You can begin your French studies in either our advanced stream (for all students who have a Higher French or equivalent) or in our beginners’ stream. If you’re in the beginners’ stream the focus is first and foremost on intensive language learning and on building written and spoken language skills across the first semesters of study. Students in our advanced stream study a range of aspects of modern and contemporary French and Francophone history politics and culture alongside weekly written and spoken language classes. The two teaching streams merge from Semester 4 onwards.

In Semesters 5-8 you’ll take core language modules in spoken and written French and choose specialisms in a range of modules. In most degree combinations including French Semester 6 is a compulsory study abroad period – which is spent at a partner university in France Switzerland Morocco or Quebec. Students who do not undertake Semester 6 Abroad will be required to fulfil our minimum residence requirement (usually 4 weeks spent in a French-speaking country often at a language school). This minimum residence is undertaken at the student’s own expense and during vacation time.

The “Option B” study route listed below for semesters 5 and 6 is only for students who have received explicit permission from the course director not to study abroad in semester 6.

Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

There are two alternative paths in year three. Please review all options carefully.

It is recommended that students spend a year in a French-speaking country between semester 4 and 5 as language assistants (non-credit bearing) if students are eligible through the British Council organised scheme details of which will be circulated in Semester 3. Residence abroad between semesters 4 and 5 does not replace the requirement for Study Abroad in Semester 6.

Year 1 Semester 1 (Option 1)
Compulsory module

Select 20 credits from FREU9A1 FREU9B1 list

Module Credits
The French-Speaking World 1 (FREU9A1) 20 credits
Introductory French 1 (FREU9B1) 20 credits
Students taking FREU9B1 should discuss expected workload with the French Programme Director and should be aware that the Beginners' stream merges fully with the Advanced stream from Semester 4 onwards with no further differentiation between student levels. Students should note that taking two languages from Beginners' level where those languages are core to the programme is pedagogically inadvisable. Any student wishing to go down that route will need the written permission of both the French and Spanish Programme Directors or their appointed representative before being allowed to do so.

Option module

Select 40 credits from list

Module Credits
Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1) 20 credits
Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP) 20 credits
Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE) 20 credits
Ecology: An Introduction (BIOU1IE) 20 credits

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it