Master of Arts in Translation
The Master of Arts in Translation provides advanced training in translation theory, translation practice, interpreting, terminology, and translation technology. Students learn translation theory, translation methods, terminology management, computer-assisted translation, and specialised translation. The programme is designed for language graduates, translators, and language professionals seeking advanced translation qualifications.
Students develop advanced competencies in translation theory, translation practice, terminology, translation technology, specialised translation, and research. The curriculum covers translation theory, translation methods and practice, terminology management, computer-assisted translation, specialised translation (legal, medical, technical), research methods, and a research paper. Practical skills are developed through translation projects and practicum.
Translation expertise is increasingly important in Kenya and East Africa as regional integration, international business, and multilingual communication grow. Translation agencies, international organisations, government, courts, and businesses require trained translators. Kenya's multilingual environment and regional role create demand for translation expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced translation training.
The programme combines classroom lectures with translation practicum, projects, and research. Students study translation theory, practise translation, use translation technology, and conduct research. Teaching methods include lectures, translation workshops, computer lab sessions, and research supervision. The programme is offered in full-time and part-time modes with intake in September.
Graduates find employment as translators, interpreters, terminology managers, translation project managers, or language service providers in translation agencies, international organisations, government, courts, and businesses. The master's degree supports careers in professional translation, translation management, and language services.
This programme is ideal for language graduates, translators, and language professionals seeking advanced translation qualifications. The programme provides advanced skills for professional translation and language service roles.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 268,500
- Private, up to
- Ksh 249,800
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time, Part-time
- Attachment
- 0 months
- Average class
- 20 students
- Award
- Master
What you study
10 subjects- Translation Theory
- Translation Methods and Practice
- Terminology Management
- Computer-Assisted Translation
- Specialised Translation
- Interpreting
- Research Methods
- Translation Quality Assurance
- Legal and Medical Translation
- Research Paper
Modules
8 in the programmeTranslation Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Translation theory covering equivalence, functional translation theories, cultural translation, translation studies, and the history and development of translation theory.
Translation Methods and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Translation methods covering translation strategies, translation procedures, practical translation exercises, and developing translation competence across text types.
Terminology Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Terminology management covering terminology theory, term extraction, terminology databases, glossary creation, and managing specialised terminology.
Research Methods in Translation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, translation research methods, and research ethics.
Computer-Assisted Translation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer-assisted translation covering CAT tools, translation memory, terminology management software, machine translation, and translation technology.
Specialised Translation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Specialised translation covering legal translation, medical translation, technical translation, and translating specialised domain texts.
Interpreting and Translation Quality Assurance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Interpreting covering consecutive and simultaneous interpreting basics, and translation quality assurance covering quality standards, revision, and quality control.
Research Paper
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
A research paper on a translation topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to translation studies knowledge.
Specialisations
Specialised Translation
Focus on legal translation, medical translation, technical translation, and translating specialised domain texts.
Translation Technology
Focus on computer-assisted translation, translation memory, terminology management software, and machine translation.
Interpreting
Focus on consecutive and simultaneous interpreting for conferences, meetings, courts, and international organisations.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on translation theory with afternoon translation workshops and computer lab sessions. Students study translation concepts, practise translation, use computer-assisted translation tools, and work on specialised translation projects. Translation workshops involve practical translation exercises with peer review and feedback. The programme emphasises practical translation skills, technology competence, and research skills for professional translation.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Translation skills are in demand as regional integration and international communication grow in East Africa.
- Offered at UoN, Kenya's premier university, with detailed published fee structure and established linguistics department.
- Includes computer-assisted translation training, providing technology skills essential for modern translation work.
Against it
- The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
- Total programme cost of KES 537,000 is relatively high for a public university master's.
- Freelance translation income can be variable, requiring business development skills for success.
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 coursesAnnual 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 MA Translation 537K/2yr=268.5K/yr. Daystar ~249.8K/yr. KCA unverified.
HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. UoN may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- Alternative entry
- Bachelor's degree in Linguistics, Languages, Translation, or related field from a CUE-recognised institution. Relevant work experience may be considered.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCoursework and Translation Practicals
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, translation practicals, and examinations evaluating translation competence and theoretical understanding.
Translation Projects and Assignments
Project30% of the mark
Translation projects, specialised translation assignments, and CAT tool exercises evaluating practical translation skills.
Research Paper
Project30% of the mark
A research paper demonstrating research competence in translation studies.
Accreditation
University of Nairobi is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MA programme is accredited by CUE.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
UoN is chartered by CUE. MA programme accredited by CUE.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesTranslator
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Works as a professional translator in translation agencies, international organisations, or freelance, translating documents across various domains and language pairs.
Interpreter
Moderate demand
Provides interpreting services for conferences, meetings, courts, or international organisations, facilitating spoken communication across languages.
Translation Project Manager
Moderate demand
Manages translation projects in agencies or organisations, coordinating translators, ensuring quality, and managing translation workflows.
Terminology Manager
Low demand
Manages terminology resources for organisations, creating glossaries, maintaining terminology databases, and ensuring consistent terminology use.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment as translators, interpreters, and translation project managers in translation agencies, international organisations, government, and businesses, with opportunities in specialised translation and language services.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Translation is just about knowing two languages.
Professional translation requires training in translation theory, methods, terminology, technology, quality assurance, and specialised domain knowledge.
Machine translation will replace human translators.
Machine translation assists but cannot replace human translators for specialised, nuanced, and culturally sensitive translation work.
Translation and interpreting are the same thing.
Translation deals with written text while interpreting deals with spoken communication, requiring different skills and training.
A master's in translation is not needed to work as a translator.
Advanced translation roles, specialised translation, and translation management require master's-level qualifications and professional training.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Master of Arts in Translation are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.