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Learning a language to Study Abroad

There can be many benefits when you challenge yourself to learn a new language!

  • Enhance your employability
  • Boost your brain power
  • Connect with other cultures
  • Travel with confidence
  • Increased earning potential

Interested to find out more? You will find our current language opportunities below.

  • Mandarin

    Mandarin Beginner's Course (6 weeks)

    The programme is made up of six lessons, each 2 hours long, that will run between October and November. You will learn about Chinese language, how to introduce yourself, greet people, speak about where you come from, and talk about things like your family. The taster programme is a great way to get started with a language and make new friends!

    • Who is eligible?: UG/PG (part-time or full-time)
    • Duration: 6 weeks, with 2-hour classes
    • Programme Dates: 18 October – 22 November, each Wednesday
    • Programme Time:
      • Belfast campus : 4.15pm to 6.15pm
      • Coleraine & Derry~Londonderry campus:  2.15pm to 4.15pm
    • Location: Courses will be offered on all 3 campuses subject to sufficient numbers
    • Cost: £40
    • Application deadline: Wednesday 4 October 2023

    Apply for the Mandarin Beginner's course


    Mandarin HSK1 (Chinese Proficiency Test Level 1)

    The programme is made up of fifteen lessons, each 2 hours long, that will run between 29 November and 1 May (Christmas and Easter breaks). You will learn the vocabulary and grammatical constructs to communicate basic ideas in Mandarin Chinese and build a solid foundation for future levels. This face-to-face course will:

    • Introduce you to Mandarin Chinese, including pinyin phonetics and Chinese character writing
    • Help you learn basic vocabulary grammar to help you complete the most essential tasks in Mandarin Chinese
    • Get you started with reading and writing text in Chinese characters

    After you finish this course, you will be well prepared to take the HSK 1 test and to potentially take part in a linguistic and cultural programme in China next summer!

    • Who is eligible?: UG/PG (part-time or full-time)
    • Duration: 15 weeks, with 2-hour classes
    • Programme Dates: 29 November 2023 -  1 May 2024, each Wednesday afternoon (except Christmas and Easter holidays)
    • Programme Time:
      • Belfast campus : 4.15pm to 6.15pm
      • Coleraine & Derry~Londonderry campus:  2.15pm to 4.15pm
    • Exam Date: May 2024
    • Location: Courses will be offered on all 3 campuses subject to sufficient numbers
    • Cost: Course: £40; Exam £20
    • Application deadline: Wednesday 4 October 2023

    Apply for the Mandarin HSK1 course

  • French

    French Taster Course

    New exciting opportunity to participate in a 2 week taster course!

    The programme is made up of two introductory lessons, each 1.5 hours long, that will run on 11th and 18th October 2023.

    Students taking the course are not expected to have any previous knowledge of the language. The aim is to introduce students to the language, the culture and basic grammatical concepts and to equip them with the skills to communicate at a basic level.

    • Who is eligible? UG/PG (part-time or full-time)
    • Duration: 2 weeks, with 1.5 hour classes
    • Programme Dates:
      • Coleraine: Wednesday 11 October and Wednesday 18 October
      • Belfast: Thursday 12 October and Thursday 19 October
    • Programme Time:
      • Coleraine: 5:15pm - 6:45pm
      • Belfast: 6:30 - 8:00pm
    • Location: Coleraine Campus, Ulster University & Belfast Metropolitan College, Millfield campus
    • Cost: Free!
    • Application deadline: Thursday 28 September 2023

    Beginner's French

    The programme is made up of eight lessons, each 1.5 hours long, that will run from 25 October 2023.

    To follow on from the Taster course, the Beginner’s programme is a great way to get started with a language and make new friends!

    • Who is eligible? UG/PG (part-time or full-time)
    • Duration: 8 weeks, with 1.5 hour classes
    • Programme Dates: 25 October - 14 December, every Wednesday (Coleraine) or Thursday (Belfast)
    • Programme Time:
      • Coleraine: 5:15pm - 6:45pm
      • Belfast: 6:30 - 8:00pm
    • Location: Coleraine Campus, Ulster University & Belfast Metropolitan College, Millfield campus
    • Cost: £40
    • Application deadline: Thursday 28 September 2023
  • Spanish

    Spanish Taster Course

    New exciting opportunity to participate in a 2 week taster course!

    The programme is made up of two introductory lessons, each 1.5 hours long, that will run on 11th and 18th October 2023.

    Students taking the course are not expected to have any previous knowledge of the language. The aim is to introduce students to the language, the culture and basic grammatical concepts and to equip them with the skills to communicate at a basic level.

    • Who is eligible? UG/PG (part-time or full-time)
    • Duration: 2 weeks, with 1.5 hour classes
    • Programme Dates: Wednesday 11 October and Wednesday 18 October
    • Programme Time:
      • Derry~Londonderry: 4:30pm - 6:00pm
      • Belfast: 5:00 - 6:30pm
    • Location: Belfast Metropolitan College, Millfield campus & North West Regional College, Derry~Londonderry campus
    • Cost: Free!
    • Application deadline: Thursday 28 September 2023

    Beginner's Spanish

    The programme is made up of eight lessons, each 1.5 hours long, that will run from 25 October 2023.

    To follow on from the Taster course, the Beginner’s programme is a great way to get started with a language and make new friends!

    • Who is eligible? UG/PG (part-time or full-time)
    • Duration: 8 weeks, with 1.5 hour classes
    • Programme Dates: 25 October - 13 December, every Wednesday
    • Programme Time:
      • Derry~Londonderry: 4:30pm - 6:00pm
      • Belfast: 5:00 - 6:30pm
    • Location: Belfast Metropolitan College, Millfield campus & North West Regional College, Derry~Londonderry campus
    • Cost: £40
    • Application deadline: Thursday 28 September 2023

Free Language Resources

There are online resources available for you to try learning a language for free such as, Duolingo or Mondly.