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Whether you're starting from scratch or refining your skills, our languages courses guide you step-by-step with flexibility and support. You’ll explore linguistics, culture and meaning, learning to communicate more confidently in new languages while understanding how language shapes society. With options to combine languages with business, history, law and more, our qualifications open doors to careers in translation, diplomacy, media, education and global professions.
Stage 1120 credits
Stage 2120 credits
Stage 3120 credits
Total of 360 credits
How long will it take?
Part-time: 16–18 hrs/week for 6 years
Full-time: 32–36 hrs/week for 3 years
Stage 1120 credits
Stage 2120 credits
Total of 240 credits
 
How long will it take?
Part-time: 16–18 hrs/week for 4 years
Full-time: 32–36 hrs/week for 2 years
Stage 1120 credits
Total of 120 credits
 
 
How long will it take?
Part-time: 16–18 hrs/week for 2 years
Full-time: 32–36 hrs/week for 1 year
With more than 12,000 students on language or applied linguistics modules, you'll join a diverse community of peers, academics and support staff in your studies on an Open University languages qualification.
Studying languages with the OU:
With increasing demand for language skills in education, and more broadly across the economy in client-facing roles, the ability to communicate in more than one language could be your ticket to a new career, or your passport to a new life abroad.
The breadth of skills you'll develop on an OU language qualification could help you start or progress your career in:
Study individual modules to build your skills or explore a new interest – and count them towards a qualification if you decide to take your studies further.
See our full list of Languages modules
Start learning a new language, explore different cultures or develop your communication skills with just a few hours' study a week.
See our full list of Languages, cultures and communication short courses
Browse all of the Languages courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees – including courses where you can combine French, German or Spanish as a second subject.
See our full list of Languages courses
We also offer a range of postgraduate Languages courses.
See our full list of postgraduate Languages courses
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