Language Competence
Students in the College are required to possess understanding of more than one culture and to demonstrate competence in a language other than English. The language competence requirement must be met by demonstrating linguistic proficiency equivalent to one year of college-level study. For information about which languages are currently being taught and which may be used to meet the language competence requirement, visit humanities.uchicago.edu/about/languages-uchicago.
Students may meet the language competence requirement in one of the following ways:
- passing a College-administered competency examination. The language competency exams are given each Winter Quarter; students can sign up on the College Language Competency Requirement page. To qualify for the competency exam, students must have placed into the second year of that language or completed an approved beginning-level sequence at another institution with a C or above (see Transfer Credit rules);
- completing (with a quality grade) the third course of a first-year language sequence or a higher-level course offered at the University of Chicago;
- receiving a score of 5 on an AP examination in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, or Spanish, or a score of 5 or above on an IB Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL) exam in a foreign language;
- placing into 10300 or higher in a foreign language offered at the University of Chicago, then participating in one of the College's study abroad programs (visit study-abroad.uchicago.edu for more information) where that language is spoken and completing (with a quality grade) a language course at the intermediate or advanced level;
- participating in a College-approved one-quarter intensive foreign language study abroad program and completing all required courses with a quality grade (visit study-abroad.uchicago.edu for more information);
- passing one of the College's Practical or Advanced Language Proficiency assessments in a foreign language. File the Language Petition, using the second option, to complete the requirement; or
- taking approved intermediate-level (or above) courses at another institution and passing with a B or above. (See Transfer Credit rules.)
Students who are foreign nationals may meet the language competence requirement if their formal schooling experience in a country other than the United States enables them to demonstrate the criteria of cultural understanding and language competence described above. They must submit a petition to Catherine Baumann (Cobb 214, 773.702.8008, ccbauman@uchicago.edu). Supporting documentation must also be provided; the requirement is not automatically waived.
NOTE: Students are strongly urged to complete the language competence requirement in their first two years in the College. Students who wish to establish language proficiency via summer course work should see the Summer Language Institute's offerings.
Meeting the language competence requirement may count toward components to earn Global Honors. Students are also encouraged to work toward Practical and Advanced Foreign Language Proficiency Certifications. More information about these certifications can be found on the Foreign Language Proficiency page.