Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in Biblical Translation Studies

The Master of Arts in Biblical Translation Studies is a two-year postgraduate programme offered by Africa International University through the Languages, Linguistics, and Translation Department of the School of Education, Arts, and Social Sciences. The programme provides professional development for practising translators, translation project leaders, and translation consultants involved in the translation of the Bible and related material.

The programme integrates training in biblical languages, exegesis, translation principles, consulting, translation project management, and areas of linguistics directly relevant to Bible translation. Students develop competence in both the theoretical foundations and practical skills required for high-quality biblical translation work.

The programme offers two tracks and is delivered through a blended format combining residential sessions in Nairobi with online courses. Students attend five residential sessions of approximately three weeks each, taking two courses per session for a total of ten residential courses, plus fifteen online courses and practical assignments.

Africa International University, located in Nairobi, is a pan-African Christian university with strong connections to Bible translation organisations including SIL International and Wycliffe Bible Translators. The programme is designed for translators working across Africa and beyond, allowing students to remain based in their home countries while completing coursework.

The programme is specifically designed for those involved in or preparing for Bible translation work, including translation project leaders, consultants-in-training, and linguists working with minority languages. Biblical language courses in Greek or Hebrew are integral to the curriculum.

Graduates are prepared for careers as Bible translation consultants, translation project managers, linguistic consultants, and translation advisors with Bible translation organisations, churches, and mission agencies across Africa and globally.

Skills Required

Biblical Translation Principles
Biblical Greek and Hebrew
Biblical Exegesis
Translation Project Management
Linguistic Analysis for Translation
Translation Consulting and Quality Assurance
Cross-Cultural Communication
Semantic and Pragmatic Analysis
Translation Technology and Tools
Research Methods in Translation Studies

Key Subjects

Biblical Translation Principles
Biblical Greek
Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Exegesis
Translation Project Management
Linguistic Analysis for Translation
Semantic and Pragmatic Analysis
Translation Consulting
Scripture Engagement
Research Methods in Translation Studies

Certifications

SIL Translation Consultant Certification
Wycliffe Bible Translators Membership

Specializations

Biblical Translation Consulting

Focuses on developing the skills needed to serve as a translation consultant, including quality assurance, exegesis, and translation checking.

Translation Project Management

Covers management of Bible translation projects including planning, team coordination, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery.

Biblical Languages

Focuses on advanced study of biblical Greek or Hebrew for translation work, including exegesis and textual analysis.

Linguistics for Translation

Examines linguistic theory and analysis methods directly relevant to Bible translation, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.

Orality and Translation

Covers translation for oral cultures, including oral Bible storytelling, audio translation, and oral communication strategies.

Scripture Engagement

Focuses on strategies for promoting engagement with translated Scripture in target language communities.

Minority Language Development

Examines language development work including orthography design, literacy materials, and language documentation alongside translation.

Translation Technology

Covers the use of translation software, corpus tools, and digital resources in Bible translation projects.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Modular
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Biblical Translation Principles
Biblical Greek
Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Exegesis
Translation Project Management
Linguistic Analysis for Translation
Semantic and Pragmatic Analysis
Translation Consulting
Scripture Engagement
Research Methods in Translation Studies

Modules

10 in the programme

Biblical Translation Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines foundational principles of Bible translation including equivalence theory, meaning-based translation, and translation accuracy assessment.
Introduction to Biblical Greek
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers foundational Greek grammar, vocabulary, and reading skills for New Testament translation work.
Linguistic Analysis for Translation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics with direct application to translation challenges in African languages.
Biblical Exegesis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers principles and methods of biblical exegesis including textual analysis, historical context, and interpretation for translation.
Translation Project Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines management of Bible translation projects including planning, team coordination, stakeholder engagement, budgeting, and project delivery.
Semantic and Pragmatic Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers semantic theory and pragmatic analysis methods for understanding meaning in source and target languages for translation purposes.
Translation Consulting and Quality Assurance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops skills for translation consulting including checking procedures, quality assessment, and providing feedback to translation teams.
Scripture Engagement
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Examines strategies for promoting engagement with translated Scripture in target language communities, including literacy, oral approaches, and cultural contextualisation.
Research Methods in Translation Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for conducting original research in translation studies.
Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a biblical translation or translation studies topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Biblical Translation Consulting
Focuses on developing the skills needed to serve as a translation consultant, including quality assurance, exegesis, and translation checking.
Translation Project Management
Covers management of Bible translation projects including planning, team coordination, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery.
Biblical Languages
Focuses on advanced study of biblical Greek or Hebrew for translation work, including exegesis and textual analysis.
Linguistics for Translation
Examines linguistic theory and analysis methods directly relevant to Bible translation, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
Orality and Translation
Covers translation for oral cultures, including oral Bible storytelling, audio translation, and oral communication strategies.
Scripture Engagement
Focuses on strategies for promoting engagement with translated Scripture in target language communities.
Minority Language Development
Examines language development work including orthography design, literacy materials, and language documentation alongside translation.
Translation Technology
Covers the use of translation software, corpus tools, and digital resources in Bible translation projects.

