Languages courses

Learn more about living when you learn a language online

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Introduction 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
just-added-antonetta
Antonetta studied languages (Sanskrit) with ANU, through Open Universities Australia

Discover languages courses

Online languages subjects and short courses

La Trobe University

UndergraduateLTU-JPN1001

Japanese 1

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 29 Jul 2024

Curtin University

UndergraduateCUR-EDC494

Language and Diversity

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 25 Nov 2024

University of South Australia

UndergraduateUSA-LANG1064

Intercultural Communication

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 01 Apr 2024, 16 Sep 2024

University of New England

UndergraduateUNE-EDEE100

English Language in Use

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 24 Jun 2024, 21 Oct 2024

Online languages degrees

University of New England

UndergraduateUNE-MDL-DIP

Diploma in Modern Languages

Explore the world through language and culture

Learn to read, write, and speak in another language. Choices include Italian, Japanese, French, and more. Includes cultural studies for a well-rounded knowledge of your chosen language. Future-proof your career, prepare for travel. Unlock opportunities. 

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,  
Curtin University

UndergraduateCUR-JPN-DEG

Bachelor of Arts (Japanese)

Thrive in an international context

Explore modern Japanese culture, develop communication skills and advance your career. Learn through innovative teaching, practical resources and in-depth insights into Japanese social and business practices.

100% online

3 years full time or part time equivalent

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

La Trobe University

UndergraduateLAT-ART-DIP

Diploma of Arts

Start with the subjects you’re passionate about

Follow your interests on this humanities pathway into university. Choices range from languages to history, politics, and philosophy. Pick up important skills like critical thinking and collaboration. Shape your future in the arts and social science.

100% online

1 year full time or part time equivalent

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Curtin University

UndergraduateCUR-CHN-DEG

Bachelor of Arts (Chinese)

Explore the language, culture, and society of China

Study Chinese culture and business practices. You’ll develop your Chinese language skills from beginner to advanced. Expand your world view. Communicate across cultures. Start to think about engaging with the Chinese community.

100% online

3 years full time or part time equivalent

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Discover 299 ways to study languages with leading Australian universities.

Explore languages courses

Need help choosing the right course?

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Languages study FAQs

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 learnWe recommend exploring 
Arabic - the common language of the Arab world and the liturgical language of IslamArabic courses
Auslan - Australian sign languageAuslan courses
Burmese - the official language of MyanmarBurmese courses
Gamilaraay - an Indigenous Australian languageGamilaraay courses
Hindi - the official language of IndiaHindi courses
Indonesian - the official language of IndonesiaIndonesian courses
Japanese - the official language of JapanJapanese courses
Korean - the official language of North Korea and South KoreaKorean courses
Mandarin - used in China, and the world's most spoken native languageMandarin courses
Mongolian - the official language of MongoliaMongolian courses
Persian - the mother tongue of more than 150 million people in the Middle EastPersian courses
Tetum - a language of Timor-LesteTetum courses
Thai - the national and official language of ThailandThai courses 
Tibetan - a language of TibetTibetan courses
Tok Pisin - an official language of Papua New GuineaTok Pisin courses
Vietnamese - the national and official language of VietnamVietnamese courses

Classical and ancient languages to study

I want to learnWe recommend exploring
Arabic - the common language of the Arab world and the liturgical language of IslamArabic courses
Gamilaraay - an Indigenous Australian languageGamilaraay courses
Ancient Greek - one of the most important languages of the ancient worldAncient Greek courses
Hebrew - the classical Hebrew languageHebrew courses
Latin - a classical language and discover the blueprint of modern western languagesLatin courses
Literary Chinese - the language of the classical period of Chinese literatureLiterary Chinese courses
Sanskrit - a classical language of IndiaSanskrit courses

Popular European languages

I want to learnWe recommend exploring
French - the official language of FranceFrench courses
German - the official language of Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and LuxembourgGerman courses
Greek - the official language of Greece and CyprusGreek courses
Italian - the official language of ItalyItalian courses
Spanish - the world's second-most spoken native languageSpanish courses
Portuguese - the native language of Brazil and PortugalPortuguese course
Turkish - the official language of TurkeyTurkish courses

Student stories and study advice

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.

Why now is the best time to learn a language

Still on the fence about pursuing that Mandarin or Spanish course you’ve been contemplating for years? Here’s why we think you should enrol now and never look back!

We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

A student leaping from one side of a platform to another, with a blue sky in the background.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.

Over 515,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.

How we can help you

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

We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.

You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year

We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.

You can rely on us as an unbiased destination for online tertiary education

As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.

Enrol in courses from 25 of Australia's leading universities

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