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Study languages abroad
An in-depth guide to studying languages as an international student.
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
How to study languages abroad
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Languages study abroad programs
Languages undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in languages
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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - BA University of Findlay, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
33,250 USD
Fee in university's local currency 33,250 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Language Studies - BA (Hons) University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,219 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,500 GBP
- Start date
- September
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International Business & Languages - BA Technological University Dublin, Ireland
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,995 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,500 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
Modern Foreign Languages - BA James Madison University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
24,150 USD
Fee in university's local currency 24,150 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
-
Modern Languages and Cultures - BA Pace University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
44,714 USD
Fee in university's local currency 44,714 USD
- Start date
- January, September
Associate in languages
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World Languages - AA Seattle Central College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- September, January, April, June
-
Modern Languages - AA Douglas College, Canada
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,156 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- January, May, September
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Modern Languages - AA Santiago Canyon College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
8,304 USD
Fee in university's local currency 8,304 USD
- Start date
- February, June, August
Certificate in languages
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English for Speakers of Other Languages: Advanced - Cert Berkeley City College, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- August, January, June
-
English for Speakers of Other Languages: Intermediate - Cert Laney College, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- August, January, June
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English for Speakers of Other Languages, ESOL - Cert Keiser University, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
31,120 USD
Fee in university's local currency 31,120 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Languages graduate programs
Master's in languages
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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - MA TESOL Westcliff University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,600 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,600 USD
- Start date
- January, March, May, June, August, October
-
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - MA University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,896 USD
Fee in university's local currency 22,896 USD
- Start date
- August
-
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - MSEd Long Island University Brooklyn, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,618 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,618 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Modern Languages, Literature and Culture: Narratives of Conflict: French - MA Maynooth University, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,038 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,000 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
Modern Languages - MPhil University of Newcastle, Australia
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,317 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,895 AUD
- Start date
- February, July, September
Doctorate in languages
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Languages and Applied Linguistics - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 6 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,157 USD
Fee in university's local currency 8,150 GBP
- Start date
- October, February
Certificate in languages
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Secondary Modern Languages - PGCert Bath Spa University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,208 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,300 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
-
Secondary Modern Languages - GradCert London Metropolitan University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,386 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,700 GBP
- Start date
- September
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.
