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Bachelor of Art in English and Translation (BAETR)

College of Arts & Science

The Bachelor of Arts in English and Translation programme is designed in line with international standards to produce graduates with in-depth knowledge of the English language and the use of English language effectively to communicate in the spoken and written modes in a variety of social and academic situations. The programme aims to produce quality graduates that demonstrate an understanding of English literature and culture, and conduct, at a specialized level, different types of translation and interpretation, including consecutive, simultaneous, sight interpreting for different purposes. The academic programme is offered with a selection of two tracks focusing on translation for [1] Media, business, and legal purposes. [2] Scientific, technical, and medical purposes.

Programme Aims

  • To equip learners with deep understanding of English language varieties, distinctive characteristics and relevance to communication and translation.
  • To equip learners with creative skills and critical appreciation of English literary texts while exploring their relevance to social and cultural attitudes.
  • To equip learners with advanced practical exposure in English-to-Arabic and Arabic-to-English translation with ethical and professional translators qualified for employment either in the translation industry or as freelance practitioners.
  • To equip learners with transferable practical skills, able to carry out different types of research in English and translation.

Career Pathways

  • General Translator
  • Legal Translator and Verifier
  • Business Writing Translation
  • Media Interpreter
  • Medical Translation

Programme Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and Understanding

A1. Concepts and Theories
Demonstrate knowledge of the main concepts, rules, features and possibilities associated with the English sound, grammatical, lexical and rhetorical systems, writing conventions, translation, and literary genres and works.

A2. Contemporary Trends, Problems and Research
Demonstrate knowledge of the main contemporary trends, issues and problems within the core areas of the English language, literature and translation, and specialised knowledge of the methods of conducting scientific research in various areas related to language and translation.

A.3 Professional Responsibility
Demonstrate adherence to the professional, legal and social responsibility involved in producing communicative (spoken or written) tasks in various real life contexts and in producing various types of translation.

B. Subject-Specific Skills

B1. Problem solving
Use specialised level of skills to produce practical solutions to problems that are likely to be encountered in in real life contexts involving various aspects of language use, linguistic analysis, literary study and translation practice.

B2. Modelling and Designing
Apply specialized level strategies of written and verbal communication, translation, and  research models and designs in conducting language use, translation, or research into aspects of language and/or translation.

B3. Application of Methods and Tools
Apply a specialized level of methods related to the interpretation and criticism of literary and non-literary English texts, and of translations.

C. Critical Thinking Skills

C1. Analytic Skills
Critically analyse the use of English (in terms of phonological, grammatical, lexical and textual structures) to establish characteristic features and relationships, and to determine accuracy and appropriateness of use.

C2. Synthetic Skills
Synthesise information and explicate possible meanings of a literary and non-literary spoken or written texts.

C3. Creative Skills
Make informed judgement on language-related (including translation-related) issues, adopting intellectual autonomy, creative thinking and innovation and making use of library or on-line resources, to create possible or alternative solutions.

D. General and Transferable Skills (other skills relevant to employability and personal development)

D1. Communication skills
Use English effectively to communicate and to conduct, at a specialized level, different modes of translation (written, consecutive, simultaneous, sight translations) in a variety of situations.

D2. Teamwork and Leadership
Co-operate with team members in a socially responsible and productive manner inside and outside the classroom environment on tasks of a general or academic nature related to language use, literary appreciation, and translation.

D3. Organizational and Developmental skills
Demonstrate advance knowledge to interpret, evaluate, and apply what they study to real-life situations.

D4. Ethics and social responsibility
Undertake jobs in translation and/or English language related professions, reflecting ethical awareness and displaying the professional readiness and preparedness necessary for a chosen career.

Study Plan

First Year

During the first year, students are exposed to a range of foundation level courses such as academic English, English grammar, and English writing, where foundations of English language knowledge and extensive spoken/written communicative skills are laid. Together with the University requirements, courses of the first academic year start the students off with the basic knowledge and skills needed to initiate their journey into the field of English and translation.

