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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
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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Modern Languages - BA (Hons) University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,292 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,500 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Applied Languages - BA University of Limerick, Ireland
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,175 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,913 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
Asian Languages (Japanese) - BA Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
29,834 USD
Fee in university's local currency 29,834 USD
- Start date
- May, August, January
-
Business Services Solutions and Languages - BBA Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 42 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,304 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,500 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
World Languages - BA Stockton University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,605 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,605 USD
- Start date
- September, January
Associate in languages
-
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
- August, June, February
-
Modern Languages - AA Douglas College, Canada
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,312 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- September, May, January
-
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, June, April, January
Certificate in languages
-
Advanced Study in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - Cert California State University, Sacramento, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,800 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,800 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
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
- August, January
-
English for Speakers of Other Languages: High Intermediate - 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, June, January
-
English for Speakers of Other Languages: High 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, June, January
Languages graduate programs
Master's in languages
-
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - MA TESOL Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 15 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
24,318 USD
Fee in university's local currency 24,318 USD
- Start date
- August
-
Clinical Speech and Language Studies - MSc Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
23,793 USD
Fee in university's local currency 19,996 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
Education Studies and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - MSc University of Stirling, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,910 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,950 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
International Relations and European Languages - MA (Hons) University of Dundee, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
23,730 USD
Fee in university's local currency 17,275 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Languages and Applied Linguistics - MPhil University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,391 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,300 GBP
- Start date
- February
Doctorate in languages
-
Languages and Applied Linguistics - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,391 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,300 GBP
- Start date
- February
Certificate in languages
-
Secondary Modern Languages - PGCert Bath Spa University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,270 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,300 GBP
- Start date
- September, January
-
Secondary Modern Languages - GradCert London Metropolitan University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,446 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.
