BA in Translation Studies and History of Art and Visual Culture with a Year Abroad, Royal Holloway University of London

48 Months

Check Eligibility

About this course

This four-year degree course at Royal Holloway is designed for students interested in developing practical translation skills while engaging with the history of art and visual culture. It combines language fluency in French, German, Italian, or Spanish with critical analysis of artworks across different periods and cultural contexts. Throughout the course, you'll learn how to speak, write, and translate professionally in your chosen language, while also gaining a solid grounding in art history and visual culture. The program offers a unique opportunity to spend your third year abroad, studying or working in a country where your target language is spoken, which broadens your cultural and linguistic horizons. By graduation, you'll be proficient in your language, capable of analysis, and well-versed in theories and practices of translation, all within a supportive, internationally minded academic community.

Why this course is highly recommended

This program stands out because of its combination of practical language skills and critical engagement with visual arts. The inclusion of a year abroad provides invaluable real-world experience, helping students develop intercultural competency and confidence in their language use. Royal Holloway's research quality in modern languages is highly regarded, and the course offers flexible modules, professional translation training, and opportunities to study or work internationally, making graduates highly employable across a range of sectors including media, arts, education, and international business.

Specialisation

The course allows specialization in translation skills alongside the study of History of Art and Visual Culture. Students focus on developing fluency in one of the offered languages—French, German, Italian, or Spanish—while also engaging deeply with artworks, film, and visual media from various cultural and historical periods.

Course fees

Application fees

1st year tuition fees

27.34L

Living cost

Degree requirements

Applicants need at least five GCSEs at grade A*-C, including English and Maths. For A-levels, a minimum of BBB-BBC is required, with at least one language A-level (French, German, Italian, or Spanish). For the advanced pathways, a grade B in your chosen language is necessary. International students must meet specific English language requirements, such as an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a 7.0 in writing.

English language test

IELTS

6.5

TOEFL

PTE

DUOLINGO

120

Want to learn more about the admission process, eligibility criteria, and acceptance rates for international students? Visit the Royal Holloway University of London admission page for complete details.

Career prospects

Graduates of this course are equipped with excellent communication, analytical, and translation skills, making them attractive to employers in international business, media, arts, law translation, consultancy, teaching, and travel sectors. Many have entered fields like management, consultancy, publishing, banking, politics, civil service, and tourism. The strong cultural and language skills gained also support further studies or careers that involve intercultural communication and translation.

FAQs

What is the duration of the course?

The full-time program lasts four years, with a three-year option available for the standard degree without the year abroad.

What languages can I study?

You can choose to develop fluency in French, German, Italian, or Spanish, with modules tailored to each language’s cultural and linguistic features.

Is there a year abroad included?

Yes, in your third year, you will have the opportunity to spend time studying or working abroad in a country where your target language is spoken.