Second Year

In year two students develop both knowledge and communicative uses of the English language. Students will also be exposed to some selected works of literature and will be trained to conduct some literary appreciation work. At this stage, students start translation courses, both in theory and practice. The first general translation course (Fundamentals of Arabic-English Translation) equips students with knowledge of the general methods and techniques of translation, and offers intensive translation practice of texts of various lengths and complexity. Further, in this year, the first Track-specific translation course is introduced.

Third Year

In year three, higher level spoken and written communication skills are integrated and practised in almost all the offered courses. Students are also provided with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the nature of the English language system, and are equipped with skills in analysing linguistic data. In English literature, students are offered the opportunity to survey works selected from different literary periods. In translation, students are offered courses that will train them in translating different text types. Translation courses specific to Tracks 1 or 2 are given more focus. In this year, students can choose one major elective and one free elective.

Fourth Year

During the fourth year, more emphasis is placed on developing advanced translation skills. Students are also introduced to machine-aided translation, translation editing and proofreading, consecutive and simultaneous interpretation, and translation work related to specialised courses in either Track 1 or 2. In this year, students can choose one major elective and one free elective.

Students are also required to do a translation internship in an organisation. This offers them the opportunity to enhance their communication and translation skills and gain experience by engaging in professional work in a translation environment.

Moreover, students have to undertake a final capstone project. This gives them a unique opportunity to pursue original scholarship on topics of their choice in English language, literature, or translation under the supervision of a faculty member.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for consideration for admission at the undergraduate level, an applicant should normally hold a recently issued recognized secondary school certificate or its equivalent. The requirements for admission stated by the University are in all cases the minimum demanded for admission, and their fulfilment by a candidate does not automatically ensure his /her selection. Prior to enrolling at Ahlia University, citizens of non-GCC States should secure residence permits in the Kingdom of Bahrain; otherwise, their admission will be conditional and subject to being rescinded at the discretion of the University

English Language Proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate a level of English proficiency consistent with the demands of an academic programme taught and assessed almost exclusively in the English language. This can be done in one of the following ways:

  • Submission of an internationally recognized certificate of English language proficiency, e.g. Cambridge ESOL SCE or City & Guild’s Pitman Intermediate Level.
  • Attainment of an acceptable score on an internationally recognized examination of English language proficiency, typically either IELTS or TOFEL.
  • Passing the University English language placement test.

Recognized Secondary Certificates

  • Bahraini secondary School certificate (Tawjihia).
  • Secondary school certificates awarded by private secondary school in the Kingdom of Bahrain provided such certificates are endorsed by the Bahraini Ministry of Education.
  • Arab secondary school certificates awarded by Arab Ministries of Education. Where applicable, the streams of these certificates are given the same consideration as the Bahraini Tawjihia.
  • Any other certificates recognized by the Bahraini Ministry of Education as equivalent to a Tawjihia certificate.

Programme Specific Requirements

The applicants who meet the following programme specific admission requirements will be admitted to the programme:

Academic Score in the Secondary School Certificate (Tawjihia) or its Equivalent

  • Unconditional Acceptance: 65%
  • Conditional Acceptance; Passing an interview: Less than 65%
  • Tracks Accepted: Recognised secondary school certificate or its equivalent (All Tracks)

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

The estimated duration for completion of a Bachelors Degree at Ahlia University is 4 years. This is structured around 134 credit-hours covering 45 courses.

The duration of study for each course is fifteen weeks, covering approximately 45 study hours.

Item Fee
Application Fee BD 20
Registration Fee BD 200
Placement Tests Fee ( if applicable ) BD 40
Orientation Courses ( if applicable ) BD 1,200
100 Level Courses – 12 courses ( BD 300 Per Course ) BD 3,600
200 Level Courses – 11 courses ( BD 330 Per Course ) BD 3,630
300 Level Courses – 11 courses ( BD 360 Per Course ) BD 3,960
400 Level Courses – 11 courses ( BD 390 Per Course ) BD 4,290

Available Scholarships

Item Discount
Orphans and people with special needs 50%
High school average of 95% or above 50%
High school average of 90% or above 25%
High school average of 80% or above 20%
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