Join us at Laurier

Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.

Steps to Apply

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Steps to Apply

Undergraduate AdmissionsGraduate Admissions

Languages (BA)

waterloo

Become multilingual, develop your intercultural understanding and enhance your ability to think critically. You’ll gain invaluable communication skills and a heightened awareness of cultural connections in this unique program, making you a highly competitive candidate for diverse careers in Canada and abroad. There are many options to tailor your degree. Study linguistics, take a minor in another language or experience hands-on research.

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you can add to your Languages program:

  • Apply for co-op at the end of your first year and gain real-world work experience.
  • Go on an international exchange to practice your language skills abroad.
  • Take translation courses to gain practical experience that you can add to your resume.
  • Volunteer at a local school or another local organization to gain language and professional experience.

Check out the Languages Experience Guide.

 

2020 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2019/20

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term)     OUAC code: UH
Ontario High School Admission Requirements
  • Minimum admission range: low 70s.
  • Competitive admission range based on last year’s admitted students: low 80s.
  • English at 60%.
Canadian Admission Requirements (Outside of Ontario)

Students applying to this program from a Canadian province outside of Ontario are encouraged to review our course equivalents by province chart. This chart will show you what courses from your province are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under Ontario High School Admission Requirements.
International Admission Requirements

Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements; you must also meet all program-specific requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.

English-Proficiency Requirement

Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you experience success in your academic courses.

Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.

If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.

Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) Program

The Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) program is an academic English program for Laurier applicants who have to prove English proficiency. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English- proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the LEAF program.
College Pathways

Graduates from a two-year general Arts and Science diploma program can apply to Languages within the Faculty of Arts on Laurier’s Waterloo campus. To be considered for admission to the Faculty of Arts, graduates must have an overall average of 75% in their program and achieve a minimum of 60% in a 4U English course or equivalent.

Learn more about our college transfer agreement.

Other Admission Requirements

Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for university students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more. 

Your Next Steps

Apply Now Strengthen Your Application Important Dates

Program Details

Become a Truly Multilingual Graduate

Laurier’s Bachelor of Arts in Languages is the first of its kind in Canada. You’ll have the opportunity to study two languages in depth: French and Spanish. Then you'll add to your thorough knowledge of French and Spanish by acquiring basic, working knowledge of a third language of your choice (Arabic, German or Italian). You're also required to take courses in linguistics or cultural perspectives (European and Mediterranean) to round out your education.

If you have prior language experience and are interested in taking French and Spanish upper-level courses, be sure to consult with the Languages and Literatures department.

Study Abroad and Hone Your Skills

Our professors use innovative teaching methods and creative projects. You are encouraged to study abroad in your third year while completing courses towards your degree. Studying languages will open the door to the world and endless opportunities.
 
You'll gain invaluable communication skills and a heightened awareness of cultural connections while enhancing your ability to think critically about the world around you. You will further strengthen this if you choose to go on an international exchange in your third or fourth year.

Program Options and Courses

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Arabic Minor
  • Education Minor
  • German Minor
  • Italian Minor
  • Spanish Minor

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

First-Year Courses

You'll have the option to select three of the following courses:

  • Cultural Perspectives I
  • Cultural Perspectives II
  • Sound, Structure, and Meaning
  • Language Acquisition, Cognition, and Society
  • Mare Nostrum: Mediterranean Travels
  • Mediterranean Culture and Civilization I
  • Mediterranean Culture and Civilization II

In addition, you'll choose 3.5 credits from French and Spanish, and one of Arabic and German, Italian or Latin courses.

Sample First-Year Courses

  • Introductory French
  • Introductory Spanish
  • Modern Standard Arabic

Upper-Year Courses

  • Francophone Myths, Legends and Voodoo
  • Language through Popular Culture
  • Mediterranean Culture and Civilization

Similar Programs

Co-op

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

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"My four years at Laurier were the best of my life. I met so many wonderful students who became close friends and teachers who became mentors. This wonderful program opened my eyes to so many issues and languages. It gave me the confidence I never thought was possible and a belief I never thought I would have in myself."

Patricia Sofroniuc, Languages graduate

"I loved my time at Laurier and miss it and the languages department very much! Taking languages as a degree was the most valuable thing I did – it has opened up so many opportunities for me!"

Brittany Howlett, Languages graduate, bilingual Resources Coordinator at CATIE

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • bilingual officer
  • communications specialist
  • customs/immigration officer
  • dialect coach
  • ESL instructor
  • film translator (dubbing)
  • foreign correspondent
  • interpreter
  • policy analyst
  • translator

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

"I really enjoyed the exchange opportunities this program offers to interact with French, German and Spanish natives. This program gives professional opportunities in Canada to the many immigrants who speak more than one language."

Evelyn Barragan, Languages graduate

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 519.884.0710 x3385 or see all contact information.

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