This paper examines legislation concerning language policy and language choice in the UK and South Africa. In particular an account of the pressures and imperatives to which such policy development must respond is provided. The paper suggests that the comparison between South Africa and the UK is relevant and compelling, not least because both countries respond to an awareness of multilingualism and internationalism in both the schooling and higher education systems, though in different ways and with different effects. The paper explores the degree to which language policies may facilitate, but may also obstruct, language development and choice in HEIs in the UK and South Africa.