From the vantage point of user studies and the information literacy paradigm, a case study was conducted (at the Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain) to analyse the information behaviour of first-year Translation trainees. The study takes into account what it is like to be a university student in the digital age, in order to investigate how they find, evaluate and use information for their course work. The study is located within the qualitative paradigm (using a semi-structured task to obtain direct data from the student body). A number of needs and weaknesses are identified within the student group as regards their information behaviour. It is hoped that this study will serve as a basis for the design and subsequent implementation of Information Literacy programmes specific to this interdisciplinary field.