two female students walking and talking together

Choose from seven 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 and are subject to availability.

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
  • 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. 

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). 

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.  

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 Café

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

Moodle

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

Get in touch about learning a language for free

Institution Wide Language Programme

iwlp@port.ac.uk

Sport in Portsmouth

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

Person running on Southsea seafront
Let's play

Societies and Students' 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