A day as a student

A typical day during residential sessions in Nairobi involves intensive lectures on translation principles, biblical exegesis, or linguistic analysis. Students engage in translation exercises working with biblical texts in Greek or Hebrew, participate in peer review of translation drafts, and discuss case studies from ongoing translation projects across Africa. During online phases, students complete coursework remotely from their home countries, submitting assignments, participating in virtual discussions, and applying learning to their ongoing translation work. Those in the thesis phase conduct research on a translation-related topic, often connected to their field assignment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme is specifically designed for Bible translation professionals, integrating biblical languages, linguistics, and translation management.
Blended delivery format with residential sessions in Nairobi and online coursework allows students to remain based in their home countries.
Strong connections to major Bible translation organisations including SIL International and Wycliffe Bible Translators provide practical experience and career pathways.
Africa International University is a pan-African Christian university with a multicultural environment enriching the translation learning experience.

Against it

Programme is relatively expensive at KES 485,550 total for a private university, though comparable to other specialised postgraduate programmes.
Only one institution offers this exact programme in Kenya, limiting choice.
Residential sessions require travel to Nairobi, which may be costly and logistically challenging for students from other African countries.
Career opportunities are primarily within Bible translation organisations, which may have limited positions and rely on donor funding.

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

Public171k to 221k

171k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private190k to 191k

190k at Tangaza University191k at Africa International 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

UoN 220.5K, AIU 191K, Tangaza 190K/yr verified. Maseno unverified.

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, SIL International scholarships for translation workers, and Wycliffe Bible Translators funding for those committed to Bible translation careers.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
SIL International Scholarships
Wycliffe Bible Translators Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
SIL International Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 400,000
Translation workers and linguists involved in Bible translation projects, particularly for minority languages.
Wycliffe Bible Translaters Funding
ScholarshipKsh 400,000
Individuals committed to Bible translation careers, particularly those working with unreached language groups.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Applicants without a first degree may be admitted in exceptional cases if they can demonstrate through research and academic work that they are qualified to undertake postgraduate study, subject to regulatory body requirements. Applicants without relevant BA-level courses may be required to take introductory courses in addition to regular MA courses.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Translation exercises, exegetical assignments, linguistic analyses, seminar presentations, and project work conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering course content, including translation analysis, exegetical questions, and linguistic problem-solving.
Biblical Language Examinations
Examination100% of the mark
Proficiency examinations in biblical Greek or Hebrew, held at the start of residential sessions, testing reading, grammar, and translation competence.
Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a biblical translation or translation studies topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by Africa International University, a chartered Christian university in Nairobi.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
SIL International
Professional certification
Global Bible translation organisation providing professional certification for translation consultants. Certification recommended for career advancement.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Bible Translation Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides quality assurance and consulting services to Bible translation projects, checking translations for accuracy and naturalness.
Translation Project Manager
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages Bible translation projects including planning, team coordination, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery.
Linguistic Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 220,000
Provides linguistic expertise to translation projects, including language analysis, orthography development, and translation support.
Translation Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 280,000
Advises translation teams on exegetical, linguistic, and translation issues, ensuring quality and accuracy in Bible translation projects.
Scripture Engagement Specialist
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Develops and implements strategies for promoting engagement with translated Scripture in target language communities.
University Lecturer
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches translation studies, linguistics, or biblical languages at universities and theological institutions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as Bible translation consultants, translation project managers, and linguistic consultants with Bible translation organisations, churches, and mission agencies across Africa.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Paratext
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard Bible translation software for managing translation projects, checking consistency, and collaborating with translation teams.
FLEx (FieldWorks Language Explorer)
SoftwarePrimary
Linguistics software for developing dictionaries, interlinear texts, and grammatical analysis of target languages for translation work.
Adapt It
Software
Translation adaptation software for translating between related languages, commonly used in Bible translation projects.
Logos Bible Software
Software
Digital Bible study platform providing original language tools, commentaries, and exegetical resources for translation work.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Bible translation is just about converting words from one language to another.
Bible translation involves complex linguistic analysis, cultural mediation, exegesis, and quality assurance to ensure accurate and natural communication of meaning across languages and cultures.
You need to be a theologian to do Bible translation.
While biblical knowledge is important, the programme emphasises linguistic skills, translation theory, and project management alongside biblical languages and exegesis.
Bible translation is no longer needed because Bibles exist in most languages.
Over 1,500 languages still need Bible translation, and many existing translations need revision. Africa alone has hundreds of languages without complete Bibles.
The programme is only for those who already know biblical languages.
While prior knowledge is helpful, the programme includes biblical language courses starting from foundational levels, with Greek or Hebrew integrated into the curriculum.
Bible translation is a solitary activity.
Modern Bible translation is highly collaborative, involving teams of translators, consultants, reviewers, and community members working together over many years.
The programme is only for Christians preparing for mission work.
While most students are Christians involved in translation work, the programme develops transferable skills in linguistics, translation, and project management applicable in broader contexts.