Dean’s Message

On behalf of the School of Translation and Foreign Languages, I would like to offer a very warm welcome to all students, potential students and other visitors to our website. In the pages presented here you will find detailed and up-to-date information about the programmes we offer and the other activities in which we are involved. Needless to say, it is our constant aim to ensure the highest level of quality and relevance for the programmes that we offer.

The world in which we live is undergoing profound changes. Most significant in the 2020s is the advent of highly accessible generative AI, a development that is having a deep impact on many professions. For those in the language industry, the effects of the new technology are probably analogous with the arrival of the world-wide web in the early 1990s and the sudden availability of free high-quality machine translation from the middle of the 2010s. Over the last few years in particular, translation services have been undergoing a far-reaching transformation, with the technology that has been rolled out over the last ten years or so making it possible to translate a volume of material that was not previously conceivable, while still leaving an essential role for human professionals. Students in our school are being empowered to ride this wave and are equipped with an understanding of this technology that will allow them to succeed in the professional area of their choice.

Indeed, translation is no longer just a question of manually converting a text in one language into another. While this is probably still an important underlying skill, the School of Translation and Foreign Languages offers an exciting diversity of courses and possible pathways to its students. For example, students on our Bachelor of Translation with Business can specialize to varying degrees in interpreting, technology including AI and localization, and the acquisition of a foreign language (including ASEAN, Middle Eastern and European). At MA level, our Master of Arts in Translation (Business and Legal) and Master of Arts in Translation (Computer-Aided Translation) offer similar levels of specialization in different areas.

In all our programmes we maintain a commitment to quality education, focusing on providing first-rate, innovative educational programmes that are kept updated in response to the latest developments. We facilitate the integration of real-world involvement through the inclusion of practical work experience, study-abroad opportunities and hands-on learning projects. Much of the teaching takes place in the School’s technology and interpreting facilities, while a high level of personalized attention and interaction is ensured through the close guidance of our dedicated teaching staff. All in all, we are totally committed to helping our students to become well-rounded professionals equipped with the skills that are essential to ensure their success in the job market.

In closing, may I welcome you once again to our website and our School and invite you to contact us with any questions or feedback you may have.

Professor Mark Shuttleworth
Dean, School of Translation and Foreign Languages