26 March 2025
Bilbao Campus San Sebastian Campus
The University of Deusto has approved its Master Plan for Language Policy 2025-2030, furthering its long-standing commitment to linguistic diversity and the promotion of the Basque language. In this new stage, the institution aims to progress towards effective trilingualism – Spanish, Basque, and English – across all its activities and dimensions, reinforcing its strong ties to Basque society while embracing its clear international scope.
This Master Plan seeks to serve as a roadmap that supports the University’s adaptation to a rapidly changing environment and strengthens its strategic focus on local inculturation and internationalisation. The document is structured around four key focus areas: Academic Dimension, University Community, Communication, and Social Participation and Engagement.
In the academic dimension, Deusto aims to enhance its offerings in Basque by providing more subjects and training activities in the language – in which approximately 40% of credits are already taught – while also promoting research and knowledge transfer. Regarding English, the plan aims to welcome and teach a growing number of international students and equip local students to pursue their careers in English, progressively increasing the amount of teaching in this language – with 30% of credits currently offered in English. To this end, more subjects will be offered exclusively in English for all students. The development of bachelor's and master's dissertations, as well as doctoral theses, in Basque and English will also be encouraged, among other measures.
Communicating in the three languages
In the area of the university community, Deusto aims to implement measures that enable the institution to operate and engage with all its audiences in Spanish, Basque, and English. It also aims to improve linguistic quality in teaching and services.
In the area of communication, ongoing measures will be implemented to ensure the use of Basque and Spanish as official languages in all internal and external communications. Additionally, positive action measures will be introduced to promote the use of Basque as a working, communication, and relational language within the University. In this new stage, the University will ensure that all information and services essential for studying, teaching, and research are also available in English.
Finally, the plan aims to encourage the involvement of the university community in initiatives for linguistic promotion and awareness, with a special focus on Basque. To this end, a specific area of work will be established at Deusto Campus to drive initiatives and campaigns that support this goal. Additionally, collaboration with social stakeholders and public administrations will be strengthened to promote a positive approach to linguistic diversity.
The ultimate goal is for Deusto to offer a wide range of academic programmes and a high-quality university experience in all its dimensions for its increasingly international community, while being recognised as an active player in the Basque language ecosystem, making a significant contribution to its normalisation and promotion within the university context.
