The Translation Programme offers a BA (Hons.) in Translation with the aim to “educate bilingual and bicultural communicators for professional translation and language careers”. Teachers of the Programme share with students their expertise in academic research, their experience of frontline fieldwork in interlingual and intercultural communication, and their pedagogic vision. Students are thus prepared to meet the cultural, socio-political and economic needs of the local community, as well as those of a rapidly developing China.

The BA in Translation provides a strong mix of both academic intellectual training and professionally-oriented practice. It offers a range of specialist options such as Computer-Aided Translation, Spanish-Chinese Translation, Literary translation, Media Translation, Legal Translation, Scientific-Technological Translation, and different forms of Interpreting. In their final year, all students undertake a one-year Honours Project. This involves an extended translation of 10,000 words, plus critical commentary, or alternatively a research project of similar length. The BA also incorporates a one-semester project-based internship – see further below.

Unique Features

From its inception in 1990, the HKBU Translation Programme distinguished itself from other university translation programmes by incorporating an internship (known as Placement) component in its curriculum. It is undertaken as a 3-credit ‘course’ during one semester, on an hourly or project-based arrangement that allows students to complete the Placement alongside other, regular courses during the semester. The Programme has a longstanding and extensive network of employer contacts from the translation and interpreting industries, so is ideally placed to help students find the option that works best for them.

Student Learning Experiences

In addition to the internship mentioned above, students also have the possibility to go on exchange for a semester. The University has a wide range of possible exchange partner institutions to choose from.

Career Opportunities

With a translation degree in hand, students are well-equipped for a whole variety of jobs. In addition to translation and interpreting of all kinds, the Programme’s students have gone into a range of professions that demand advanced proficiency in bilingual communication and expert intercultural competence. They have found jobs as court interpreters, government translators, PR managers and news reporters. Others have gone into fields such as arts management, magazine journalism, bilingual editing, foreign diplomacy and marketing.

Remarks

1) ^Subject to annual review and University's approval.