BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY provides an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Founded in 1875 by Brigham Young, BYU is the largest private religious university in the United States, with more than 30,000 students on campus. The university seeks to develop students of intellect, faith, and character and to instill habits of lifelong learning and service. The teaching curriculum specializes in undergraduate education complemented by select graduate programs. Located at the foot of the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains in Provo, Utah, BYU is 45 miles south of Salt Lake City. The setting provides numerous opportunities for outdoor activity and is within one hour of eight ski resorts.
Ranked No. 3 in the United States for the most foreign-language bachelor programs, BYU teaches twice as a many advanced language classes as lower-division language classes.
Approximately 65 percent of BYU students speak a second language, with 131 languages spoken on campus.
There are 63 languages taught regularly; another 30 are available with sufficient interest.
Of the 63 languages regularly taught on campus, Chinese is one of the top five, with more than 1,000 enrollments each year.
BYU’s Chinese program is among the top 10 to 15 largest Chinese-language programs in the United States.
BYU offers competency-based language certificates in 15 languages.
BYU offers translation and localization courses, as well. as graduate courses in language, literature, and second-language teaching.
International Reach, 2018-19
International students: 5%
Estimated count: 1,591
Countries represented: 105
Top three nations represented: (1) Canada (2) South Korea (3) China
BYU offers 229 study-abroad programs in 80 countries; 2,100 students studied abroad during the 2017–18 academic year.
BYU has hosted 258 ambassadors from 104 countries.
Thanks to BYU’s China Teachers Program, well over 100,000 students at major universities throughout China have benefited from the instruction of experienced U.S. teachers. The 1,500 volunteer teachers from BYU who have taught in China since 1989 teach English and other content areas, helping students prepare themselves to be more effective in exchanges with the West. In return, these teachers are forever changed by their students and the people they meet, gaining love and appreciation for the people and culture of China.
Chinese Flagship Program
BYU’s nationally recognized Chinese Flagship Program is one of only 12 in the United States and is dedicated to developing global professionals who can function culturally and linguistically in the professional Chinese world. Students spend at least one year at BYU in advanced Chinese classes, while also pursuing their chosen professional studies. The following two semesters are spent in China, one semester at Nanjing University, enrolled in language and professional coursework, followed by an internship with a Chinese company or institution. BYU students are consistently among the top-scoring students in language excellence.