Bachelor of Languages

Translate knowledge and culture  

Do you have a passion for languages? Are you fascinated by their complexity and deep entwinement with culture? Do you want to travel and connect in richer ways?

In a changing world, the study of languages has never been more relevant.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Languages is interactive and immersive. Whether you’ve studied a language to Year 12 level (or equivalent) or are just setting out on your language journey, we offer different streams to cater to your level of knowledge. You will:

  • develop proficiency in one or more languages
  • enhance your knowledge of the cultures they originate from
  • heighten your awareness of language systems
  • understand language’s role in society
  • build a greater appreciation of cultural diversity.

Our majors are:

  • Chinese Studies
  • French Studies
  • German Studies
  • Indonesian Studies
  • Italian Studies
  • Japanese Studies
  • Modern Greek Studies
  • Spanish Studies.

You can also major in Linguistics.

Where could it take you?

Language graduates have an upper hand in all sorts of exciting careers. You could find work as a foreign service officer in embassies, resolving international conflicts. You might translate for politicians or celebrities. You could become a professional linguist or help migrants access support.


  • Study a language to multiply your career options
  • Get the employment edge for a global career
  • Study at a university consistently ranked in the top 1% worldwide

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code www.satac.edu.au
2023 CSP ATAR 99.85
2023 CSP IB 45.25
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 70
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 25.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Prerequisites A SACE Stage 2 Language Other Than English (LOTE) subject. IB: a Group 2 Second Language subject
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Please note the subject prerequisite for this program must be met by all applicants - either completion of a SACE Stage 2 language subject (or equivalent), or the successful completion of at least two language course (0.5 years FTE) at a tertiary institution. The completed language course does not need to be in the same discipline that the student intends to pursue in the Bachelor of Languages. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 66.75
Median ATAR to receive an offer 72.7
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 97.9
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 72.35
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 81.15
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.85
Minimum eligibility score 65
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    <5 N/A
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    <5 N/A
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    N/A N/A
    International students N/A N/A
    All students 7 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

Apply

Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $7,185

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

The ability to communicate in another language is an asset in a range of occupations and industries such as interpreter/translator, linguist, public servant, foreign affairs, government officer, tutor, humanitarian/aid worker. It's a valuable addition to other professional interests, but it's also a great asset in its own right!

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Industry Placement

If you maintain a high GPA, you will have the opportunity take part in an internship in your third year with an organisation from within the arts, media, parliament or environment. These include State Parliament and a range of public and business sector agencies, where you can use the knowledge from your university study in a practical work environment, building valuable networks and gaining experience that counts towards your degree program and prepares you for your future career

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Language Recovery Program Officer;  Cultural Heritage Officer;  UN Human Rights Officer;  Indigenous Language Revitalisation Project Officer;  Workplace Relations Officer;  Diplomat;  Interpreter / Translator;  Linguist;  Broadcaster;  Diplomatic corps ...

Degree Structure

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Areas of Specialisation

The majors available for study are:

  • Chinese Studies
  • French Studies
  • German Studies
  • Indonesian Studies
  • Italian Studies
  • Japanese Studies
  • Linguistics
  • Modern Greek Studies
  • Spanish Studies

All languages offer different streams catering for students who have studied the language to Year 12 level (or equivalent) but also for anyone wanting to start learning a language from scratch. You may also major in Linguistics.

Students who did not study a language in high school, but have successfully completed two language courses (or the equivalent of 6 units) in another university degree, are eligible to apply for a place in the Bachelor of Languages. 

Example Study Plan

Testimonial

This degree catered to all the different career paths that I was considering.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Tuesday, 10 Oct 2023