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Studies & Degrees in Applied Languages

Applied languages is the study of two or more foreign languages for professional use. The languages are learned to a high level and combined with a field in which they will be used, such as business, law, international relations, translation, language teaching or technical communication. It differs from a traditional philology or literature degree, where the main object is the language's literature and history, and from a pure linguistics degree, which studies how language works.

Students spend much of their time on language classes: speaking, writing, translation and the culture and society of the countries where each language is spoken. The University of Limerick states that its programme aims to produce graduates with a high level of competence in at least two languages, combined with specialist knowledge of the societies in which those languages are spoken. Levels are normally described with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which runs from A1 for beginners to C2.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree. The University of Limerick's Bachelor of Arts in Applied Languages lasts four years full-time (level 8 of the Irish framework). Students can take up to three languages, or combine two languages with an area such as Law, Marketing, Politics and International Relations, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or Technical Communication. In Spain a bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits. The Grado en Lingüística y Lenguas Aplicadas of the Universidad de Cádiz has 240 credits over four years, is taught on campus mainly in Spanish, with some subjects in other languages, especially English and French, and can be combined with the Grado en Estudios Ingleses as a double degree.
  • Master's degree. Spanish master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 credits. Typical specialisations after applied languages are translation and interpreting, language teaching, international business and language technology.
  • Language courses and certificates. Language schools teach one language at a time, from short intensive courses to exam preparation. They do not replace a degree, but they are a common way to reach the level a degree or an employer asks for.

Language levels and admission

Ask each university which languages it offers, which can be started from beginner level and which level you are expected to reach. At the Universidad de Cádiz, the study plan aims at CEFR level B2 in the second language when it is English or French, and level A2 for the other languages the faculty offers. For a degree taught in English or Spanish, international students also have to prove their level in the language of instruction. A period abroad is a normal part of these degrees; ask whether it is compulsory and how it is funded.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 8 active schools for applied languages: 4 in Spain and 1 each in Ireland, Malta, Portugal and the United Kingdom. They are of two kinds. The universities, such as the University of Limerick and the Universidad de Cádiz, award degrees. The Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, a private university in the Madrid region, is also listed; ask it which language degrees it currently offers.

The language schools teach individual languages. AClass Academy of English, in Malta, teaches English at all levels from A1 to C1. Falamos Português gives individual or group live video classes online in European Portuguese and prepares for the CAPLE exams. Educatrip, an educational travel agency in Granada, organises Spanish courses at the Universidad de Granada and in other Spanish cities. When a language has several standard varieties, as Portuguese, English and Spanish do, check which one the school teaches.

Fees depend on the country and on your nationality. The University of Limerick lists €5,662 per year for EU students and €17,500 for non-EU students on its course page (October 2026).

Careers

Applied languages graduates work where languages meet another skill. The Universidad de Cádiz names intercultural and business language mediation, translation and languages for specific purposes, publishing and advertising services, and the development of language software, chatbots and automatic text analysis among the main career fields of its degree. The specialisms offered at Limerick point to law, marketing, international relations, English teaching and technical writing. Sworn translation, conference interpreting and school teaching usually require a further qualification.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between applied languages and philology?

Applied languages concentrates on using two or more languages in a professional field such as business, law or translation. Philology and modern languages degrees give more weight to literature and the history of one language.

How many languages do you study?

Normally two, sometimes three. At the University of Limerick students can take up to three languages to degree level, or two languages with another subject.

How long does the degree take?

Four years in the examples given here: the BA at the University of Limerick and the 240-credit grado at the Universidad de Cádiz.

Do I need to speak the languages before starting?

It depends on the language and the university. Some languages can be started from beginner level, and others require previous study. Ask the university for the entry level of each language.