Overview
Languages form a unique addition to a student's university education

The Department of Modern Languages provides its students with the opportunity to study various languages and to obtain a good grounding in these, but sees languages within its appropriate cultural contexts, i.e., the acquisition is seen as a vehicle to enter the thought, history, literature, cinema, etc., with which each of the languages is associated.

UPEI offers two degree programs in Modern Languages:

  • French - students seeking French education for further academic study, research, and careers
  • Spanish - UPEI presents the only opportunity in Prince Edward Island for learning Spanish

Visit each program's site for more information and complete admission requirements. 

Whenever circumstances warrant it, the Department offers courses in languages other than French and Spanish. In the past introductory courses have been offered in Chinese, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Mi'kmaq, and Scottish Gaelic. For Japanese or other Asian languages see Asian Studies.

Language Studies have always been an integral part of university studies. Such studies complement many areas of study and are recommended by other disciplines such as:

  • English
  • Music
  • History
  • Philosophy
  • Religious Studies
  • Fine Arts
  • Social Sciences

Language studies are seen as preparation for graduate studies, education programs, travel, and work abroad. They form a unique addition to a student's university education, with the variety of teaching and learning techniques adding variety, balance, or counter-balance to the education process.

Global markets are competing for supremacy, in Europe (with Germany as the pivotal point), the Americas (North and South America), and Asia (Japanese). Prince Edward Island is not removed from this struggle of the internationalization of commerce. Learning a language also helps alleviate, to varying degrees, a lack of knowledge regarding the intricacies and elementary aspects of English on the part of our students.

Meet Deidre Kelly, professional interpreter and UPEI Modern Languages program graduate

Deidre Kelly wearing headphones, working at Parliament Hill
Success Story, Students
Diedre Kelly

Deidre Kelly works as an interpreter on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, providing simultaneous interpretation from French into English at committee meetings, press conferences, caucus meetings and sittings of the Senate and the House of Commons.

 

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What can you do with an Arts degree? Anything you want!

UPEI provides a solid education in the liberal arts, committed to rigorous study and inquiry, belief in the value of knowledge, lifelong capacity-building, and the development of the whole person.

Admissions Criteria
What's Required for Arts Admission?

High School Graduates

Canadian High School Equivalency Chart

Successful completion of Grade 12 examinations in a University Preparatory Program with an overall average of at least 70% (75% for Quebec Secondary V students) in the following subjects:

  • English;
  • one Social Studies or Language;
  • any 3 other academic courses. Grade 12 math recommended.
    Note: Grade 12 Math is a prerequisite for some 1st year Arts courses.

Please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete admissions information.

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students in UPEI quad
Millions in scholarships and awards

Each year we award over 3,000 scholarships and awards to qualified students. Our comprehensive program—valued at over $8 million—includes some awards that are equal to full tuition and renewable!

Fees and Funding
Faculty of Arts Programs Tuition

UPEI's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards.

Tuition

$6,828 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($682.80 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $8,010 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.

For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Arts, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Scholarships and Awards

UPEI supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.

Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.  

Celebrating Student Achievement

Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.

Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.

Faculty Members
Your mentors. Our professors.

UPEI has about 250 faculty—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people. Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made UPEI home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.