Overview

The World Languages and Cultures programme at Northern Illinois University provides students with an immersive environment to master French, German, or Spanish. This curriculum is designed to enhance critical thinking and interpersonal communication skills while fostering a deep understanding of global societies. By navigating cultural differences, graduates are prepared to facilitate expansion into international markets.

Why World Languages and Cultures at Northern Illinois University?

Students benefit from a dedicated Foreign Language Residence Programme, which allows for increased fluency and academic credit while living in a language-focused community. The university provides access to modern translation software and extensive multimedia resources, including foreign periodicals and videos. Mentoring and research opportunities further support academic growth within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 10742 per semester
National fee: USD 5371 per semester
Local fee: USD 5371 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum offers specialisations in several major languages, focusing on linguistic proficiency and cultural history. Modules may include:

French
German
Spanish
Scandinavian Studies
Iberian Studies
Translation

Careers with World Languages and Cultures

Graduates from Northern Illinois University pursue diverse roles across the globe, benefiting from a high demand for bilingual professionals in an evolving job market. Alumni frequently secure positions in education, healthcare, finance, and non-profit sectors. The programme also offers an accelerated pathway for those interested in combining their linguistic studies with a Juris Doctor law degree.

Prominent employers of former students include Chicago Public Schools, Advocate Health Care, and Centene Corp. The skills gained, such as public speaking and outreach, ensure that graduates remain competitive in various international industries.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

American Sign Language
Burmese
Chinese
French
German
Indonesian

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-01-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-05-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

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IELTS

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

DeKalb, United States

Disciplines

French studies German and Scandinavian studies Iberian studies View 313 other Bachelors in German and Scandinavian studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

High school diploma: You must have graduated by the time you start at NIU in order to be admitted

Grades: You must have passing grades equivalent to a U.S. C+ average on all transcripts and/or exam scores

A completed NIU application

Official transcripts from all high schools attended

ACT/SAT score (if applicable)

Proof of English ability

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

21484 USD / year

≈ 21484 USD / year
Out-of-State

10742 USD / year

≈ 10742 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

10742 USD / year

≈ 10742 USD / year

Additional Details

Local: $5,115.34 per semester National and International: $10,230.68 per semester

Living costs

DeKalb

United States

1100 - 1500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for World Languages and Cultures.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

DeKalb

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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