Faculty of Germanic Philology and Translation

The Faculty of Germanic Philology and Translation is one of the principal academic divisions of Kyiv National Linguistic University (KNLU). The University was established in 1948 as the Kyiv State Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages and has since developed a distinguished reputation for excellence in linguistic and philological education. The Faculty continues these longstanding academic traditions, which have shaped the institution for many decades.

The history of the Faculty is closely connected with the development of Germanic language studies at KNLU, particularly following the establishment of the Faculty of German Language in 1953. Over the years, the University gained recognition as a leading center for the preparation of teachers, philologists, and translators specializing in English, German, and other Germanic languages.

As the University’s academic structure continued to evolve, the Faculty expanded its scope and was renamed the Faculty of Germanic Philology and Translation. Today, it offers comprehensive education in English and German studies, integrating fundamental philological training with professional translation education and intercultural communication. The Faculty provides Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral programmes designed to prepare highly qualified professionals for careers in education, translation, international communication, research, and related fields.

The Faculty actively develops international cooperation through academic mobility programmes, research initiatives, and partnerships with educational and cultural institutions worldwide. Its academic staff conducts innovative research in linguistics, literary studies, translation studies, and language teaching methodology. Students regularly participate in scholarly conferences, academic competitions, and international exchange programmes.

Today, the Faculty of Germanic Philology and Translation remains one of the largest and most prestigious faculties at KNLU. By combining strong academic traditions with modern approaches to language education and research, it makes a substantial contribution to the advancement of philological and translation studies in Ukraine.

The Department of German Philology and Translation was founded on July 1, 2022, as a result of the merger between the Department of German Philology and the Department of Translation Studies.

The Faculty has been led by the following deans:

• Iryna Moiseienko, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor (2022–2023);
• Yaroslava Hnezdilova, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor (2023–2025);
• Khrystyna Melko, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor (2026–present).

The Faculty includes five academic departments:

• Department of Germanic Philology (Head: Prof. M. O. Shutova);
• Department of English Philology and Philosophy of Language (Head: Prof. N. P. Izotova);
• Department of Phonetics and English Language Practice (Head: Assoc. G. E. Zinchenko);
• Department of Theory and Practice of Translation from English (Head: Assoc. K. S. Podsievak);
• Department of German Philology (Head: Prof. M. V. Hamziuk).

The Faculty offers education in the specialty B11 Philology through four Bachelor’s and four Master’s degree programmes.

Bachelor's Degree Programmes

• English and a Second Foreign Language: Interpreting and Translation in Business Communication;
• English Language and Literature, Second Foreign Language, Translation;
• English Language and Literature and Translation;
• German Language and Literature, Second Foreign Language, Translation.

Master's Degree Programmes

• Translation Studies: Profession-Oriented Translation (English and Second Foreign Language);
• Contemporary Philological Studies (English and Second Foreign Language): Linguistics and Translation Studies;
• English Language: Intercultural Communication and Translation;
• Contemporary Philological Studies (German and Second Foreign Language): Linguistics and Translation Studies.

Currently, the Faculty enrolls more than 800 students in full-time and part-time study programmes.

Considerable attention is devoted to student research activities. Faculty students have achieved outstanding results in national English and German language Olympiads, the All-Ukrainian Student Research Paper Competition, and the international EFNIL Master’s Thesis Award competition. They actively participate in academic conferences, symposia, and round-table discussions and publish their research findings in scholarly journals both in Ukraine and internationally.

Members of the academic staff regularly undertake professional development courses and internships at universities in Germany, Austria, and Poland. Students participate in international mobility programmes, including Erasmus+, at partner institutions such as universities in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, and the Pomeranian Academy in Poland. They also attend summer language schools in Germany and Austria.

In addition to their academic achievements, students are actively involved in the cultural, sporting, and social life of the University. They participate in creative competitions, student events, volunteer initiatives, educational exhibitions, forums, and a wide range of social and sports activities, contributing significantly to the vibrant university community.