Languages and Translation Studies

Our Languages and Translation Studies research degree offered at Cardiff University aims to offer knowledge and expertise in subject-specific and generic skills, qualifying you for both academic and non-academic positions in a variety of organisations.

Distinctive features

• The School of Modern Languages is home to a group of researchers whose interests span ten different language areas, with a strong emphasis on the transnational dimensions of contemporary cultural, social and political issues.
• The work of our researchers covers a wide range of disciplines, including literary and visual studies, translation, multilingualism, critical theory, memory studies, history, social movements, and politics and policymaking.
• Our work is organised around three key thematic groupings, which all present regular research events: history and heritage, global language based area studies, and transnational cultural and visual studies.
• PhD students are fully integrated into our research community. Seminars and events organised by our research groups give students the opportunity to interact with a wide range of academic staff on topics relevant to their research, broadening the experience of the students. Our students are supervised by a team of at least two members of academic staff and regular meetings monitor progress and develop the timetable for the completion of the PhD. Students present their research at the twice-yearly Research in Completion events, which provides detailed individual feedback from a panel of academic staff.
• Full-time students are expected to devote at least 39 hours per week for 46 weeks a year to their PhD work (part-time 21 hours per week). Research students will need to produce and submit a thesis which will be examined by an oral examination.

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Programme Structure

Research topics, include:

• History and memory
• Culture and identity
• Languages and translation Studies
• Global area studies
• History and ideologies
• Conflict and development
• Literary and textual studies

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Admission requirements

Academic requirements

GPA: Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL iBT: 100

PTE Academic: 76

IELTS: 7

Other requirements

General requirements

• The normal requirement for admission to all Research programmes in the School is a 2:1 (upper second class) degree award, or the overseas equivalent, in a relevant subject.
• However, we consider all individual applicants on their specific merits. If you do not have the standard qualifications for the course you may still apply and your application will be considered. Interviews may be conducted to identify and assess the academic merit of prospective students.
• Applicants may be requested to submit their master’s dissertation or other appropriate research writing for review. Applicants may be interviewed.
• Applicants are also required to submit a Research Proposal (word limit/suggested length: 2,000-3,000 words).

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Fees and funding

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International: 50,857 AUD / year (≈ 26,700 GBP / year)

Domestic: 9,535 AUD / year (≈ 5,006 GBP / year)

Additional Details

Part-time tuition fees: £2,503

Living costs

Cardiff, United Kingdom: 1,196-2,030 AUD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Scholarships

Available Scholarships

• Fulbright-Cardiff University scholarship - Provided by university, Grant, Various benefits, Deadline 07 Oct 2026, Merit-based, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
• Cardiff University Marshall Scholarship - Provided by university, Grant, Various benefits, Deadline Not specified, Merit-based, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program - Independent provider, Grant, Deadline 07 Oct 2026, U.S. government
• ServiceScape Scholarship - Independent provider, Grant, 1000 USD, Deadline 30 Nov 2026, ServiceScape
• ACES Scholarships - Independent provider, Grant, 3500 USD, Deadline 15 Nov 2026, ACES Education Fund
• Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility - Independent provider, Grant, Various benefits, Deadline Not specified, Merit-based, OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
• Scholarships for PhD Students - Independent provider, Grant, 19000 GBP, Deadline Not specified, Merit-based, Junhua Li
• Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship - Independent provider, Grant, Various benefits, Deadline 28 Feb 2027, Merit-based, Boustany Foundation
• $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship - Independent provider, Grant, 1000 USD, Deadline 31 Oct 2026, Merit-based, IvyPanda
• Voice Talent Online Scholarship - Independent provider, Grant, 1000 USD, Deadline 01 Mar 2027, Voice Talent Online
• Women Scholarship for International Students - Independent provider, Grant, 5000 USD, Deadline 28 Aug 2026, Merit-based, educations.com
• The PhD Prep Fellowship - Independent provider, Grant, 10000 USD, Deadline 01 Sep 2026, Merit-based, Admit Lab
• Dream Chaser Scholarship - Independent provider, Grant, 1000 USD, Deadline 13 Jan 2027, Merit-based, Salvado Law
• Scholarship for students with disabilities - Independent provider, Grant, 3000 USD, Deadline 31 Dec 2026, Need-based, Anonymous Hope Fund
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids - Independent provider, Grant, 22500 GBP, Deadline Not specified, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
• Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria - Independent provider, Grant, Various benefits, Deadline 31 Dec 2026, Need-based, Leopold Figl Foundation
• The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship - Independent provider, Grant, 1500 USD, Deadline Not specified, IELTS from 6 to 9
• Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme - Independent provider, Grant, 12000 USD, Deadline 11 Jan 2027, The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme