Find your perfect languages programs abroad
Find languages programs you love that match your needs and aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.
Languages degrees abroad
Languages degrees allow you to develop important skills like translation, interpretation and linguistics. Many universities refer to these programs as modern languages, and you can also learn about the history and culture of different countries and their languages.
As new technologies continue to make the world smaller, the ability to communicate across national and cultural borders becomes more vital. Not only does the study of language improve communication, but it also helps us understand the cultural and historical contexts that influence how we live.
By studying languages abroad you have the opportunity to experience new cultures that could support your studies. Learning to speak the native tongue when studying abroad is an important part of settling into your environment, something that should come naturally to a languages student.
Languages program structure
Languages and modern language degrees are available to study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in countries all over the world. Most bachelor’s programs let you study up to three languages, and you can earn a BA after three or four years of studying. If you study in the US, you can choose languages as a major subject as part of a liberal arts education.
Some universities offer languages as a single-honors program, or a joint-honors program alongside another subject like cultural studies, business or history. At postgraduate level you can study languages as an MA over two years, or as a PGCE if you want to qualify as a language teacher. You can also earn a doctorate by studying for a PhD in languages.
Many languages programs include a year abroad where you can practice your language skills with native speakers. You will also be taught through group lectures, seminars and workshops, and assessment will be in the form of written and oral exams, translations, assignments and listening tests.
The program content and curriculum will vary from program to program, and also be dependant on which language you choose to study. Here are some of the most common modern language modules and subjects you may study:
- Beginners French/German/Italian/Spanish/Mandarin
- Advanced French/German/Italian/Spanish/Mandarin
- Exploring cultural identity
- Researching language
- Linguistics
- Translation
- Interpretation
- World cinema
- Cultural history
Types of languages degrees
Best countries to study languages
Languages study abroad programs
What are the top languages undergraduate programs abroad?
Adelphi UniversityLanguages and Cultures - BA
- 4 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Cultural Studies, Languages
- Location
- New York City, USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 47,270USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Alma CollegeWorld Languages and Culture - BA/BSc
- 4 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Cultural Studies, Languages
- Location
- Alma, USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 49,282USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
American UniversityBusiness, Language and Culture Studies - BSc
- 4 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Cultural Studies, Languages, Business
- Location
- Washington DC, USA
- Next available start date
- September 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 57,952USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Arizona State University (in partnership with Kaplan International)Business: Language and Culture (West Valley Campus) - BA
- 4 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Cultural Studies, Languages, Business
- Location
- Phoenix, USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 34,398USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Auburn UniversitySpeech, Language, and Hearing Sciences - BS
- 4 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Languages
- Location
- Auburn, USA
- Next available start date
- May 2025 +4 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 35,182USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
See all undergraduate degrees in languages abroad
What are the top languages postgraduate programs abroad?
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Comparative Literature, Languages, Linguistics
- Location
- Boca Raton, USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 19,792USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Kodolányi János UniversityEnglish Studies: Culture, Language and Applied Linguistics Track - MA
- 2 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Cultural Studies, Languages, Applied Linguistics, English
- Location
- Budapest, Hungary
- Next available start date
- September 2025
- Annual tuition fee
- 6,960EUR
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
University of South CarolinaLanguage and Literacy - MEd
- 1 year
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Languages, Literacy
- Location
- Columbia, USA
- Next available start date
- January 2026
- Annual tuition fee
- 29,760USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Arizona State University (in partnership with Kaplan International)Asian Languages/Civilizations: Chinese (Tempe Campus) - MA
- 2 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Chinese
- Location
- Phoenix, USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 38,526USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
California State University, Long BeachAsian Studies: Japanese Language & Pedagogy - MA
- 2 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Asian Studies, Pedagogy, Japanese
- Location
- Long Beach , USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +2 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 16,434USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
See all postgraduate degrees in languages abroad
Future languages careers
As a languages graduate you will have developed a variety of skills that can apply to a number of careers. Here are some of the most common roles modern language students go into:
- Translator or interpreter
- Language teacher
- Journalist
- Diplomatic service officer
- Academic researcher
There are plenty of other sectors like broadcasting and finance that are popular with languages graduates, so don’t limit your job search. If you don’t know exactly what you want to do with your degree after graduation, use the university’s careers service to help you.
You can improve your employability by taking advantage of university clubs and organizations. Studying abroad is also a great way to improve your CV as it shows employers you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone and embrace new experiences.