School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, Trinity College Dublin, modern languages
Study languages and cultures at Trinity College Dublin
In 1776 Trinity College was the first university in the world to introduce the study of modern continental languages. Today we are consistently ranked among the top universities in the world for the study of languages, literatures and cultures. Learn about our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Our School is one of the largest of the 12 Schools in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and comprises seven Departments: French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian, Irish and Celtic Languages, Near and Middle Eastern Studies, and Russian and Slavonic Studies. The School has eight affiliated Research Centres and Entities which facilitate interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary collaboration on research within and beyond the College.
Trinity College Dublin is proud to be a University of Sanctuary. Our School encourages applications from students from all walks of life and actively works to facilitate access to education for all.
School News
-
President Catherine Connolly attends the School's celebrations marking 250 years of modern languages at Trinity
The President of Ireland Catherine Connolly joined celebrations to mark 250 years of the study and teaching of modern languages at Trinity College Dublin, following the Hely-Hutchinson Lectures, on 8 October 2026.
09 Oct 2026
Event, News
-
Evening courses in languages and culture (2026-27)
The School is running in-person language and culture courses throughout the 2026-27 academic year. Learn Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Ukrainian. Registration is open to all!
27 Jul 2026
Education
-
2027 French Visiting Translator Fellowship: Call for applications
Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation at Trinity College Dublin, and the French Embassy in Ireland seek applications from French literary translators for a residential translator fellowship in Dublin.
24 Jul 2026
Education
Languages 250 at Trinity Programme
-
Programme: Modern Languages in Irish Life - 1776–2026 and beyond
Friday, 9 October 2026 | A conference to mark the 250th anniversary of the establishment of Modern Languages at Trinity College Dublin in 1776.
15 Sep 2026
Education, Event
-
2026 Hely-Hutchinson Memorial Lectures
This year's visiting lectures are Professor Yves Citton and poet Ulrike Draesner. The lectures will take place in the Thomas Davis Theatre on 8 October 2026, and are open to the public.
27 Aug 2026
Education, Event
-
Languages Alumni Summer Social - an evening to remember!
To celebrate 250 years of Modern Languages at Trinity College Dublin, the School welcomed our alumni back to campus for a celebratory reception in the Examination Hall on 5 June. It was an evening of words, wit and music.
12 Jun 2026
Event
Events Calendar
-
World Literature Book Club
Please join us for a discussion about The Holy Innocents by Miguel Delibes, translated from the Spanish by Peter Bush.
Online
Tuesday, 20 October 2026, 6:30 – 7:30pm GMTDT
-
Dante Reading Group
Our Dante reading group will run fortnightly from October 2026 - April 2027.
Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 10:30am – 12:30pm GMTDT
-
LIFELANGS Living Observatory Public Lecture - Translanguaging and Minority Languages
You are warmly invited to the LIFELANGS Living Observatory Public Lecture by Professor Jasone Cenoz, on “Translanguaging and Minority Languages”.
Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute
Thursday, 12 November 2026, 12 – 2pm GMTST
Our Programmes
Undergraduate Programmes
Our programmes will give you the opportunity for full immersion into the languages and cultures that you study.
Postgraduate Programmes
The School currently offers nine postgraduate programmes across our different departments.
Columbia Dual B.A.
An innovative four-year undergraduate programme between Trinity and Columbia University in New York.
Middle Eastern and European Languages and Cultures
The MEELC undergraduate degree equips students with excellent intercultural competencies.
European Studies
A full-time four-year undergraduate course of study, which is broad in focus, covering the continent of Europe from the Renaissance to the present.
Early and Modern Irish
An undergraduate programme that focuses on the critical study of the language, literature and culture of Ireland and Gaelic Scotland.
Diploma in Irish for Teachers
An innovative two-year postgraduate programme aimed at enhancing the skills of registered post-primary teachers in Irish.
Diploma in French for Teachers
A two-year postgraduate programme for post-primary teachers to develop their language proficiency in teaching French.
PhD Research
The School offers a structured PhD programme of normally four years’ duration, which is assessed by a thesis.
Student and Staff Resources
Programme Handbooks
Download programme handbooks and the assignment cover sheet for the academic year.
Current Students
Comprehensive information for current undergraduate and postgraduate students in the School.
Student Supports
How to access resources and reasonable accommodations, to support your studies and wellbeing during your time at Trinity.
Campus Life and Facilities
In addition to your academic studies, take the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in campus life.
Sustainability and Wellbeing
Campus green spaces, recycling points, water fountains, secure bicycle and disability parking spaces, and building accessibility.
Study Abroad
The School provides students with valuable opportunities to participate in Erasmus or Study Abroad programmes.
Inside the School
Research Centres
The School is affiliated with eight Research Centres.
Our People
Contact information for the School's Academic Leads and Professional Staff.
School Research
The School is recognised internationally for wide-ranging high-quality research on languages, literatures and cultures.
Staff Local Access Hub
Secure Local Access for staff in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies.
Login using a valid TCD Staff email address is required.
/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/site-images/campus/Trinity-Campus-1500X450px-5.png)
/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/site-images/campus/Trinity-Campus-1500X450px-1.png)
/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/site-images/students/Trinity-Campus-1500X450px.png)