Australia’s leading university language program

When you study languages at Monash, you'll be studying at Australia’s largest international university, ranked in the top 1%* in the world for Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Learn a language at any level

Whether you are a beginner, studied a language at high school, or are a fluent speaker, at Monash you will find the entry point that's right for you. That's because all languages at Monash are taught from absolute beginner to advanced levels. Studying a language is available to all Monash University students, even if you have no prior study.

The most common entry points are beginner (for those with no or minimal knowledge of the language), and intermediate (for those with high school experience), with some language options for higher proficiency students such as heritage learners.

Non-beginners will take a language placement test to determine which level and entry point is best for you.

Study a language with any Monash undergraduate degree

There are 9 ways to study a language at Monash:

1. As a major in the Bachelor of Arts.
2. As a minor or Arts electives in a Bachelor of Arts.
3. As a specialisation in the Bachelor of Global Studies.
4. As part of our overseas language programs.
5. As free electives in any Arts single degree. All Arts single degrees offer you 8 free electives, so you can complete a language major if you want to.
6. In any Monash Bachelor’s single degree that offers you free electives, eg. a Bachelor of Science.
7. In a Diploma of Languages studied concurrently in your single or double bachelor’s degree.
8. As a single unit/subject on an upfront fee paying basis. This is great for anyone who does not want to enrol in an entire degree.
9. As cross-institutional study if you are studying at another university that does not offer a language we offer at Monash.

Develop cultural competency and be career ready

In a globalised workplace, cultural competency is vital for an ever-increasing number of careers and businesses. At Monash you will build your intercultural competency skills alongside practical training in the written and spoken language, by learning language in the context of history, culture and contemporary society. You will develop critical awareness of language use in literature, film, philosophy, politics, popular culture and linguistics.

Be supported with access to unparalleled leading centres and resources including the Monash Intercultural Lab, Korean Studies Research Hub, Herb Feith Indonesian Engagement Centre, Japanese Language Education Centre , Japanese Studies Centre including the Manga Library, and journals in French and German.

Leading and supportive language experts

Our internationally recognised teaching staff are highly experienced educators passionate about sharing the richness of their chosen language. They are dedicated to developing your communicative competence and helping you achieve your language goals.

Events, activities and competitions are held regularly, including the annual worldwide Chinese Bridge competition in which many Monash students have ranked as finalists and winners.

Total immersion experiences

Gain in-country immersion opportunities through short-term to semester-length studies at over 130 partner institutions in more than 30 countries. Advance your language skills and experience in locations including Beijing, Granada, Osaka, Prato, Salatiga, Seoul, Shanghai and Vichy.

Further study

The Monash Masters of Interpreting and Translation Studies, for students with advanced bilingual proficiency, will develop your skills in translation and interpreting in English and another language and is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

Monash is the only university in Australia to be a Conférence Internationale d’Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes (CUITI) member, the world's oldest and most prestigious international association of tertiary institutions offering degrees in translation and interpreting.

Languages

Hear from our languages graduates

*Monash ranks highly in worldwide university subject ratings, including in English Language and Literature (47th), Modern Languages (61st), and Arts and Humanities (42nd), and this places Monash in the top 1% worldwide for Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences. Find out more.