two female students walking and talking together

Choose from 8 languages

Studying for personal interest and for credits you can put towards your degree

Learning another language at university is a great way to meet new people and make yourself more employable.

Being able to talk confidently with people who speak another language is also useful when you work, study or take a holiday abroad.

When you study with us on campus, you can learn a language for free alongside your course with our Institution-Wide Language Programme (IWLP). When studying a full-time undergraduate degree, you have the flexibility to choose to study a language for personal interest as well as for credits towards your degree.

These classes are in-person only.

Learn a language for free at the University of Portsmouth

Upbeat music plays throughout the video.

Languages you can study

  • Arabic
  • British Sign Language
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Mandarin
  • Spanish

Learn a language for fun or as part of your degree course

You can choose one of several language classes options, depending on your level and whether you'd like credit for the module.

Learn a language for fun 

Option 1: Beginner route without credits  

These classes are for students who have limited or no previous formal learning or qualifications in their chosen language. Most students join this beginner route. The beginner modules are divided into Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3. 

Applications for classes in Teaching Block 1 in 2024-25 will open 4 March 2024 and close 26 July 2024.

Applications for classes in Teaching Block 2 in 2024-25 will open 7 October 2024 and close 22 November 2024.

Your classes will be added to your timetable. First year undergraduate students can apply from Teaching Block 2 of their first year.

Application information

Option 2:  Advanced route without credits

If you have more substantial knowledge or existing qualifications in the language you'd like to study, you can apply for advanced language classes outside of your course. This is for students who have passed an A-level qualification in the language, (or equivalent). 

Applications for classes in Teaching Block 1 in 2024-25 will open 4 March 2024 and close 26 July 2024.

Applications for classes in Teaching Block 2 in 2024-25 will open 7 October 2024 and close 22 November 2024.

Application information

Learn a language as part of your course 

Option 3: Learning a language for credits

If you wish, you can achieve credits for studying a language at either beginner or advanced level in the second year of a full-time Bachelor's degree only. This will be a 20-credit module in either Teaching Block 1 (September - January) or Teaching Block 2 (January to May) of your second year. 

You can apply to do an IWLP module for credits when choosing your options for the next academic year. Your School will be able to advise you on how to proceed.

How the credits work

If you take a credit module at beginner level (Stages 1, 2 or 3), it is simply a ‘pass or fail’ module.

If you take a credit module at advanced level (Grade 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 6A and 6B), the final grade of the module will count towards your degree classification.

How language classes work

Study level

When you apply, we'll determine your ability and which language level suits you best.

Classes and your timetable

All seminars take place in-person, and students must be able to attend on-campus.

  • For Beginner Level (Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3) there is a weekly 2-hour seminar. 
  • For Advanced Level (Grade 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 6A and 6B) there is a weekly 2-hour seminar plus a 1-hour seminar.

Each IWLP module lasts one Teaching Block. You can study your chosen language either in Teaching Block 1, or in Teaching Block 2 – or in both teaching blocks of an academic year, if you wish.

There are 11 classes in Teaching Block 1 and another 12 classes in Teaching Block 2. 

Once your place is confirmed, the classes will appear on your timetable. Please check your timetable regularly, as these classes will be added as the semester progresses.

group of students in coffee shop working

Extra support and resources

Away from language classes, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get extra support to practise your language skills.

Language Corner

The Language Corner service is an optional weekly drop-in session for students enrolled on an IWLP module. You can meet with a language tutor, get help with specific challenges and practise your skills with a proficient speaker of your chosen language.

Global Cafe

The Global Café is held each week in Park Building. Students from all over the world meet here to learn about each other's cultures and practise speaking in each other's languages. 

Moodle

Moodle is the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE). You can access all IWLP study resources on Moodle from anywhere with a web connection.

 


 

Sport in Portsmouth

From water sports to football and quidditch - few cities can compete with Portsmouth's sports opportunities.

Portsmouth FC vs Exeter City FC
For UoP internal use only
Let's play

Societies and student union

How to get involved in your Union including the clubs and societies you can join.

Collage of student union activities, including lacrosse
Read more

Art, culture and nightlife in Portsmouth

There's so much to see and do in Portsmouth – from art galleries and museums, to nightclubs and late-night cafes

B Roll shoot
Read more

Places to eat in Portsmouth

Hungry for adventure? Here's a taster of the great food and drink you can savour in the city.

City Guide: Gin & Olive
Grub's up