Bachelor of Languages

The Bachelor of Languages at ANU prepares you for the increasingly multilingual and international life of the 21st century. You will be taken on a language learning journey which is designed to engage you with the structural, grammatical and idiomatic components of languages, and the socio-cultural and historical contexts in which these languages are spoken. On the successful completion of the program, you will graduate with advanced communicative proficiency and confidence in at least one language from a wide range on offer of European, Asian, Middle-Eastern, Australian Indigenous and Classical languages.

The degree combines a solid foundation in two or more languages with knowledge of linguistics (the science of language) and the history, culture and societies associated with your chosen languages. You may also choose from a wide range of electives across the University including psychology, business and science.

Languages at ANU

Bachelor of Languages students learn to:

Communicate proficiently and confidently in at least one language
Identify the structure and uses of languages
Recognise and contrast the societies and cultures of the languages chosen, and their sociohistorical context
Construct a global schema of the connections between the languages studied and their geographical, social and cultural origins
Recognise the importance and value of intercultural communication.

ANU also hosts the widest range of languages to study out of all Australian universities. The Ethel Tory Centre is a language specific teaching space designed to encourage collaborative learning and will enable you to use technology as a valuable resource in your study.

Flexible Double Degree

The Bachelor of Languages can be combined with degrees in Arts and Social Sciences, Law, Business, Science or Engineering as part of the ANU Flexible Double Degree program. It can also be combined with several Masters degrees as a vertical double. For a full list of degree combinations see anu.edu.au/study/study-options/flexible-double.

Study overseas

You will have the opportunity to go on an exchange semester or year at one of the University’s partner institutions overseas. You can apply for a number of scholarships to assist with travel and living expenses.

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Program details

Honours program details

Download program flyer (PDF)

Key facts

3 years

Semester 1 intake

Honours option available

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UAC Code: 131193

CRICOS Code: 073988B

Career options

This degree will suit you if you are interested in working in organisations or businesses dealing with foreign countries or foreign aid, or working internationally. Graduates of the Bachelor of Languages may find work in diplomacy, trade, defence, translation, language analysis, language teaching or lecturing, public relations, language consultancy in the travel and tourism industry and many other fields.

Hear from our students

There’s definitely a sense of community here in Canberra, because of the ANU. My friends in other Australian cities say that they’re studying at a bigger uni in a bigger city, and there’s lots of background noise.

Frederic , Bachelor of Languages/Bachelor of International Security Studies

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My brilliant career

My studies at the ANU have taught me as much about persistence, discipline, dedication and hard work as about these very languages that I have sought to master. During the last three years, I have developed a strong foundation upon which to continue each of these language journeys.

Raihana Haidary , Bachelor of Languages

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