Students studying in a group

Open Languages options (as part of your degree: electives and minors)

Open Languages (OL) enables current UoL undergraduates and postgraduates to study a language as an optional (elective) module or a minor in their degree programme or in addition to their degree, as an extra-curricular activity.

Students in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) can study a language as a named part of their degree, as 25% of their programme (minor) alongside another subject which will be 75% of their studies (major). Students with a 75-25% combination will be enrolled in LCF degree modules with the option to take a year abroad. Please email hlcenq@liverpool.ac.uk for more information on minors.

The following programmes offer OL modules as minors in Year 1 to Single Honours students who intend to study a language only in their first year, and continue with their degree course at 100% in year 2.

  • History BA (Hons) (V100)
  • International Relations BA (Hons) (L240).

The following departments and programmes offer to take up to 30 credits per year in a language option as part of their degree.

  • Department of Chemistry – selected UG and PG programmes (F100/F102/FZ11/FZ61/F103/FZB2/FZBF/F001/F002)
  • Department of Geography and Planning - BSc Geography (FZ00) and BA Geography (L70A)
  • International Business BA (Hons) (N120)
  • International Business with a Year in Industry BA (Hons) (N121)
  • MA in Translation (TRNS).

The following departments and programmes offer to take up to 15 credits per year in a language option as part of their degree.

  • Maths BSC (Hons) (G100)
  • Maths (MMath) MSC - G101
  • Applied Mathematics BSc (Hons) - G121
  • Environmental Science - BSc - F75A.

Registrations are completed by the Open Languages Team. Please contact both your Student Experience Team and the Open Languages Team (openlang@liverpool.ac.uk) if you wish to take a language as part of your degree. The modules are subject to availability and must not clash with your existing timetable. If you are unsure of your level, please follow the language level chart here. 

Chinese (Mandarin) Hanging Chinese lanterns

Chinese (Mandarin)

Learning Chinese through Open Languages gives you the chance to become proficient in reading, writing, speaking and listening to the language, whilst also developing your knowledge of Chinese history, society, political economy and culture.

French A bridge over the River Seine, Paris at sunset

French

French is one of the world's most important languages in terms of speaker numbers and its role in science, industry and international diplomacy.

German Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

German

German is a major language of business, commerce and science, as well as the gateway to a vibrant and modern multicultural society with a rich and complex past.

Italian Colliseum in Rome

Italian

The Italian language carries an unparalleled cultural capital. Italian culture is truly global and testifies to the human passion for learning and making art, beauty, and history.

Spanish Palace in Madrid, Spain

Spanish

Spanish is one of the world's most widely spoken languages with considerable global reach. Speaking Spanish opens up dynamic and fast-changing parts of the world outside Europe.

Arabic

Arabic

Arabic is the official language of the 22 countries that form the Arab League. There are more than 300 million Arabic speakers across the world, though they predominantly live in the region stretching across the Middle East and North Africa

Russian

Russian

Russian is an East Slavic language native to the Russians in Eastern Europe. It is an official language in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as being widely used throughout the Baltic states, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Japanese

Japanese

Japanese is the official language of Japan, which has a population of over 125m. You'll also find a sizeable expatriate presence in major cities such as London, New York and Paris.

Basque and Catalan

Basque, and Catalan may be available as curricular options only (as part of your degree). This option will depend on your previous knowledge of the language and on your personal timetable.