heriot-watt university has been teaching languages for a professional purpose for over 50 years. we were ranked as the number 1 university in scotland for modern languages in the national student survey 2018 with the highest overall student satisfaction. we also gained the highest ranking in scotland for employability from modern languages in the guardian university rankings 2019. ma (hons) applied modern languages and translating allows you to study chinese and french to degree level and spend a year abroad on placement at two of heriot-watt university's partner universities, immersed in french and german languages and cultures. this degree focuses on practical language skills, communication studies, european studies and linguistics/ translation studies. you will be introduced to interpreting in state-of-the-art booths which mirror the united nations and european parliament and learn translation skills in language labs with professional-standard cat tools. students with only one language at post-higher/a-level follow an accelerated intensive language course during year 1 and join the mainstream language courses from year 2. in year 3 you study abroad, immersed in your chosen languages and cultures and in year 4 you are given flexibility to tailor your studies to your personal interest and strengths. **accreditation** the department of languages and intercultural studies is a member of the institute of translation and interpreting (iti). we are also official higher education partner of the chartered institute of linguists – a professional body that maintains the highest standards for practising interpreters and translators: chartered institute of linguists in addition, we are founding members of ciuti, the world’s oldest and most prestigious international association of universities who train interpreters and translators: ciuti.