BA (Hons) in French University of Stirling

Overview

Studying a modern language opens up a world of opportunities, and a French degree from the University of Stirling is designed with your future firmly in mind.

Top reasons to study with us

#1 We're ranked 2nd in Scotland and Top 10 in the UK for French (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)

#2 Spend a Semester studying abroad at one of our partner universities in France, Switzerland, Quebec or Morocco

#3 2nd in Scotland for student satisfaction in French (National Student Survey 2022)

We focus on giving you in-depth knowledge not only of the language, but also of the factors that are shaping France and the wider French-speaking world today. This contemporary, all-encompassing approach means you’ll graduate with a true grasp of France’s place in the world and a deep understanding of the language’s ongoing evolution and reach. You’ll be qualified to apply this knowledge in a host of professional arenas – with former French graduates from Stirling having gone on to work in areas as diverse as journalism, teaching, law and translation. There’s no limit to what you can do with a second language, and the opportunity to spend an extended period studying abroad will further broaden your horizons.

Another advantage of studying French at Stirling is the flexibility of our degree programme. You can combine French with one of many other courses to further enhance your employability and pursue specific career goals from the outset. From Business Studies and Mathematics to Computing Science and Education (Secondary), our complementary subject choices are as unique as your ambitions.

Course details

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.

Please note, 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.

Teaching

You’ll be taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and small group language classes. The development of high-level language skills and cultural awareness is further encouraged by experienced native language assistants, as well as the use of the latest language-learning software.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed on the skills you’re learning in a range of ways, for example via translations, compositions in French, essays, presentations, blogs, grammar tests and oral exams (individual and group). Single Honours students will write a dissertation in their final semester on a topic of particular interest to them, working under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Students on many other degree combinations including French will have the option of writing a dissertation.

Study abroad

During your studies, you’ll spend a period of residence abroad - usually in Semester 6 - studying at a university or business school in France, Quebec, Switzerland or Morocco.

In addition, you will have the option to spend a year abroad between Semesters 4 and 5 – typically as a language assistant teaching English in a school. Please note that this is a competitive scheme, organised through the British Council and does not replace the requirement for Semester 6 Abroad where it is compulsory to a degree programme.

French at Stirling has exchange agreements with the Universities of Aix, Clermont-Ferrand, Geneva, Laval, Limoges, Nancy, Perpignan, Rabat, Tours, UCO Angers and Sciences Po – and also with business schools in Cergy-Pontoise, near Paris and Strasbourg.

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.

Contact

Professor Elizabeth Ezra, Course Director

+44 (0)1786 467538
[email protected]