French
About the programme
Study French to a high level of expertise in courses specially designed to prepare you for your year abroad and future employment.
French is taught using a communicative approach and you'll also get a thorough, interactive grammar course in Stage 1 and 2. There's opportunity to learn about liaison interpreting in Stage 3.
Expect to spend one third of your time on French language study.
All Combined Honours students studying a language, go abroad for an intercalating year between Stages 2 and 3. You'll be based in a country where the language is spoken, to develop your language knowledge and expertise.
When you return in Stage 3 you'll continue to study French and optional non-language modules. You can also choose to write a dissertation on an approved topic.
Our optional modules cover aspects of language, culture and society in modern and contemporary France. Options include subjects such as:
- film
- history and society
- linguistics and language acquisition
- modern literature and Francophone writing
There are also themed courses, such as the History and Culture of Paris or Occupation and Resistance 1940-45.
French is offered by the School of Modern Languages. You may also be interested in joining our Modern Languages Society
Pre-requisites
You can study French for your Combined Honours degree from scratch, post-GCSE or post-A level (or equivalent) standards.
A maximum of two language subjects can be taken together, but only one of these can be at beginner's level.
It's not possible to study two language subjects on their own without a third non-language subject.
There are two pathways for you to follow: Level A is for beginners and Level B is for those with an A-Level qualification.
Students study either 40 or 60 credits from the list below in Stage 1.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
Level A
Compulsory modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE1065 | Level A (HE Entry Level) French I | 20 | 1 |
| FRE1066 | Level A (HE Entry Level) French II (Pre-requisite FRE1065) | 20 | 2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SML1021 | Introduction to International Film | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML1022 | Introduction to Cultural Studies | 20 | 1&2 |
Level B
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE1071 | Level B (HE Intermediate) French | 20 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE1006 | La France de 1789 à nos jours | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML1018 | Introduction to Literature | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML1019 | Introduction to Linguistics | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML1021 | Introduction to International Film | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML1022 | Introduction to Cultural Studies | 20 | 1&2 |
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 2.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
You follow the pathway for either Level B or Level C.
Level B
Compulsory module
| Module Code |
Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE1071 | Level B (HE Intermediate) French | 20 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE1006 | La France de 1789 à nos jours | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML1018 | Introduction to Literature | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML1019 | Introduction to Linguistics | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML1021 | Introduction to International Film | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML1022 | Introduction to Cultural Studies | 20 | 1&2 |
Level C
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE2061 | Level C (HE Advanced) French (Pre-requisite FRE1071) | 20 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE2009 | Paris: Aspects of History & Culture | 20 | 1&2 |
| FRE2014 | How to Build an Empire | 20 | 2 |
| FRE2015 | Explorations of the Self in Contemporary French & Francophone Writing and Visual Culture | 20 | 2 |
| FRE2016 | French for Business (Capped at 20) | 20 | 1&2 |
| FRE2044 | Linguistic Variation in French | 20 | 1 |
| FRE2045 | French Caribbean Literature | 20 | 1 |
| SML2014 | An Introduction to Italian Language and Culture (Capped at 60) | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML2016 | Reading in Translation | 20 | 1 |
Students taking a language as a subject must spend an entire academic year abroad in a country where their chosen language is spoken between Stages 2 and 3. This is your Intercalating Stage.
While abroad you shall take the following modules: SML3004 Year Abroad ePortfolio (100 credits) and either SML3006 Study Abroad (20 credits) or SML3007/8 Year Abroad Placement (20 credits).
Find further information about your Intercalating Year Abroad.
You follow either Level C or Level D.
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 3.
Level C
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE2061 | Level C (HE Advanced) French (Pre-requisite FRE1071) | 20 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE2009 | Paris: Aspects of History & Culture | 20 | 1&2 |
| FRE2014 | How to Build an Empire | 20 | 2 |
| FRE2015 | Explorations of the Self in Contemporary French & Francophone Writing and Visual Culture | 20 | 2 |
| FRE2016 | French for Business (capped at 20) | 20 | 1&2 |
| FRE2044 | Linguistic Variation in French | 20 | 1 |
| FRE2045 | French Caribbean Literature | 20 | 1 |
| SML2016 | Reading in Translation | 20 | 1 |
Level D
Compulsory modules
Compulsory module FRE4081 plus EITHER FRE4082 OR FRE4083.
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE4081 |
Level D (HE Further Advanced) French: Advanced Writing Skills-Summary/report writing at a high level of proficiency. Translation from English into the target language. |
10 | 1&2 |
| FRE4082 | Level D (HE Further Advanced) French: Language for Professional & Academic Purposes. Advanced speaking (in a semi-professional and academic context). Advanced listening and critical reporting skills. | 10 | 1&2 |
| FRE4083 | Level D (HE Further Advanced) French: Translation & Interpreting. Liaison Interpreting (in a semi-professional context). Translation from the target language into English | 10 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE4003 | Occupation and Resistance: Literary and Cinematic Responses to the Second World War in France | 20 | 1&2 |
| FRE4006 | Contemporary French Cinema | 20 | 2 |
| FRE4013 | Images d'Algerie | 20 | 1 |
| FRE4017 | From Surrealism to Street Art: Visions of the City | 20 | 2 |
| FRE4019 | Explorations of the Self in Contemporary French & Francophone Writing and Visual Culture (note: this is the same module as FRE2025 at Level C) | 20 | 2 |
| SML4003 | Advocating and Teaching Languages in Schools | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML4004 | Intermediate Italian (Pre-requisite SML2014) (Capped at 40) | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML4099 | Dissertation | 20 | 1&2 |
Get in touch
If you have any questions about choosing this subject as part of your Combined Honours degree, contact us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Subject adviser
Dr Josep Cru - School of Modern Languages