Language Competence Requirement
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 reading, writing, listening, and (where appropriate) speaking skills equivalent to one year of college-level study.
Students who matriculate after September 1999 may meet the language competence requirement in one of the following ways:
- receiving a score of 3 or higher on an AP language or literature examination in French, German, Latin, or Spanish or receiving a score of 5 or higher on an Higher-Level International Baccalaureate Second Language Examination;
- placing into the second year or higher in a foreign language offered at the University of Chicago and passing the speaking competency exam in that language when the placement exam is taken on the main Hyde Park campus;
- participating in a College-approved one-quarter or summer intensive foreign language study abroad program, including FLAG-supported study (visit Study Abroad for more information); or
- passing a College-administered competency examination or completing (with a quality grade) a first-year language sequence or higher offered at the University of Chicago.
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 and provide supporting documentation to Catherine Baumann in Cobb 502, 773-702-8008.
Students who matriculated before September 1999 must complete at least the first year of a language or its equivalent.
NOTE: Students are strongly urged to complete the language competence requirement in their first two years in the College.
Language Competency Exam Schedule (updated quarterly)
The College offers courses and competency examinations in the languages listed below. For specific information about course offerings, consult Courses and Programs of Study.
Akkadian |
Greek (classical) |
Persian |
We do not offer courses or competency tests in: Cantonese, Dutch, Romanian, Swedish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.
After meeting the language competency requirement, students are urged to work toward an Advanced Foreign Language Proficiency Certificate. To qualify to sit for the three-hour proficiency examination, students are required to complete a minimum of intermediate and advanced language study at levels set by the departments and spend a quarter abroad in an intensive language program approved by the University of Chicago.
Related Information
University of Chicago: Summer Session 2007: The summer session offers intensive language study that would allow students to meet their requirements in one summer.
Advanced Foreign Language Proficiency Certificate
University of Chicago College Study Abroad Programs
Foreign Language Acquisition Grants for Study Abroad (SITG/FLAG)
