Department of Translation

Department Overview

It is one of the scientific departments in the faculty and represented a starting point for teaching translation in Yemen. Over the successive academic years, it has gained a high academic reputation. The goal of its establishment was, and still is, to qualify an integrated scientific cadre with high scientific and professional efficiency that contributes to language and translation education services in society and participates in related scientific research inside and outside Yemen.

Department Vision

To achieve excellence in teaching and research in translation, and prepare qualified professionals and researchers to meet market demands and foster intercultural communication.

Department Mission

The Department of Translation seeks to prepare qualified translators and interpreters graduates who are well equipped with cutting-edged knowledge, professional skills to compete in the labour market. It intends to provide students with distinctive education and support by creating stimulating learning experiences that encourage intellectual creativity and by cultivating a culture conducive to teaching, life-long learning, research, critical thinking, innovation, and community service.

Department Objectives

1. Prepare specialized graduates in the field of Translation Studies, who are well-qualified at the academic and professional levels, in accordance with international quality assurance standards.
2. Equip students with a range of transferable skills that will prepare them for employment in a wide range of careers with particular emphasis on cultural and civil international communication, flexibility and creativity.
3. Develop students’ intellectual curiosity and build confidence in their ability to learn and to resolve intellectual problems for themselves.
4. Create a learning environment and an appropriate foundation that promote the students’ lasting enthusiasm, interest and enjoyment in the study of Translation, Culture, and other related disciplines through an optimal use of modern technologies of learning.
5. Offer the opportunity for students to engage with various Translation & Inter-Cultural courses which enable them to develop their academic and professional skills and interests within the fields of Translation.
6. Provide students with an awareness and understanding of the nature, uses and varieties of the Arabic and English Language and the wider contexts of contrastive and comparative linguistic studies.

Academic Programs in the Department

Bachelor's in Translation

Master's in Translation Studies

The Translation Studies program is an academic program that awards a Master's degree. This degree is granted by the Faculty of Languages, and is implemented by the Department of Translation in collaboration with the Department of English. The program utilizes both English and Arabic as languages of instruction and was launched in the 2020-2021 academic year. It operates on a regular semester-based system comprising coursework and a thesis, conducted at the Faculty of Languages, Sana'a University. The program spans a duration of two to three years (2 semesters). It equips graduates for various professions such as translation teacher, translation researcher, translator/interpreter, and any career necessitating linguistic and translation activities. In case a student does not qualify to complete the thesis, a Diploma Certificate is awarded. Admission requires holding a Bachelor’s degree in Translation or English Language with an average grade of no less than "Good".

Program Vision

To achieve excellence in teaching and research in translation, and prepare qualified professionals and researchers to meet market demands and foster intercultural communication.

Program Mission

The MA Translation program seeks to prepare well-trained graduates equipped with the necessary knowledge and professional skills in Translation, interpretation and research, by offering a stimulating learning experience invigorated by the use of recent technology, and providing opportunities for employment in both private and public sectors.

Program Objectives

1. Offer the opportunity for students to engage in translation, interpretation and research methodologies as a base for developing their academic and professional skills in the field of Translation studies.
2. Familiarize students with the nature, uses and varieties of Arabic and English in the wider contexts.
3. Develop students’ skills in close reading, text analysis and communicating clearly and effectively in both English and Arabic in oral and written forms.
4. Develop students’ understanding of both English and Arabic culture and history.

Program Requirements

Admission Requirements:
1. Obtaining BA degree in Translation or English from a recognized university.
2. Having an accumulative average in the BA not less than 65%.
3. Passing a written test and an oral interview to be held by the department.
4. Meeting the requirements of Sana’a University and the Ministry of Higher Education.

Graduation Requirements:
1. Passing all the courses in the study plan.
2. Securing an accumulative average not less than 75%.
3. Conducting a research in translation and passing all its required tests successfully.
4. Completing the minimum period for obtaining the degree and not exceeding the maximum duration.

View Study Plan

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Translation Studies

The Translation Studies program is an academic program that awards a PhD degree. This degree is granted by the Deanship of Postgraduate Studies, while the Department of Translation at the Faculty of Languages supervises its implementation, in partnership with the English and Arabic departments. English and Arabic serve as the primary languages of study, and the program is scheduled to commence in 2026. The study framework depends on publishing two research papers, attending seminars, and finalizing a dissertation, totaling 45 credit hours. The study duration extends between 3 and 4 years. Prospective candidates are required to hold a Master's degree in Translation or its equivalent for admission. For further inquiries, contact the official email: Lang.info@su.edu.ye.

Program Vision

To achieve excellence in teaching and research in translation, and prepare qualified professionals and researchers to meet market demands and foster intercultural communication.

Program Mission

To provide graduates with a comprehensive and solid foundation of the theoretical and practical aspects of translation studies, along with research skills and the latest technological tools related to translation, by creating a learning and research environment that enables them to actively engage in the area of translation in both academic and professional institutions.

Program Objectives

1. Enabling the researchers to engage independently in research and provide an original and significant contribution in any area of translation.
2. Providing the researchers with advanced knowledge in translation issues to equip them with in-depth research experience to produce research studies related to the body of knowledge and development issues in the society.
3. Preparing the researchers to work in academic institutions to teach translation courses, at translation agencies, or in research centers.
4. Equipping the researchers with the skills to design, research and write research–based projects that are in line with the academic standards of the PhD degree and other relevant standards.

Program Requirements

Admission Requirements:
1. Holding a Master's degree from a recognized university with a minimum grade of "Very Good" in a relevant or corresponding field.
2. Passing the entrance examination and personal interview determined by the department.
3. Providing a statement from the National Information Center that the research title is not duplicated, along with paying fees and fulfilling all admission documents.

Graduation Requirements:
1. Attending and presenting at least 5 seminars and delivering 8 academic lectures.
2. Publishing two scientific research papers derived from the dissertation in peer-reviewed journals.
3. Preparing a PhD dissertation and successfully passing the public defense.
4. Passing proficiency tests in Arabic, English (TOEFL), digital transformation, and computer skills.

View Study Plan