World Languages and Cultures

Program overview

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Become a global citizen! The Major in World Languages and Cultures is designed to meet the realities of our interconnected, globalized world. Along with enhancing your language abilities and cross-cultural knowledge, you will develop strong communication and research skills — essential in today’s workplace. This flexible program offers language and cultural courses in a wide variety of languages, along with experience-based learning opportunities such as internships with international institutions and cultural communities in the National Capital Region and international exchanges. Experience the world while gaining lasting skills!

Choose from one of eight profiles — Arabic, Asian Studies (Chinese and/or Japanese), Celtic Studies, German, Italian, Latin American Studies, Russian or Spanish — or a combination of these profiles and other languages (such as Polish, Portuguese or Yiddish).

Why choose this program

Global Relevance: The major in world languages and cultures equips you to become a global citizen by enhancing your language abilities and cross-cultural knowledge, skills that are crucial in today's interconnected world.

Versatile Program: This flexible program offers language and cultural courses in various languages, providing a diverse and comprehensive learning experience.

Experience-Based Learning: Gain practical skills through internships with international institutions and cultural communities in the National Capital Region, as well as international exchanges, offering a hands-on approach to learning about different cultures.

Career Preparation: The major will provide you with language and intercultural competencies and fundamental skills in researching, organizing and interpreting information, as well as in critical and creative thinking that are invaluable assets in many professional career paths.

Diverse Language Options: Choose a single-language or multilingual profile from among the languages and regional studies we teach: Arabic, Asian Studies, Celtic Studies, Chinese (Mandarin), German, Italian, Japanese, Latin American Studies, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Yiddish providing a broad range of linguistic and cultural expertise.

Program structure

Get a glimpse into how uOttawa’s World Languages and Cultures program is structured and the courses you’ll have the opportunity to take.

Understand program path and options

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Browse program options

The Major in World Languages and Cultures provides students with strong foundations in language learning and cultural studies. It develops communication, analytical and intercultural skills that are highly valued in a wide range of careers.

This program may be completed part time or full time and can be combined with other academic programs, depending on Faculty of Arts regulations.

What you’ll explore

Language and culture courses across multiple regions
Historical, social, and cultural perspectives
Skill development in communication and critical thinking

Program structure

Course sequence

Admission requirements and deadlines for World Languages and Culture

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After your studies

After completing your undergraduate studies in World Languages and Cultures, you have two main paths to consider: continuing your education or entering the workforce.

You may choose to pursue graduate studies, such as a Master’s degree (MA), to deepen your knowledge and develop advanced research, analytical, and critical thinking skills. A research-based MA is ideal if you’re interested in specializing in a topic or eventually pursuing a PhD.

Alternatively, you can move directly into the job market. Your degree can lead to a variety of careers in fields such as Book Editor, Writer, Content Developer (Web and Social Media), Digital Copywriter, Advertising or Marketing Consultant. These opportunities allow you to apply your skills in intercultural communication and cognitive adaptability in real-world settings.

Whether you choose further studies or enter the workforce, your degree provides a strong foundation to build a career in World Languages and Cultures.

Career development and experiential learning

Explore the world while studying full time at one of our partner institutions — for one or two terms — without paying international tuition fees. It’s a unique chance to broaden your horizons and enrich your university experience.

Learn more about Outgoing exchanges

Tuition and fees

Learn about the costs associated with your program and explore the scholarships and funding options available to help support you along the way.

Tuition fees

Scholarships and bursaries

Student experience

German Club

If you are interested in meeting fellow students, students from Germany on an exchange program and others interested in German language and culture, come join our events. On a regular basis, the German Club organizes a Stammtisch - an informal gathering of students, professors, and everybody else who is interested in German. The Club also organizes film evenings, an annual Christmas party, an end-of-term party and more.

Spanish Club "Entre Amigos"

If you are interested in the Hispanic culture, we offer you a great opportunity to interact with students who are learning Spanish and with people from all over South America and Spain to discover their cultures and experiences.
We offer a variety of activities to practice Spanish. We encourage students to come out for coffee and conversation in a relaxed environment, for movie nights and discussions afterwards in Cafe Nostalgica, for parties with salsa and merengue dances, and so much more.

Graduate Students' Association (GSAMLL)

Our mandate is to enhance environment in which our members pursue their collective academic interests.
The GSAMLL is a member of the larger Graduate Students Association of University of Ottawa (GSAED) and has a small budget administered by a committee of GSAMLL members.