in Exeter. First come, first served basis and free of charge.
What is Translation Studies?
Translation Studies is the field of study that deals with the theory, description, and application of translation. Because it examines translation not only as inter-lingual transfer but also as intercultural communication, it can also be described as an inter-discipline which touches on other diverse fields of knowledge, including comparative literature, cultural studies, gender studies, computer science, history, linguistics, philosophy, rhetoric, and semiotics.
Find out more about Translation Studies, including the history of Translation Studies, what it involves, and Translation as an academic discipline.
Why is Translation Studies important?
The skills of translation are becoming ever more important and desirable. Today’s multicultural and multilingual society demands effective, efficient, and empathetic communication between languages and cultures. Translation Studies enable a more global economy and a better spread of information and ideas, empowering academia and improving social harmony. You can explore the importance of Translation Studies further here.
Career options - how much do Translators earn?
Career and employment prospects are a critical motivation for studying at University, and this is no different for students on Translation Studies courses. The most common career path for Translation Studies graduates is as a freelance or in-house translator. Earnings for translators in the UK vary highly - we have looked at average earnings across the translation industry and key variables here. Many students also go on to further academic study.
Why choose the University of Exeter?
We offer world-class education and research with outstanding student satisfaction, committed to working with our students to make the world greener, healthier, and fairer. With beautiful, green campuses in Devon and Cornwall, we offer a unique opportunity to study in one of the most stunning parts of the UK.
As a member of the Russell Group, we are committed to maintaining the very best internationally recognised research, and translating our research into an outstanding teaching and learning experience. Our excellence is recognised by organisations worldwide, with Exeter graduates in the UK's top 10 for most targeted by leading employers*.
* The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research