Course Overview
Taught by lecturers who conduct internationally respected research into the languages and cultures of France and the French speaking world, your degree course gives you the opportunity to acquire both high-level language skills and a thorough understanding of French cultures and societies within a global context. Besides your core language courses, you'll be able to choose from a broad range of specialist cultural, historical and political courses promoting comparative understanding of countries within Europe and beyond.
You begin your degree with core courses including Advanced or Intensive French oral and written language and Shaping Contemporary France: Culture, Politics and the Legacy of History. You will also be able to choose other modules, such as 'Understanding Culture' and 'Cinema, or Society in Europe and Latin America: Thematic and Formal Perspectives'.
Spending your third year either studying or working in a French speaking country is compulsory. The year abroad makes a major contribution to your command of the language, while deepening your intercultural sensitivity.
In your fourth year, you will continue developing your core French language oral and written skills. You can combine this with a choice of specialist culture courses, such as 'Modern French Identities: Race' and 'Nation and Francophone Voices: Literature and Film from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and Canada'.
If you take a Single Major degree in French you will expand your interest in a particular topic from your second year studies and develop your own specialist Dissertation.
Lancaster University's an interesting place. It's a friendly and accepting environment, and I'm really enjoying it here.
Career opportunities
A career abroad is a popular option for our French Studies graduates - through teaching, or working for an international organisation such as the British Council, Civil or Diplomatic Service. Many graduates also find openings in businesses based in European or other countries.
The language and communication skills gained on this course enable graduates to find work in areas from journalism, advertising, teaching and librarianship to accountancy and IT.
Many French Studies graduates continue their studies at Lancaster, with our excellent postgraduate research facilities. Some students go onto professional training opportunities in areas such as interpreting, translating or teaching.
Modules
Here are some of the current modules which are available during your studies at Lancaster:
PartI
- French Studies (Advanced)
- Part I French Studies (Intensive)
PartII (Year 2)
- Culture, Politics and the Legacy of History
- Oral Skills
- Oral skills (post-intensive)
- Written Skills
- Written Skills (post-intensive)
PartII (Year 3)
- intercultural and academic reflection
PartII (Year 4)
- Full Unit Dissertation
- Oral Skills
- Written Skills
For more detailed module information please visit the European Languages and Cultures department website.
Entry Requirements
A-level: AAB inc. French unless this is to be studied from beginners level, in which case we require evidence of language learning ability. We normally expect three A-levels.
General Studies: Accepted as one of 3 A-levels
Key skills: Not included in offer
Scottish Highers: ABBBB
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 35 pts overall with 15 pts from best three HL courses
BTEC: DDD/DDM
Mature students: Applications welcomed from mature students who can provide evidence of language-learning ability. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
IELTS: 6.5
For details of how we evaluate international qualifications, please click here.
Financial Support
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. In addition to government maintenance loans, grants and national scholarships, Lancaster University offers a range of financial support for full time UK Undergraduate students from lower-income backgrounds. Many students each year will be entitled to bursaries or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses.
The Lancaster Scholarship package is designed to reward the hard work and natural ability of full-time UK students applying to study with us regardless of their household income. Students achieving A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications) will receive a £1,000 per year Lancaster Scholarship during their undergraduate studies if they place us as their firm choice institution. Continuation of the Lancaster Scholarship is subject to satisfactory academic progression.
Our combined £5,000 bursary package will help students from England whose household incomes are less than £25,000 per year with fees and living costs.
Students from England eligible for our £5,000 bursary package will also be awarded a £3,000 Lancaster Scholarship if they achieve A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications). This totals £8,000 of support for students during their studies.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our
fees and funding page.
