How should I select my language courses?
Consider your high school background and interests to help identify the course(s) best suited for you. Our language courses must be taken in sequence. After a student successfully completes a language course, they can no longer go back and take a course in that subject at a lower level (e.g. a student who completes SPAN_O 201 can no longer go back to take 100-level SPAN_O courses).
Failure to register in the appropriate level will result in students being removed from the course.
Choose from the following options:
BA language/ linguistic appreciation requirement
Students who are starting their UBC Okanagan BA degree in September 2026, or have opted to follow 2026W BA requirements, are required to complete at least 3 credits of approved language acquisition or linguistic appreciation coursework.
Students who began their UBC Okanagan BA degree between 2021 and 2025 are required to take six credits of language acquisition or linguistic appreciation coursework. These six credits can be from any combination of approved courses.
Students in the BA Major in International Relations are required to complete 12 credits of language coursework. These 12 credits may come from a maximum of two languages to meet the International Relations (IR) Language requirement. The courses used for the IR language requirement are in addition to the language courses used for the BA Language Acquisition/Appreciation requirement. For example, if a student registers in FREN_O 101 to meet the BA Language Acquisition/Appreciation requirement, FREN_O 101 would not count towards the IR Language Requirement.
Students outside of the BA program may use language courses toward their elective requirements. BSc students may be able to add a second Major in French or a Minor in French or Spanish to their degree, depending on the options available in their degree program. Please connect with an advisor to see if a Minor in French or Spanish is an option for your degree program.
Linguistic appreciation courses
There are also courses offered in Anthropology (ANTH_O) and World Literature (WRLD_O) approved to meet this requirement. The approved ANTH_O and WRLD_O courses provide more information about the development of language or the socio-cultural aspects of languages. View the list of approved courses.
Most of the WRLD_O approved courses are designed for the absolute beginner. If you have completed high school grade 12 in the language that is being taught you will not be able to complete that WRLD_O course.
BA Language Requirement prior to 2021
Students admitted to the BA prior to 2021W are required to complete the BA Language Requirement. The BA Language Requirement can be met with Grade 12 language courses (i.e. high school French 12) provided the course was completed prior to being admitted to UBC. If a student did not complete a Grade 12 language course before coming to UBC, they can use FREN_O 104, GERM_O 210, JPST_O 201, SPAN_O 202, or SPAN_O 204 to meet the BA language requirement. Please note that each of these courses have firm prerequisites. Be sure to review the guidelines about how to select language courses for further information.
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