Learning a language at the University of Bath is a rewarding experience. Whether you want to make the most of a holiday abroad, study for career progression, meet new people in a friendly and welcoming environment, or keep your brain active by doing something new, our language courses are the perfect choice.
When you study with us, you will join a vibrant learning community made up of members of the public and University staff and students. All of the courses that we offer to members of the public are also available to our students and staff, so your class will have an interesting and diverse mix of enrolled participants.
Our courses are designed to increase your cultural awareness and communication skills, and build your confidence to travel, work or live abroad, opening doors worldwide.
I thought as a retired member of the public I might feel out of place working alongside undergrads but happily this was not the case. The opportunity to interact with others in German worked well for me and the active participation of all is the best feature. Member of the public, Spring 2024-25
We offer courses in seven languages, all starting from beginner level. Where applicable, the course levels are based on the Common European Framework.
How our courses work
Most of our courses are delivered in-person on campus, but some run remotely online. Lessons are generally 1 hour 50 minutes long, but some may be 50 minutes long. The timetable on each language page will give you more detail on the location and duration of each course that’s available.
Each stage of a course is split into two parts, and each part lasts for ten weeks. For example, Stage 1 is made up of Stage 1.1 and Stage 1.2. However, you don't necessarily need to have completed Stage 1.1 to enrol on Stage 1.2. If you have studied the language previously, our placement tests will help you to select the right stage, and you can talk to the teachers if you need further guidance.
We keep our class sizes small with a maximum of 25 participants per class, so that we can give as much individual support as possible. All classes are inclusive, accessible, and will develop your language learning in a supportive and structured way.
Each class involves taking part in interactive learning activities tailored to the level of the class. Activities may include role plays, quizzes, presentations, and informal group discussions.
Available languages
We deliver courses ranging from complete beginner (Stage 1.1) up to Advanced (Stage 4), although not every course runs every term. You can learn the following languages with us:
- Arabic
- French
- German
- Italian
- Japanese - our Japanese courses are postponed until further notice
- Mandarin Chinese
- Spanish
How to enrol
To enrol on a course:
- Visit the page for the language you would like to learn.
- Review the course descriptors and choose the level that is right for you.
- Check the course timetable and make sure your chosen level is taking place at a time that is convenient for you.
- Click the 'Enrol on...' link next to your chosen course in the course timetable. You'll be taken to our online store to pay for your course.
- You will receive a booking confirmation from us within 7 days of paying for your course.
Enrolment on our Autumn courses for members of the public is now closed. Enrolment on our Spring 2026 courses remains open until midday on 23 January 2026.
Finding your way around campus
Please note that it can be tricky to park on the campus during the day. Before traveling to the University, we recommend reading our guidance on where to park if you are driving, and other ways of getting to the campus.
This campus map will help you find the right room for each session.
Qualifications
You may wish to take up the opportunity of entering for a globally recognised language qualification, to accredit your language proficiency. If you choose to enter for a language qualification, our teachers will provide exam preparatory workshops, included in the course tuition fees. The qualifications available to study for are:
- Arabic - Arabic Language Proficiency Test (ALPT)
- French - Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française (DELF)
- German - Goethe-Zertifikat (GZ)
- Italian - Projetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri (PLIDA)
- Mandarin Chinese - Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK)
- Spanish - Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE)-
More information about the opportunities for accreditation can be found on each language page.
Homework
To achieve the intended learning outcomes, you will need to complete autonomous learning in addition to attending the lessons. Your teacher will tell you what is required.
Course fees
Course fees for 2025-26 are:
| Course duration | Class length | Cost per person per course |
|---|---|---|
| 10 weeks | 1 hour 50 minutes | £210 |
| 5 weeks | 1 hour 50 minutes | £105 |
| 10 weeks | 50 minutes | £105 |
Fees include all tuition and course materials and must be paid in full at the time of enrolment, through our online booking system.
Available discounts
We offer a 10% discount to Discovery Card holders. To qualify for the discount, you should:
- Enrol on your chosen course and pay the full course fee.
- Complete this form to request your Discovery Card discount.
- We will verify the details you have provided and issue you a refund of 10% of the course fee within 5 working days of receiving your refund request.
The Discovery Card discount is only available on full course fees, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts, including the subsidised prices offered to University students and staff.
Qualification fees
You may wish to take up the opportunity of entering for a globally recognised language qualification, to accredit your language proficiency. Exam preparation workshops are offered in the Spring alongside the core language course at no additional charge. You must be enrolled on a language course to be able to join the exam preparation workshops; they are not available to enrol onto as standalone courses.
If you choose to enter for an examination, additional costs will be payable for examination entry to the respective awarding organisations. These costs vary by language, level and provider and are subject to change, but typically range from £70 to £250 per exam. Full details of costs can be found on the awarding bodies' websites and will be provided by your teacher. Please note that if you choose not to take an exam, the costs are limited to the course fees.
Terms and Conditions
Before you purchase a course, please ensure you have carefully read the Terms and Conditions for 2025-26.
By purchasing a course, you will be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions, so it's important you have read them before you complete your purchase.
Other ways to learn a language
As well as our language courses, we also offer cultural events and Language Cafés. If you are enrolled on a language course, you are welcome to take part in all these activities; please ask your teacher for more details after you have enrolled.