Humanities and social sciencesUWA Language Hub
Become a bilingual citizen of the world at the largest language hub in WA.
With our unique course structure, you can combine a language with your other interests to create your perfect study plan. French and Finance? Chinese and Chemistry? German and Geography? Japanese and Jurisprudence? It is up to you. All of our languages are undergraduate majors within our Bachelor of Arts.
You’ll learn to translate not just words, but ideas. During your studies, you can put your skills into practice by travelling overseas with one of our many global learning opportunities, from short courses to long-term student exchange programs.
After completing an undergraduate major in any of our eight modern languages, you could continue on to our Master of Translation Studies (the only course of its kind in Western Australia) to gain a prestigious professional qualification. The Master of Translation Studies (12520) is accredited by the National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Where could your language studies take you? UWA is the leading institution in WA for language learning.
Languages at UWA
Explore the European, Asian and classical languages available to study at UWA.
Chinese studies
More than one billion people speak Chinese (Mandarin), making it the world’s most spoken language. Study Chinese and open up doors to an exciting international career.
French studies
Studying French at UWA is more than simply learning a language. It's an experience which will open your mind to different cultures, enrich you with a knowledge of history and enable you to engage in real world issues.
German studies
German is one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe and, as a result, can open doors to many enriching cultural experiences.
Indonesian studies
A major in Indonesian Studies enables you to achieve a high level of fluency in the language and learn about the unique culture and history of the country.
Italian studies
Learn Italian while also exploring the riches of Italy's cultural past and its dynamic present.
Japanese studies
This major offers you a passport to appreciating one of Asia's foremost economic and cultural powerhouses.
Korean studies
Learn to speak and write Korean while exploring Korean societies, politics and culture, and developing an understanding of the two Koreas’ place in the world.
Spanish studies
Spanish is the second most-spoken native language in the world, and UWA is the only university in WA to offer Spanish Studies.
Language courses in focus
See some of our undergradute and postgraduate language study options, including an assured pathway.
Bachelor of Modern Languages
The Bachelor of Modern Languages enables students with a particular interest in world languages and cultures to study two languages in depth.
Students achieve a high competency in the four macro skills of reading, listening, speaking, and writing, while acquiring a range of transferable skills.
Assured Pathway for Master of Translation Studies
Master the art of language with a degree in Translation Studies and become a bilingual/multilingual professional, able to compete and thrive in an increasingly globalised job market.
You can pursue a Master of Translation Studies at UWA via an Assured Pathway after completing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a relevant major.
Master of Commerce and Master of Translation Studies
This double master’s degree is the only one of its kind in Australia and teaches complementary skills in Business and Translation Studies.
You’ll complete translation training between English and one of eight Asian and European languages, alongside a commerce specialisation.
Discover a new language with our short courses
Follow your interests, stay curious, and enjoy learning through AccessUWA, enabling you to study individual units without being enrolled in a degree course at UWA.
Open to everyone, learn a language without the stress of assignments and as a non-assessed student through AccessUWA.
View our range of language units*
*We recommend selecting first year units (codes starting with ‘1’).
Student work placements
Students in the Master of Translation Studies can complete a six-week internship in Australia or overseas to get practical training and establish professional contacts.
Student Bei Zhou (Master of Translation Studies – Chinese specialisation) completed her internship with the UWA Confucius Institute in 2018.
This six weeks’ work placement has definitely been a rewarding experience for me. I gained experience in terms of handling ethical issues, getting along with co-workers, and choosing different strategies as per translation theories (learned in the course at UWA).
Student Spotlight | Where your language degree can take you
See where your languages study can take you as we follow UWA Spanish Studies student Carl on his trailblazing journey through Europe.
For career pathways without borders, find out more about UWA's new Bachelor of Modern Languages and truly become a citizen of the world.
Mutsumi no ma and Japanese Garden
The Mutsumi no ma (traditional tatami room) and Japanese Garden are treasured facilities used by students and members of the UWA Japanese Society to enrich their understanding of Japanese culture.
Your future starts here
Combine a language with your passions to design a study path that’s uniquely yours. From global exchange opportunities to postgraduate pathways in translation, your language studies can open doors around the world.Need some help? Get in touch
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View our Frequently Asked Questions for all UWA-related queries.
Domestic students
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International students
Open 8.30am - 5.00pm (AWST) Monday to Friday
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Visit the Future Students Centre between 9.00am - 4.00pm, Monday to Friday, or book an appointment.