French Studies
Learn about the French-speaking cultures of the whole world, from social movements in Francophone countries, to the many facets of the city of Paris, to classic French cinema or the literature of the Caribbean.
Discover French at Newcastle University
The French section at Newcastle University will support you to reach an excellent level in your French language skills. You'll gain a deep understanding of cultural and intellectual issues in the French-speaking world and beyond.
French is the first language of around 250 million people on several continents. Studying the French language and French-speaking cultures and societies opens up a wide variety of career opportunities, such as:
- international business
- NGOs
- diplomacy
- education
- translation
You can choose from an extensive and flexible choice of subject combinations and pathways, whether or not you have studied French at school. At Newcastle, you can study French from beginner level or after taking French as an A-level (or equivalent qualification).
You can find lots of information about our undergraduate degrees below.
We also offer courses for postgraduate students including Master's degrees and PhDs.
Graduate stories
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I also loved my teachers and lecturers. They were kind, supportive and, above all, knowledgeable. Their amazing personalities and interesting lecture topics made me actually WANT to turn up every day.
Optional Year Abroad
One of the attractions of studying French as part of your bachelor's degree at university is the opportunity to spend a year abroad. Immerse yourself in the culture of a French-speaking country while developing your language fluency.
What you might do
During your year abroad in a French-speaking country, you can:
- study at a partner university
- work as an English Language Assistant in a school
- undertake a work placement
Where might you go
We have links with a large variety of universities, businesses, and translation schools in France and Belgium. We are always trying to develop more connections, so that you can shape a year abroad to suit your aspirations.
What you'll learn
In the School of Modern Languages, classes focus on themes that:
- develop a deeper understanding of French-speaking culture and society in a global context
- encourage you to refine your linguistic, intellectual and writing skills, in both French and English
- enhance your ability to navigate transcultural challenges and act as an intermediary between languages and cultures
There's so much more to studying French at university than just learning a language. At Newcastle, we believe that language and culture are intimately linked and the modules our students take reflect this. Your French development is embedded in an expanded knowledge of French-speaking culture and society.
Examples of areas you may study are:
- linguistics
- literature
- visual cultures (including film and performance)
- history
- cultural studies
As you progress through your degree, you can specialise in a particular area by taking one of a range of optional French modules. These modules focus on different aspects of historical and contemporary French-speaking culture and society.
In addition, you may be able to take beginner’s modules in Catalan or Italian in your second year and, if you would like to take this further, intermediate modules in final year.
How you'll study
At Newcastle University, both language and cultural modules draw on authentic materials from the French-speaking world. You will be encouraged to work closely with these materials throughout your degree.
Some lectures and seminars will be taught entirely in French. In others, you'll actively practice French skills through:
- engaging with French texts via guided reading and textual analysis
- practising your written French
- leading discussions in French
You will also be shown how to work closely with a broad range of authentic cultural materials in an advanced way. In all classes, you will develop your analytical, presentation and writing skills.
Why study French at Newcastle University?
Teaching inspired by research
In the School of Modern Languages, our friendly, multi-disciplinary team includes both French and English speakers. We cover a variety of approaches to contemporary French Studies, focusing broadly on the French-speaking world.
Our teaching is inspired and informed by our research interests. Your French degree will be taught by experts who are setting the agenda in terms of the latest thinking and debates.
We provide a dynamic research environment. Staff of international prominence work alongside team members who are just beginning their careers.
Newcastle has long been an important centre for French studies. We have outstanding research in:
- Translation and Interpreting
- Film, Media and Visual Arts
- Linguistics
- Literature, Theory and Thought
- History, Culture and Society
Wide range of optional modules
There's so much more to a French university course than just gaining fluency in the language. You can discover a new area of interest or focus on your particular specialism with our large selection of optional modules.
Examples of modules could include French and Francophone:
- history
- society
- politics
- literature
- culture
- film
- linguistics
- translation and interpreting
Find the latest module information on the course page of the degree you are interested in.
If languages and cultures are of particular interest, anyone studying French or Spanish can also take our Introduction to Catalan and Italian modules. Or, if you think you might like to try teaching, we have a module on Advocating and Teaching Modern Languages in Schools. Follow your passion at Newcastle University.
Develop your language skills
The School of Modern Languages, develops your fluency and language skills. We:
- offer a range of modules, taught completely in French
- provide opportunities to practise your spoken French
Extracurricular activities
There are lots of French-related activities available in Newcastle! Reinforce your language studies with:
- regular films in French at the Tyneside Cinema
- French evenings hosted by the local Alliance Française (our lecturers regularly give talks)
- final-year opportunities to practise your translation and language skills in a professional context