Study a language

Dive deep into your chosen language with a Diploma in Languages. You can study a diploma in addition to your chosen degree or as a standalone qualification.

Find out more about our Diploma in Languages.

Combine your language studies with your Bachelor’s degree. You can study a language as a core major in our Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Global Studies.

And, you can potentially study more than one language at a time. Chat with us to find out more.

Want to study a language as a major, but your degree isn’t listed above? We have options for you.

Many of our Bachelor’s degrees let you to choose a major or minor from outside your main study area – we call them ‘open access’ majors and minors.

You can choose to study a wide range of languages as an open access major or minor. Explore the full list.

Want to try out a language before committing to a full major or minor?

If you’re studying a degree which includes electives from anywhere in the University, you can undertake a language as an elective. With a range of starting points – from beginners to advanced – you can study at a level that matches your current competency.

If you’re studying a degree at another institution, you may be able to undertake a language major, minor or elective(s) with La Trobe through a cross-institutional enrolment.

Talk to our team to find out more.

Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is the language of the Australian Deaf community. It represents one of two sign language traditions in Australia, alongside First Nations signed languages.

Auslan evolved from the sign languages brought to Australia in the early nineteenth century by deaf convicts and settlers from the United Kingdom and Ireland. It has been called a dialect of British Sign Language and the two sign languages are closely related. Both sign languages are also related to New Zealand Sign Language.

Although sign languages are distinct, they appear to be more alike than unrelated spoken languages, and sometimes share vocabulary and grammar. So learning one sign language, such as Auslan, makes it easier to learn other sign languages.

Our Auslan minor is available online.

Learn more about Auslan.

Chinese is spoken by nearly one-fifth of the global population. Our Chinese Studies program will give you the opportunity to develop skills in oral and written Chinese (Mandarin), and enhance your understanding in China’s past (culture and tradition) and present (economy and technology).

Opportunities are available to spend one or two semesters studying in China as part of an exchange program.

Learn more about Chinese Studies.

Our French Studies program will help you develop your proficiency in the language and your knowledge of French history, society and culture.

French is spoken on all continents and in various organisations including the United Nations and Médecins Sans Frontières. The language prepares you to excel in a range of careers including education, translating and interpreting, foreign affairs and trade, international law and humanitarian work.

Opportunities are available to spend one or two semesters studying in France as part of an exchange program.

Learn more about French Studies.

Our Greek Studies program gives you the opportunity to study the Greek language, culture, history and politics from the ancient world to contemporary Greece. The language prepares you to excel in a range of careers including education, translating and interpreting, health, banking and tourism.

You will develop a critical understanding of the evolution of Greek culture in its original homeland and the diaspora, including multicultural Australia.

Opportunities are available to study in Greece as part of an exchange program.

Learn more about Greek Studies.

Our Hindi Studies program introduces you to a language with around half a billion speakers, the language of Bollywood cinema, and one of the fastest growing community languages in Australia.

Hindi gives you access to the larger linguistic world of South Asia, including competence in Urdu. It prepares you to excel in a range of careers including media, diplomacy and health.

Our Hindi major is available online.

Learn more about Hindi Studies.

Our Italian Studies program combines study of the language with Italian culture, literature, cinema, history and translation. Our focus is on contemporary Italy, but you can explore aspects of early modern, Renaissance and twentieth-century Italy in selected subjects.

Italian is taught at a range of levels, starting with beginners. For those with prior knowledge of and/or qualifications in the language, a placement test and interview may be used to determine a student’s suitability for entry level.

The language prepares you to excel in a range of careers including education, diplomacy, government, social work, art history and restoration, international business, publishing, journalism, tourism, and translating and interpreting.

Opportunities are available to spend one or two semesters studying in Italy as part of an exchange program.

Learn more about Italian Studies.

Our Japanese Studies program combines the study of the language with Japanese society, civilisation and culture.

Japanese is one of the major language subjects in Australian primary and secondary schools. The language prepares you to excel in a range of careers including education, hospitality, diplomacy, government, business, publishing, tourism, translating and interpreting.

Japanese is taught at a range of levels, from beginners through to advanced. A placement test and interview may be used to determine a student’s suitability for entry level. First year Japanese is available online.

Opportunities are available to spend one or two semesters studying in Japan as part of an exchange program.

Learn more about Japanese Studies.

Our Spanish Studies Program integrates language learning with the exploration of Spanish and Latin American history, culture, and society.

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world by native speakers, with over 500 million people across 21 countries using it as their first language. It is also the third most widely used language on the internet, and a relevant language in international development and diplomatic contexts as an official language of the United Nations and the World Bank.

You can major in Spanish Studies no matter your skill level.

Opportunities are available to spend time studying in Spain or Latin American countries as part of an exchange program.

Learn more about Spanish Studies.