Studying Languages in Ontario

Apply broad, choose languages later

• 

  Western University

  Apply to Arts & Humanities (EA)

  You choose languages at the end of first year, during Intent to Register in March.

  French Studies, Languages and Cultures, Classical Studies and Medieval Studies sit in Arts & Humanities (EA), which requires only ENG4U — no prior study of the language is needed for admission. One correction worth catching: Linguistics is offered through BOTH faculties, and Western says students can apply to either Arts & Humanities (EA) or Social Science (EO) for it, so pick the code that matches the rest of your interests.

  https://welcome.uwo.ca/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/arts-humanities.html
• 

  Queen's University

  Apply to Arts (QA)

  You choose languages during Plan Selection in May at the end of first year.

  Language plans (French Studies, Spanish and Latin American Studies, Languages Literatures and Cultures, Linguistics) are all chosen after first year through Arts (QA). The one exception is Concurrent Education/French, which has its own code (QBF) verified on Queen's requirements table and must be applied to from Grade 12 — you cannot pick it up later.

  https://www.queensu.ca/admission/applying/admission-requirements/ontario
• 

  McMaster University

  Apply to Humanities I

  You choose languages at the end of first year.

  Covers French, Linguistics & Languages, Cognitive Science of Language, and Greek & Roman Studies — all Level 2 off Humanities I. Grade 12 French is not required to apply to Humanities I, but check the individual program's Level 1 course requirements before you build your first-year timetable.

  https://future.mcmaster.ca/programs/humanities/
• 

  University of Toronto — St. George

  Apply to Humanities

  You choose languages at the end of first year.

  Every language area enters through Humanities, and U of T confirms Linguistics is also TAH (HBA), not Social Sciences. French alone splits into several programs you pick after first year: French Language and Literature and French Language and French Linguistics (Major/Specialist), French Language Learning (Major), plus French Language and French Studies as Minors only.

  https://future.utoronto.ca/program/french/
• 

  University of Toronto — Mississauga

  Apply to Humanities

  You choose languages after first year (4.0 credits).

  Language programs sit inside Humanities (TMH), and there is no Spanish or German program at UTM. Check current availability before committing: OUInfo lists admission to Italian, French and Francophone Studies as suspended as of 2026-27, while UTM's French Studies page still shows the Specialist/Major/Minor as open. Chinese Language & Culture and South Asian Humanities are also in this category.

  https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/future-students/programs/french-studies
• 

  University of Toronto — Scarborough

  Apply to Social Sciences & Humanities (OUAC TUD)

  You choose languages end of first year, on ACORN.

  French and Linguistics both sit under TUD; UTSC has no separate language-school application. French is the one Arts program with a subject prerequisite beyond English — Grade 12 French is required. Mid 70s.

  https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/admissions/programs/french
• 

  University of Waterloo

  Apply to Honours Arts

  You choose languages at the end of first year.

  French is the only modern language among Waterloo's 28 Arts majors. German and Spanish exist as minors, and Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish are offered as language diplomas alongside your major rather than as majors. Classical Studies and Medieval Studies cover the classical-language side. If you want to major in a language other than French, check this list before you apply.

  https://uwaterloo.ca/arts/undergraduate/majors-and-minors