Language study at university is an exciting option for students. If you are already studying a language (or languages) at school, or if you already have some knowledge of a language, you can continue to advance your skills at university. You might also consider studying a new language. It’s never been easier or more affordable to do either—you can include language study in many degrees offered at Australian universities, or you might consider adding a Diploma of Languages to your undergraduate degree. Check the University Languages Portal Australia or relevant university websites for more information about your options.

#2  What languages can I study at university? 

The languages available depend on which university you attend. University Languages Portal Australia has a comprehensive list of what’s available at each Australian university. You can also reach out to your preferred university’s student advisers, to discuss what’s on offer and how to include language study into your degree.

#3  How will studying a language at university reduce the cost of my degree?

The Job-ready Graduates Package was an October 2020 reform to higher education funding by the Australian Government. As a result of these reforms, the cost of a language major for domestic students is now about one quarter ($4,124) of the cost of most other law, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, communications, social sciences and humanities majors ($15,142). You can significantly reduce the cost of your university studies by adding a language to your degree.

Each subject or unit of study of your degree  is classified into a student contribution band (Bands 1-4), depending on the study area of the unit (this may be different from the study area of your course). The amount you pay for a unit of study is usually the maximum allowed by the Government for that band. Under the Job-ready Graduates Package, languages are designated a Band 1 “priority” study area, so the maximum you will pay for studying a language at university is $4,124 per full-time equivalent year of study (EFTSL) — or about $500 per subject or unit of study. This is the maximum a university is permitted to charge Commonwealth-supported domestic students, however each university determines its course fees based on these Government funding rates, so the exact cost of studying a language may depend on the university and course you choose. Please check the relevant university website for information about the exact fees you will be pay for studying a language as part of your degree

#4  How much will studying a language at university reduce the cost of my degree?

In general terms, a three-year undergraduate degree at an Australian university involves completing units of study equating to a total study load of three (3) Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (or EFTSL). At most Australian universities a standard subject or unit of study is worth 0.125 EFTSL. Thus completion of a three-year degree at most Australian universities involves completion of 24 subjects or units of study. Under the Job-ready Graduates Package, if you were to select all 24 units of study from Band 1 study areas (including languages), the maximum you will pay for your degree (as of 2023) as a Commonwealth supported domestic student via HECS-HELP is $12,372 [3 x $4,124]. By comparison, if you were to select all 24 units of study from Band 4 study areas (Law, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, communications, and most social sciences and humanities), the total cost of your degree (as of 2023) will be $45,426 [3 EFSTL x $15,142].

In practice, most students will select units of study from across a range of [Band 1-4] study areas. So the actual total cost of your degree will fall somewhere between $12,372 and $45,426. However, under  the Job-ready Graduates Package, the more Band 1 units of study you incorporate into your degree, the less costly your degree will be, and the smaller your HECS-HELP debt will be at the conclusion of your studies.

#5  Do I need to major in a language at uni in order to reduce the cost of my degree? What if I just want to try a language subject or two as an elective?

No. You don’t need to major in a language to minimise the cost of your studies. As a Commonwealth supported domestic student, under the Job-ready Graduates Package each unit of study from Band 1 study areas  (including languages) that you add to your degree will incrementally reduce the cost of your degree. Even picking up a couple of language subjects as an elective will reduce the cost of your degree and the size of your HECS-HELP debt at the conclusion of your studies.  

#6  How much will I pay for a language subject at uni? How does this compare to other subjects?

Under the Job-ready Graduates Package, languages are designated a Band 1 “priority” study area, so the maximum you will pay for studying a language at university is $4,124 per full-time equivalent year of study (EFTSL) or about $500 per subject or unit of study (assuming a weighting of 0.125 EFTSL per subject or unit of study. NB. Per subject EFTSL weighting can vary between Australian universities, and even between faculties within the same university.) This is the maximum a university is permitted to charge Commonwealth-supported domestic students.

By comparison, under the Job-ready Graduates Package, as of 2023, the maximum student contribution for Band 4 study areas including Law, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, communications, and most social sciences and humanities is $15,142 per full-time equivalent year of study (EFTSL) or about $1,893 per subject or unit of study (again assuming a weighting of 0.125 EFTSL per subject).

#7 How many language subjects (or units of study) do I need to earn a language major at university?

A language major normally consists of a sequence of eight subjects or units of study undertaken over the course of a three-year undergraduate degree (assuming a weighting of 0.125 EFTSL per subject). Course requirements for achieving a major do, however, vary among Australian universities.

#8 Will I still save on HECS if I study a language at uni as part of a Diploma in Languages?

Yes. A Diploma is a standalone or “add-on” university qualification typically equivalent to one year of full-time study (or 1 EFTSL).  At most Australian universities, a Diploma of Languages involves undertaking the same eight subject sequence that a three-year Bachelor degree student undertakes to receive a language major. Under the Job-ready Graduates Package, languages are designated a Band 1 “priority” study area, so the maximum you will pay for studying a language at university is $4,124 per full-time equivalent year of study (EFTSL) — or about $500 per subject or unit of study. This is the maximum a university is permitted to charge Commonwealth-supported domestic students.  

As of 2023, a one-year / 1 EFTSL / eight subject Diploma of Languages course will cost you $4,124 to complete — or about a quarter of the cost ($15,142) of completing a Diploma in Band 4 study areas including Law, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, communications, and most social sciences and humanities.

#9 How will studying a language at university improve my employment prospects?

Speaking another language increases your job opportunities and gives you an advantage over monolingual English-speakers in business, international relations, politics and much more. There are language-specific careers, such as interpreting and translating, language teaching, and travel and tourism. But there are many other areas where a language gives you an edge: diplomacy, national security and strategy, trade, defence, journalism, development and many other fields. As language learning enhances your problem-solving and communication skills, learning a language also prepares you well for a wide range of jobs.