Applied Language & Translation Studies
The BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies (ALTS) is a unique degree that aims to prepare a new generation of translators and language professionals for global career opportunities. You will study two foreign languages with exciting combinations that include Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish. Plus this dynamic degree allows you to explore the principles behind language, culture, translation and intercultural communication.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Dublin City University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Dublin City University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 or 4* years, full-time.
*Students need to fulfil criteria in order to participate in the year-long study abroad or INTRA placement.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
General Entry Requirements
Applicants must present a minimum of 6 Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6/H7, which must include Mathematics and English or Irish. In addition, applicants must present at least 2 subjects at Grade H5.
Additional Requirements
Minimum of H4 in French, German or Spanish.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Applicants wishing to undertake a Level 8 degree at DCU must be at least 16 years of age on 15 January of the year of entry.
Leaving Certificate Subject Combinations
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects that are similar in content. In each case, the highest individual grade will be scored. The following 6 groups of subjects are affected by this:
1 Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B.
2 Economics, Agricultural Economics.
3 Physics with Chemistry - if combined with Physics and Chemistry; only 2 best scored - if combined with Physics or Chemistry; only best scored.
4 History, Economics and Economic History - if all 3 subjects are taken; only the best 2 will be scored.
5 Latin, Classical Studies.
6 Greek, Classical Studies.
Candidates who meet the points requirements but not the specific course requirements, for example H4 in English for the BA in Journalism, are permitted to repeat that subject only to meet the course requirements.
Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for higher level Mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level. However, these courses will be accepted for admission purposes for the following courses:
DC001 - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
DC009 - Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours
DC014 - BA in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance
DC131 - BA in Communication Studies
DC132 - BA in Journalism
DC133 - BSc in Multimedia
DC155 - BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies
DC231 - BA in International Relations
DC232 - Bachelor of Civil Law and Society
DC235 - BSc in Education and Training
DC238 - BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation
DC291 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Media)
DC292 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Law)
DC293 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (International Languages)
DC294 - BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability
DC295 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Politics)
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Please note that LCVP link modules cannot be used as a subject for general or specific course entry requirements, but can be used for the calculation of points.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
DCU welcomes applicants with appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5/6) qualifications. Applicants who have a full National Framework of Qualifications Level 5 award in appropriate qualifications and modules can be admitted on a competitive basis to certain DCU courses.
QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route is a competitive entry route with a limited number of places. A quota of places are offered based on the CAO ranked order of applicants based on performance. For courses with a QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route, approximately 10% of places are retained for QQI-FET (Level 5) applicants. Application is made through the CAO.
Careers / Further progression
Future Careers
Translator
Mediator between Cultural Groups
Editor
Terminologist
Educator
Researcher
In These Areas
EU Institutions
International Organisations
Public Service
Education
Look online (website details below) for more information about future careers in your chosen field.
Further information
Mature applicants are those aged 23 years, or above, on 1 January in the year of entry. All candidates (presenting with EU/Non EU qualifications) applying on the grounds of mature years should apply ONLY through the CAO by 1 February.
For many DCU courses, mature application assessment is based on the CAO application and in some instances, an assessment and/or interview. ‘Other’ experience, apart from performance in examinations, may be taken into consideration - this may be work experience, further studies, or other such experience deemed to be relevant to the application. Interviews will take place in April either in person or remotely.
For more information, please contact the Mature Student Officer, orla.stafford@dcu.ie or dcu.ie/mature-students
For general and admission enquiries, please visit dcu.ie/registry/ug-admissions
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Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Why DCU?
- Open up global career opportunities with two languages
- Gain a broad base of language, linguistics, cultural and translation studies knowledge
- Use multimedia texts and software applications to enhance your translation skills
- Spend a full academic year at a partner university abroad or on a work placement (INTRA)
- Gain top-quality language, translation and intercultural skills to meet the demand at home or abroad
About You
If you have a passion for languages, wish to reach high levels of proficiency in your chosen languages and are interested in exploring the field of translation, this course is for you.
Understanding: Applied Language and Translation Studies (ALTS)
This is a unique degree in Irish higher education that aims to prepare a new generation of translators and language professionals for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. You will study 2 foreign languages with exciting combinations that include Chinese, French, German, Japanese or Spanish.
This dynamic degree allows you to explore the principles behind language, culture, translation and intercultural communication through a broad range of stimulating and innovative modules. You will use digital resources, and you will develop critical and creative thinking.
You will acquire professional and academic competencies as a linguist and a translator, allowing you to compete in the national and international marketplace. You will also acquire significant technical skills as you work with multimedia texts and a variety of software applications used by translators. The degree is delivered by experts in the field and has been running successfully for over 30 years.
This is an all-round course that equips you with the necessary skills while allowing you to enjoy your passion for languages.
Course Structure
The languages available on the BA in Applied Languages and Translation Studies are:
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Spanish
You will select two languages from Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish as well as foundation modules in linguistics, culture and translation studies. You will take either two intermediate languages, or one intermediate and one beginner-level language. You will have the possibility to focus on one of your chosen languages from Year 3 of your degree, if you wish to do so.
Please note that Chinese and Japanese are offered at beginner level only (students with Leaving Certificate Japanese take two intermediate Japanese modules in Year 1). French is offered at intermediate level only. German and Spanish can be taken at either intermediate or beginner levels. If you are unsure of the language level or language combination that you should apply for, contact us for advice.
Year Abroad
Studying abroad provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the culture of another country and greatly enhances your language skills. Those who meet certain criteria and wish to go abroad will spend Year 4 studying at one of our partner universities. In Year 3 you will conduct independent research for your dissertation and take courses in languages and translation that will provide you with a strong foundation to make the most of your time abroad. For more information, please visit dcu.ie/placement/study-overseas
INTRA
Alternatively in Year 4, you may opt to apply for a year-long paid work placement in Year 3. This will give you a unique opportunity to enhance your CV, increase your employability and experience the relevance of your study in the real world. This option is competitive and subject to the availability of placements. For more information, please visit dcu.ie/intra
Internship: Yes.
What Will I Study?
Year 1
2 intermediate languages or 1 beginner and 1 intermediate language.
In addition to your language modules other modules include:
Introduction to Translation Studies | Introduction to the Study of Language | Introduction to Translation Practice | Chinese/Japanese Culture and Society | French/German/Spanish Society and Literature
Year 2
2 intermediate languages or 1 beginner and 1 intermediate language.
In addition to your language modules other modules include:
Introduction to Text Analysis | Chinese/ French/German/Japanese/Spanish Literature and Film | Chinese/French/ German/Japanese/Spanish Translation Practice | Introduction to Terminology | Computer-Aided Translation
Year 3
Continue with your 2 chosen languages or focus on 1. In addition to your language modules, other modules include:
Dissertation (independent research) | Theoretical Approaches to Translation | Translation Multimedia | Chinese/French/ German/Japanese/Spanish Economic Translation | Chinese/French/German/ Japanese/Spanish Technical Translation | Community Interpreting Theory and Practice | Sexualities Languages and Societies | The Language of Business and The Media Across Cultures
You have the option to graduate with a degree after completing Year 3 of this course*
Year 4
Year abroad at a partner university*: Follow the partner university’s academic courses
OR
Opportunity to complete a year-long work placement (INTRA)
* Students need to fulfil criteria in order to participate in the year-long study abroad or INTRA programme.
Additional Information
The degree also provides a strong foundation for further study.
Contact Details
Tel: +353 (0) 1 700 5810
E: ryoko.sasamoto@dcu.ie
E: studenthelp@dcu.ie
Visit Us Online dcu.ie/DC155