Languages courses
Help me choose a courseIntroduction to Languages
Learning a language isn’t just about memorising vocabulary, studying grammar and making sense of new sounds. It’s about immersing yourself in another culture. When you find new ways to communicate, the world opens, and you start to see and do things differently.
We’ve partnered with leading Australian universities to offer you the choice to study the language you want, and the flexibility to study how you want.
Get multicultural and multilingual. Communicate with confidence in your chosen language—and pick up a culture’s history and politics along the way.
Explore languages courses
Discover languages courses
Online languages subjects and short courses
UndergraduateUSA-LANG1064
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 16 Sep 2024
UndergraduateUNE-EDEE100
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 21 Oct 2024
UndergraduateCUR-EDC494
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 25 Nov 2024
Online languages degrees
UndergraduateUNE-MDL-DIP
Explore the world through language and culture
100% online
1 year full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Available majors
- Chinese Language Major,
- French Language Major,
- German Language Major,
- Indonesian Language Major,
- Italian Language Major,
- Japanese Language Major
UndergraduateCUR-JPN-DEG
Thrive in an international context
100% online
3 years full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DIP
Start with the subjects you’re passionate about
100% online
1 year full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Available majors
- Arts stream,
- Global studies stream,
- Politics, philosophy and economics stream,
- Visual arts stream
UndergraduateCUR-CHN-DEG
Explore the language, culture, and society of China
100% online
3 years full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
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Languages study FAQs
How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.
Chat with us to find out more.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.
For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
- You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there. - You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you. - You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students. - We’ll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
Boost your career with a language
A second language can enhance your career options.If you’re looking to work overseas, or for a multinational within Australia, extra languages on your CV help you stand out. If there’s a particular country or region you’d love to work in, picking up one of the local languages is a smart idea.
By choosing language electives or minors, you’ll make your degree as unique as you are and gain a competitive edge. Many undergraduate degrees offer this opportunity. Look for courses that include free-choice subjects (as opposed to mandatory) that let you pursue your interests.
National languages of Asia
| I want to learn | We recommend exploring |
|---|---|
| Arabic - the common language of the Arab world and the liturgical language of Islam | Arabic courses |
| Auslan - Australian sign language | Auslan courses |
| Burmese - the official language of Myanmar | Burmese courses |
| Gamilaraay - an Indigenous Australian language | Gamilaraay courses |
| Hindi - the official language of India | Hindi courses |
| Indonesian - the official language of Indonesia | Indonesian courses |
| Japanese - the official language of Japan | Japanese courses |
| Korean - the official language of North Korea and South Korea | Korean courses |
| Mandarin - used in China, and the world's most spoken native language | Mandarin courses |
| Mongolian - the official language of Mongolia | Mongolian courses |
| Persian - the mother tongue of more than 150 million people in the Middle East | Persian courses |
| Tetum - a language of Timor-Leste | Tetum courses |
| Thai - the national and official language of Thailand | Thai courses |
| Tibetan - a language of Tibet | Tibetan courses |
| Tok Pisin - an official language of Papua New Guinea | Tok Pisin courses |
| Vietnamese - the national and official language of Vietnam | Vietnamese courses |
Classical and ancient languages to study
| I want to learn | We recommend exploring |
|---|---|
| Arabic - the common language of the Arab world and the liturgical language of Islam | Arabic courses |
| Gamilaraay - an Indigenous Australian language | Gamilaraay courses |
| Ancient Greek - one of the most important languages of the ancient world | Ancient Greek courses |
| Hebrew - the classical Hebrew language | Hebrew courses |
| Latin - a classical language and discover the blueprint of modern western languages | Latin courses |
| Literary Chinese - the language of the classical period of Chinese literature | Literary Chinese courses |
| Sanskrit - a classical language of India | Sanskrit courses |
Popular European languages
| I want to learn | We recommend exploring |
|---|---|
| French - the official language of France | French courses |
| German - the official language of Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg | German courses |
| Greek - the official language of Greece and Cyprus | Greek courses |
| Italian - the official language of Italy | Italian courses |
| Spanish - the world's second-most spoken native language | Spanish courses |
| Portuguese - the native language of Brazil and Portugal | Portuguese course |
| Turkish - the official language of Turkey | Turkish courses |
Student stories and study advice
Your essential guide to finding work overseas
Ever dreamed of living and working overseas? We share where to start, what to know before you go, and tips from someone who’s embarked on the journey.
What is Auslan? Here are 7 facts to know
It’s a beautiful, complex and creative visual language that uses hand shapes, facial expressions and body language. And no, it’s not just English conveyed through signs.
How long does it take to learn a language?
It’s an impressive skill, and a surefire way to make your resume stand out; but is it possible to learn a new language without around the clock study? We chat to an expert to find out.
What is TESOL?
Want more than a traditional teaching career? Life as a TESOL teacher could be the ideal path for you. Let's explore what this teaching specialty is, and why it can lead to opportunities all over the world.We’re here to guide you to the right uni course
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Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.
You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni
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Enrol in courses from 25 of Australia's leading universities
