Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in Translation Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Translation Studies is a four-year degree programme offered at St. Paul's University through the School of Theology. The programme prepares professional translators and interpreters with expertise to meet the present and future demands of translation in various fields including religion, tourism, business, law, health, and politics.

The curriculum covers translation theory, conference interpreting, translation of sacred literature, business documents, medical documents, legal documents, children's literature, and multimedia information. Students study translation languages including English with French, Kiswahili, Arabic, Biblical Greek, or Biblical Hebrew.

Students develop competencies in translation techniques, interpreting skills, cross-cultural communication, linguistic analysis, terminology management, and computer-assisted translation tools. The programme combines lectures, practical translation exercises, interpreting practice, and field attachment.

Graduates pursue careers as translators, interpreters, language teachers, linguistic consultants, and communication specialists. They find employment in international organisations, government departments, publishing houses, NGOs, churches, courts, and translation agencies across Kenya and internationally.

The programme is offered at St. Paul's University (private, KSH 159,400 per year) at the Limuru campus and Nairobi campus, with full-time and part-time study modes. The university is accredited by the Commission for University Education and offers a unique programme not widely available in Kenya.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with a C+ in English, consistent with CUE minimum university entry requirements.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 171,400
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Translation Theory
Conference Interpreting
Translation of Sacred Literature
Legal Translation
Medical Translation
Business Translation
Literary Translation
Linguistic Analysis
Cross-Cultural Communication
Computer-Assisted Translation

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Translation Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts and theories of translation studies. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Linguistic Analysis for Translation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Linguistic Analysis for Translation: Linguistic principles and analysis techniques applied to translation. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Translation Languages I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Translation Languages I: Study of source and target languages including English, Kiswahili, and French. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Cross-Cultural Communication
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Cross-Cultural Communication: Principles of communicating across cultural and linguistic boundaries. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Translation of Sacred Literature
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Techniques for translating biblical and religious texts. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Conference Interpreting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Conference Interpreting: Simultaneous and consecutive interpreting techniques for conferences. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Legal Translation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Translation of legal documents and court interpreting. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, ...
Medical and Business Translation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Medical and Business Translation: Translation of medical and business documents with domain-specific terminology. Covers clinical principles, patient care protocols, and evidence-based practice.
Computer-Assisted Translation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Computer-Assisted Translation: Use of CAT tools and technology in professional translation. Includes practical programming exercises, algorithm design, and system implementation.
Literary and Multimedia Translation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Literary and Multimedia Translation: Translation of literary works, children's literature, and multimedia content. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Translation Practicum
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Translation Practicum: Supervised translation and interpreting attachment with a partner organisation. Provides hands-on industry experience, mentorship, and professional skills development.
Research Project in Translation
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project on a translation studies topic. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...

Specialisations

Translation Theory
Focus on the theoretical foundations and principles of translation. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Conference Interpreting
Focus on simultaneous and consecutive interpreting for conferences and meetings. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Sacred Literature Translation
Focus on translating religious and biblical texts. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Legal Translation
Focus on translating legal documents and court interpreting. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Medical Translation
Focus on translating medical and health-related documents. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Business Translation
Focus on translating business and commercial documents. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Literary Translation
Focus on translating literary works including children's literature. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Multimedia Translation
Focus on translating multimedia content and digital information. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, practical translation exercises, and interpreting practice. Morning sessions cover translation theory, linguistic analysis, and terminology management, while afternoons focus on hands-on translation of documents, conference interpreting simulations, and computer-assisted translation tools. Students work with multiple languages including English, Kiswahili, French, and Arabic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Unique programme not widely available in Kenya, creating niche career opportunities.
Programme covers diverse translation domains including legal, medical, business, and sacred literature.
Kenya's role as a regional hub for international organisations creates demand for translators and interpreters.
Programme includes practical translation exercises, interpreting practice, and field attachment.

Against it

Programme is only offered at one private university, limiting institutional choice.
Job market demand is niche and relatively small compared to broader fields.
Private university fees are higher than government-subsidised public university rates.
Programme requires aptitude for multiple languages, which can be challenging for some students.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private171k to 171k

171k at St. Paul's University171k at St. Paul's University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 153K, UoN 189K/yr. St Paul's 85.7K/sem=171.4K/yr. MKU unverified.

St. Paul's University offers scholarships to qualifying students. HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
St. Paul's University Scholarships

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
St. Paul's University Scholarship
University scholarshipKenyan
Qualifying students based on academic merit and financial need.
Bible Society of Kenya Translation Grants
Organisation grantKenyan
Students pursuing Bible translation studies may be eligible for grants from partner organisations.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in English; OR KACE (A level) with a minimum of two principal passes; OR a diploma in a related area with at least a credit pass in English from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, translation assignments, and terminology exercises.
Practical Translation and Interpreting
Practical30% of the mark
Practical translation exercises, interpreting simulations, and oral presentations.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering translation theory, language proficiency, and domain translation.
Translation Practicum
Project100% of the mark
Final-year supervised translation practicum including portfolio, report, and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Translator
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Translates written documents across languages in various domains.
Interpreter
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides simultaneous or consecutive interpreting for conferences and meetings.
Language Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Teaches languages in schools, colleges, or language institutes.
Editor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Edits and reviews translated materials for accuracy and fluency.
Bible Translation Specialist
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Works with Bible societies and mission organisations on scripture translation projects.
Communication Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Manages cross-cultural communication for international organisations and NGOs.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as translators, interpreters, and language teachers in international organisations, government, publishing, and NGOs. Demand is niche but growing with Kenya's role as a regional hub.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SDL Trados Studio
Cat toolsPrimary
Computer-assisted translation tool for professional translators.
memoQ
Cat tools
Alternative CAT tool for translation memory and terminology management.
Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Productivity suite for document creation and translation work.
Google Translate
Machine translation
Machine translation tool used as a reference, not a replacement for professional translation.
Terminology Management Tools
Terminology
Tools for managing glossaries and terminology databases.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Translation studies is just about knowing two languages.
The programme covers translation theory, interpreting techniques, terminology management, and specialised domain translation.
Translators are being replaced by machine translation.
Professional translators are still needed for accurate, nuanced, and culturally appropriate translations, especially in legal, medical, and sacred text contexts.
Translation graduates can only work as translators.
Graduates also work as interpreters, language teachers, editors, communication specialists, and cultural consultants.
Translation studies is only for those interested in religious texts.
The programme covers business, legal, medical, literary, and multimedia translation in addition to sacred literature.