Language is fundamental to humankind. It enables us to think, express ideas, and share knowledge. The study of languages and cultures crosses historical, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries. There are some 7,000 existing languages; learning another language is a vital step for today's educated and responsible citizens of the world in its fascinating diversity and complexity, and towards dismantling linguistic, political, and economic inequalities. It promotes the value of engaged global citizenship by nurturing empathy for people from different cultures and empowering students to engage in multicultural communities. It is foundational to future success: by stretching our powers of analysis and memory, developing the imagination, and by disclosing the potential and limits of our own language, it makes us more effective communicators. Learning a language ultimately prepares students to thrive in international and multilingual contexts and become leaders of change in a globalized workplace.

The Requirement

Degree candidates must meet a language requirement in a language other than English that is taught at Harvard or for which an appropriate examination can be given. The College affirms that the learning of a language other than English is an essential component of a liberal art and sciences education and that this learning should allow a student to develop first-hand understanding of linguistic and cultural variety.  The language requirement demands rigorous study but does not require a particular format of study or examination.  Students should be taught in all forms of a language that are customary in the practice of that language.

The requirement can be satisfied in one of the following ways:

• Earning a minimum score of 700 on a College Entrance Examination Board SAT II Test in a language other than English, a score of 5 on a relevant Advanced Placement examination, or a score of 7 on a relevant Higher Level International Baccalaureate Language examination;
• Earning a passing score as determined by the department on a placement examination administered by certain language departments; (see below for details)
• Passing with a letter grade one appropriate year-long course (8 credits) or two semester-long courses (4 credits each) in one language at Harvard, or the equivalent as determined by the appropriate language department. These courses may not include foreign literature courses conducted in English;
• Passing with a letter grade a language course or courses at the appropriate level taken in Harvard programs abroad, as approved by the appropriate language department. Study completed at other institutions may also fulfill the requirement if approved by the appropriate language department whether through examination or on the basis of achieving a minimum grade;
• A student whose high school education was conducted in a language other than English (and confirmed by the Admissions Office) may satisfy the language requirement;
• A student who claims fluency in a language other than English may satisfy the language requirement through satisfactory completion of an examination in the relevant language, provided that an appropriate examination can be given.  If the language is not one that is offered at Harvard, and if a qualified examiner, as determined by the Office of Undergraduate Education, cannot be identified, the student must meet the language requirement with another language;
• No student may take the relevant departmental examination more than once for the purpose of meeting the language requirement.

Any student who has not met the language requirement upon entrance ordinarily is required to enroll in and complete with a passing letter grade an appropriate year-long language course (8 credits) or two semester-long language courses (4 credits each) in a single language. (An appropriate course is one for which a student qualifies by previous instruction or placement test.) Most introductory courses in all languages taught at Harvard may count towards fulfillment of the language requirement; exceptions are noted in the course listings in my.harvard. Students are encouraged to begin language study in their first year. If after the second term of study the requirement has not yet been met, a hold will be placed on the student record. To lift the hold, a student must have an advising conversation with their adviser and develop a concrete plan to complete the requirement.

Exceptions to the ordinary means of satisfying the requirement, or to the timing of the requirement, can be granted only by the Administrative Board upon the recommendation of the student’s Resident Dean. 

Language Placement Exams

Details on language placement exams, including the process for registering for these exams and FAQs, can be found on the Placement Exams website.

Placement exams in a range of languages will be available to entering students over the summer at Harvard; students looking to place into courses in these languages, or who plan to satisfy the language requirement in these languages, should take the exam before the start of their first year.

Fulfilling the Requirement through Examination

Students may complete a placement exam to determine if their knowledge is sufficient to fulfill the language requirement. They may do so only once for the purpose of fulfilling the language requirement. Language placement exams are available online (French, German, Italian, and Spanish) and through other various departmental administration during the summer and through orientation period. 

Those whose score on the placement exam in French, German, Italian, or Spanish indicates sufficient mastery of the language to satisfy the requirement will need to take a brief, proctored follow-up Live Verification Exam (LVE) after arriving on campus and before the course registration deadline. A qualifying score in a language other than French, German, Italian, or Spanish may also fulfill the language requirement, at a time established by the language department or by arrangement and will not require a follow-up LVE.

Live Verification Exam (LVE)

This LVE will be administered through the Language Center (French and Spanish) or through the language department (German and Italian). Students will be notified by email if they qualify for the LVE. This communication will include who to contact, directions about how to sign up for the assessment, the location of the exam, and what to bring. The LVE must be completed within the same exam period in which a student has taken the original language exam.

Fulfilling the Requirement through a Language Exam not Currently Offered

Students wishing to fulfill the language requirement in a language for which the College does not currently offer a placement exam will need to consult with the Office of Undergraduate Education by contacting placement-help@fas.harvard.edu as soon as possible upon admission to the College. Students may request to take a special examination in any language in which an appropriate examination can be given by a member of the Faculty familiar with the standards of the language requirement or by a qualified examiner identified by the Office of Undergraduate Education. Special language examinations will be scheduled as quickly as possible, but students should plan to take either a placement examination in another language if possible or a first-year course in another language to maximize their options pending the result of the special examination. Students who plan to fulfill the language requirement by special examination should consult with their Resident Dean prior to registering for courses.

Placement Exams for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors interested in taking a language placement exam should consult the placement exam website for details about registering for these exams.  Language placement exams will be given in the fall and spring ahead of the next term's course registration as well as over the summer months. Students may not take an exam more than once in order to meet the language requirement. Students may also not take an exam in order to meet the requirment in a language they have already studied at Harvard. 

Language Citation

Students who plan to continue language study beyond the requirement level may wish to qualify for a citation in that language (see Citations in Foreign Language.)