French
Study French as part of your Combined Honours degree. Explore French culture and a combination of practical language study and communication skills.
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.
Stage 1
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 |
| SML1025 | Language and Cross-Cultural Communication* | 20 | 2 |
*This module is for Stage 1 only.
Level B
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE1071 | Level B (HE Intermediate) French (Pre-requisite: A-level (or equivalent) French) | 20 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE1006 | France and the Francophone World | 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 |
| SML1025 | Language and Cross-Cultural Communication* | 20 | 2 |
*This module is for Stage 1 only.
All students taking at least one language, regardless of level, must take the following module:
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Study and Research Skills | 0 | 1&2 |
Stage 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE1070 | Level B (HE Intermediate) French (Ex-Level A) (Pre-requisite: FRE1065 or FRE1066) | 20 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE1006 | France and the Francophone World | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE2005 | Classic French Cinema | 20 | 1&2 |
| FRE2009 | Paris: Aspects of History & Culture | 20 | 1&2 |
| FRE2014 | How to Build an Empire | 20 | 2 |
| FRE2044 | Linguistic Variation in France | 20 | 2 |
| FRE2045 | The French Caribbean - Literature, Language and Society | 20 | 1 |
| SML2014* | Italian Language and Culture l (Capped at 60) | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML2016** | Reading in Translation | 20 | 1 |
| SPA2021* | Catalan l | 20 | 1&2 |
*Students can only take ONE of GER2031: Dutch I, SML2014: Italian Language and Culture I, SML2017: Korean I and SPA2021: Catalan I.These modules are for Stage 2 only.
**Students can only take ONE of SML2014: Italian Language and Culture I, SML2016: Reading in Translation and SPA2021: Catalan I with French.
All students must take the following module:
| Module Code |
Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SML2099 | Year Abroad Preparation | 0 | 1&2 |
Intercalating Year
Students taking a language as a subject have the option to spend one semester or an entire academic year abroad in a country where their chosen language is spoken between Stages 2 and 3. This shall be their Intercalating Stage. While abroad they shall take the following modules (dependent on choice of placement):
Compulsory module:
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SML3004 | Year Abroad Tutor Posts | 100 | 1&2 |
Optional modules:
Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SML3006* | Study Abroad | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML3007 | Year Abroad Placement Report (Semester 1) | 20 | 1 |
| SML3008 | Year Abroad Placement Report (Semester 2) | 20 | 2 |
| SML3009 | Year Abroad Project (Semester 1) | 20 | 1 |
| SML3010 | Year Abroad Project (Semester 2) | 20 | 2 |
*All students spending at least one semester studying as part of their year abroad must take SML3006.
Find further information about your Intercalating Year Abroad.
Stage 3
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: FRE1070) | 20 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE2005 | Classic French Cinema | 20 | 1&2 |
| FRE2009 | Paris: Aspects of History & Culture | 20 | 1&2 |
| FRE2014 | How to Build an Empire | 20 | 2 |
| FRE2044 | Linguistic Variation in France | 20 | 2 |
| FRE2045 | The French Caribbean - Literature, Language and Society | 20 | 1 |
| HSS3500*** | Combined Honours Final Year Project | 20 | 1&2 |
| HSS3099*** | Combined Honours Final Year Project | 40 | 1&2 |
***Undertake an in-depth, independent research project with flexibility to select a topic related to one or all your subject areas, and the option to deliver a written or creative output. Supervisors are assigned from the Combined Honours academic team, and you can choose which subject(s) you want the credits to go towards.
All students must choose ONE of the modules below. Students must not select more than 20 credits for a single language (Pre-requisite: FRE2061):
Level D
Compulsory modules
All students must choose ONE of the modules below. Students must not select more than 20 credits for a single language (Pre-requisite: FRE2061):
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRE4086 | Level D (HE Further Advanced): French for Professional an Academic Purposes | 20 | 1&2 |
| FRE4087 | Level D (HE Further Advanced): French Translation & Interpreting | 20 | 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 |
| FRE4014 | Historical Perspectives on the French Language | 20 | 1 |
| FRE4015 | From Experimental to Explicit: Translating Women's Writing in French | 20 | 2 |
| FRE4020 | From Cannibals to Kin: Global Encounters in French and Francophone Travel Writing | 20 | 2 |
| FRE4022 | Social Justice in French and Francophone Culture | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML4003 | Advocating and Teaching Languages in Schools (Capped at 15) (Pre-requisite: Students must have achieved a minimum of 60% in the language in Level C at Stage 2) | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML4004 | Italian Language and Culture ll (Pre-requisite SML2014 in Stage 2) (Capped at 40) | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML4008** | Memory and Storytelling Across Borders (Co-requisite: Students must be studying FRE4003, FRE4014, FRE4015, FRE4020 or FRE4022 as well) | 20 | 1 |
| SML4099 | Dissertation/T&I Project (Must be French based) | 20 | 1&2 |
| SPA4002* | Catalan II (Pre-requisite: SPA2021 in Stage 2) | 20 | 1&2 |
| HSS3500*** | Combined Honours Final Year Project | 20 | 1&2 |
| HSS3099*** | Combined Honours Final Year Project | 40 | 1&2 |
*Students can only take ONE of GER4004: Dutch II, SML4004: Italian Language and Culture II, SML4007: Korean II and SPA4002: Catalan II.
**Students can only take ONE of SML4004: Italian Language and Culture II, SML4008: Memory and Storytelling Across Borders and SPA4002: Catalan II with French.
***Undertake an in-depth, independent research project with flexibility to select a topic related to one or all your subject areas, and the option to deliver a written or creative output. Supervisors are assigned from the Combined Honours academic team, and you can choose which subject(s) you want the credits to go towards.
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 Patricia Oliart - School of Modern Languages
Professor Guy Austin - School of Modern Languages