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An image to illustrate the Diploma of Higher Education in Language Studies
Languages connect people, ideas and cultures, and this diploma will equip you to communicate in different languages, develop your cultural understanding, and explore the structure and use of language in different contexts. Starting with a broad grounding in the study of language, you’ll study either two modern languages – choosing from French, German and Spanish – or combine one with English. By the end of your studies, you’ll be able to engage successfully in a variety of linguistic environments – opening doors to other cultures and communities and exciting career opportunities.
A nationally recognised qualification in its own right, this Diploma of Higher Education is equivalent to the first two-thirds of the BA (Honours) Language Studies (Q30). Similarly, our Certificate of Higher Education in Language Studies (T21) corresponds to the first third of the degree.
This languages diploma has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
In Stage 1, you’ll study a compulsory 30-credit or 60-credit module, depending on whether you choose to combine English language studies with a modern language (French, German or Spanish) or choose two modern languages. You’ll choose your remaining 90 or 60 credits from a range of language modules.
You have two options for completing the different stages of your study:
Depending on your chosen route, we recommend starting your study with either Introducing English language studies (L101) or Exploring languages and cultures (L161).
For modern language modules, your choice at Stage 1 will depend on your current level of language proficiency. If you are unsure about your current level, you can use our language self-assessment quiz or see Entry Requirements for more advice. We strongly recommend you do not study Beginners' and Intermediate modules together, unless you already have sufficient prior knowledge of the language to study at the Intermediate level.
English and French; English and German; or English and Spanish
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Introducing English language studies (L101)60Oct
You'll choose 60 credits from the following lists (at least 30 credits must be from list B):
List A
Introduction to French studies (beginners) (L102)30Oct
Introduction to German studies (beginners) (L103)30Oct
Introduction to Spanish studies (beginners) (L106)30Oct
Beginners’ Chinese (L108)30Oct
Intermediate Chinese (L118)30Oct
Exploring languages and cultures (L161)30Oct
List B
French studies 1 (intermediate) (L112)30Oct
German studies 1 (intermediate) (L113)30Oct
Spanish studies 1 (intermediate) (L116)30Oct

French and German; French and Spanish; or German and Spanish
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Exploring languages and cultures (L161)30Oct
You'll choose 90 credits from the following lists (at least 30 must be from list B):
List A
Introduction to French studies (beginners) (L102)30Oct
Introduction to German studies (beginners) (L103)30Oct
Introduction to Spanish studies (beginners) (L106)30Oct
Beginners’ Chinese (L108)30Oct
Intermediate Chinese (L118)30Oct
Introducing English language studies (L101)60Oct
List B
French studies 1 (intermediate) (L112)30Oct
German studies 1 (intermediate) (L113)30Oct
Spanish studies 1 (intermediate) (L116)30Oct

In Stage 2, you’ll continue with your chosen subject combination.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
English in the world (L201)60Oct
French studies 2: language and culture of the French-speaking world (L222)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
English in the world (L201)60Oct
German studies 2: language and culture of the German-speaking world (L223)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
English in the world (L201)60Oct
Spanish studies 2: language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world (L226)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
French studies 2: language and culture of the French-speaking world (L222)60Oct
German studies 2: language and culture of the German-speaking world (L223)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
French studies 2: language and culture of the French-speaking world (L222)60Oct
Spanish studies 2: language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world (L226)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
German studies 2: language and culture of the German-speaking world (L223)60Oct
Spanish studies 2: language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world (L226)60Oct

By studying this diploma, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, high-quality materials, online tools, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Language Studies upon successful completion.
You’ll also have the opportunity to attend an award ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this diploma in as little as two years and have a maximum of 12 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
If you already have a good level of competence in your chosen languages, you can complete this diploma in two years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
If you’re starting at beginners’ level for your language, the earliest you’ll be able to complete your diploma is three years, as you won’t be able to study both the beginners’ and intermediate modules at the same time. The way your study is structured will depend on your language combination.
If you’re combining English with French, German or Spanish:
If you’re combining two modern languages (for example, French and Spanish):
You can complete this diploma in four years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
Note: If you’re starting at beginners’ level, your part-time study may take longer, as you’ll need to complete the beginners and intermediate modules in sequence before progressing.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
However, you’ll need to choose whether to start with a beginners or intermediate language module. Our self-assessment quiz can help you decide whether to start with beginners’ or intermediate French, German, and Spanish and provide guidance on choosing the right modern language level for you.
You may wish to start with an intermediate module if you have knowledge of your chosen language(s) equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level A2. Otherwise, we recommend you start with a beginners module.
You shouldn’t study a beginners module and an intermediate module in the same language simultaneously unless you already have significant knowledge of the language.
You’ll only be able to study Beginners Chinese (L108) or Intermediate Chinese (L118) if you’ve already reached CEFR level A2 in your core language (French, German or Spanish).
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
The fees and funding information shown below relate to the 2025/26 academic year and are provided for guidance only. Updated 2026/27 information will be published on the 25th of March, when this qualification next opens for registration.

4 years
£3,892*
A diploma is worth 240 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 4 years.
£15,568*
That’s 18% less than the cost of an equivalent qualification offered at most other universities in England.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£28,605
£28,605
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£23,352
£23,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,070
£19,070
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£15,568
£15,568
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,535
£9,535
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£7,784
£7,784
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£28,605
£28,605
£23,352
£23,352
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,070
£19,070
£15,568
£15,568
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,535
£9,535
£7,784
£7,784
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 25/26 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Pay nothing upfront – over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Learn more about this and our other funding options below.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
By the end of your studies, you’ll be a competent communicator in another language with an awareness of cultural differences and similarities – attributes that are particularly valuable in an environment of increasing international contact. If you learn about English alongside another language, your study of its structure, history, and place in societies and cultures will greatly enrich and develop your understanding of all aspects of communication.
Certain skills flow directly from your studies, like translation, effective communication in more than one language, the ability to compose and analyse a range of texts, and the ability to work well with members of other cultures and communities. You’ll also develop a broad set of employability skills, including the ability to:
Languages are central to some professions, such as translating, interpreting and teaching. They are also a key asset in the diplomatic service, tourism and international business and administration. This diploma will take your language skills to a high level.
Language skills are also highly valued in a range of other sectors. Surveys indicate that employers place a premium on the ability to make contact and communicate with global trade partners and to understand overseas business environments and that they often acknowledge this with higher salaries. The languages most in demand in UK industry are French, German, Spanish and Mandarin.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser.  Some areas of the website are available to see at any time, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience):
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 25th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 25th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
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