BA Romance Languages and Literature at Harvard University

Programme overview

In the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures (RLL), undergraduates discover the literatures, cultures, and critical approaches of societies worldwide where French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Catalan are spoken. RLL offers language courses from the beginning to advanced levels, as well as opportunities for accelerated work and study abroad. The heart of the concentration consists of courses about literature and society taught in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Faculty: Harvard College: Arts and Humanities | Department: Romance Languages and Literature | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cambridge, MA, United States

What you will study

Small classes, faculty-taught tutorials and faculty-advised honors theses teach students to read and think critically and creatively, as well as develop individual research questions and studies. Concentration Requirements include upper-level language courses to ensure that concentrators acquire advanced oral, written, and cultural proficiency. Gateway courses include The Francophone World – FRENCH 70c French Theater and Performance – FRENCH 80 Comic Relief: The Power of Humor in Social Fiction – FRENCH 88 Poetic Revolutions in French and Francophone Poetry – FRENCH 177 The Cosmos of the Divine Comedy – ITAL 138 Preparing.

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Application information

USD 62,226 a year (2026-27). Harvard College undergraduate tuition for 2026-27, one rate for all students; excludes fees ($6,216), housing, food and health insurance. Source

Entry term is fall. Applicants choose Restrictive Early Action or Regular Decision; admitted students reply by May 1.

First-year applications through the Common Application: Restrictive Early Action closes November 1 with notification by mid-December; Regular Decision closes January 1 with notification by the end of March. The application fee is $95 (fee waiver available) and can be paid online via the Common Application. Harvard requires the SAT or ACT, with exceptions only where the tests are not accessible.

Apply through the official page: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply

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