Language Other Than English Requirement

• UC Berkeley
• UC Davis
• UC Irvine
• UCLA
• UC Merced
• UC Riverside
• UC San Diego
• UC San Barbara
• UC Santa Cruz

A language other than English may be required or recommended at the college, school, major or program level (for campus-specific requirements, use the links at right). The “e” subject requirement for freshman admission to UC requires two years of a language other than English. In some cases, this will satisfy the student’s foreign language requirement. In many cases, however, additional study is necessary at the college level. When appropriate, students should complete additional study of a language other than English before entering UC.

The “e” subject requirement for freshman admission to UC requires two years of a language other than English. In some cases, this will satisfy the student’s foreign language requirement. In many cases, however, additional study is necessary at the college level. When appropriate, students should complete additional study of a language other than English before entering UC..

Studying the language and literature of at least one non-English-speaking culture
increases a student’s understanding of the diversity of and similarities among human
values and interests. Study of a language other than English is critical to a comprehensive
education in some areas, and can greatly enhance study in other areas and introduces students to a scholarly methodology .

Most non-language undergraduate majors require or recommend that students demonstrate
competence in at least one language other than English. The ability to read scientific
material in French, German, Japanese or Russian may be important for a science
or engineering student. A reading knowledge of German is indispensable to art history
majors. Knowledge of an ancient language and its literature is advantageous to students
of archaeology, history, philosophy, religious studies and rhetoric, as well as medieval and
modern literature and linguistics.

Most non-language undergraduate majors require or recommend that students demonstrate
competence in at least one language other than English. The ability to read scientific
material in French, German, Japanese or Russian may be important for a science
or engineering student. A reading knowledge of German is indispensable to art history
majors. Knowledge of an ancient language and its literature is advantageous to students
of archaeology, history, philosophy, religious studies and rhetoric, as well as medieval and
modern literature and linguistics.

At the University, lower division study in a language other than English covers grammar, composition and conversation. It usually takes six quarters for students to complete the elementary- and intermediate-level courses, although some departments offer accelerated programs.

Upper division courses are taught in the language other than English. Upper division students also study literature, history, advanced grammar and phonetics of the language.

Ancient languages such as Latin and Sanskrit are taught somewhat differently. Students are not expected to speak the languages, and classes are taught in English.

There are several different approaches to the study of language other than English at the University. Some programs focus on foreign literature, while others focus on the psychological, historical and philosophical aspects of the language. Students interested in a language other than English should be advised to review the General Catalogs to determine which program is best for them. In some cases, study of language other than English is found under "Literature" or "Languages and Literature," while in other cases, the departments are listed by the particular language or group of languages, such as "French" or "Scandinavian Languages." Students should also investigate programs in Classics and Linguistics.