(Full time) 2019 start
French BA
Overview
With a diverse cultural heritage and varied history, France has been hugely influential in the shaping of the modern world. As a major economic and political force, it continues to play an important role today. This French degree will allow you to gain a thorough knowledge of this global language while building an awareness of French and Francophone culture.
You’ll improve your spoken and written French through core language modules, but you’ll also explore areas of French culture, politics, history and literature that interest you. Because we’re one of the biggest French units in the UK, we can offer flexible French degrees with an array of optional modules on topics from politics and philosophy to chivalry in medieval France, via the history of the French language and postcolonial Francophone cinema.
French at Leeds is also distinctive because translation is an integral part of our degree from your first year, providing an opportunity to specialise in this area if you want to progress to our Masters courses in translation.
Specialist facilities
Leeds offers great facilities for language students. Digital language labs, audio/video practice booths and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) are all available in our fully-equipped Language Zone. There’s also an extensive lending library of foreign films and newspapers, as well as other on-demand resources.
Our Interpreter Training Suites also offer you the chance to explore a career in interpreting, and our Electronic Resource Information Centre houses specialised computing facilities to support translation studies.
Course content
In your first two years, you’ll consolidate your written and spoken French through core language modules, as well as being introduced to key aspects of French culture.
As you progress, more of the teaching is conducted in French, and you’ll spend more time working independently to explore your own ideas and build your critical skills. All of this will serve to prepare you for your third year, where you will push your French language skills further as you spend a year working or studying in France or another Francophone country.
Having immersed yourself in the local culture, you’ll return to Leeds with a new perspective for your final year. Advanced language modules will help you refine your skills, while you’ll enjoy an even wider choice of optional modules on topics from all periods of literature to the use of French in a professional context. You’ll then undertake an independently researched dissertation or annotated translation (Final Year Project) to put the skills you’ve developed into practice.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- French Language Awareness and Skills 20 credits
- Introduction to French Studies (Resistance and Desire) 20 credits
- The Sounds of French 10 credits
- Evolution of the French Language 10 credits
- Critical Questions: Approaches to Reading and Interpretation 10 credits
- Readings in Modern French Society 10 credits
- LCS Academic Essentials
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Introduction to Skills in French Translation 20 credits
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- French Language in Contexts 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Aspects of French History 1789-1914 20 credits
- Politics and Society in France since 1945 20 credits
- The Foundations of Modern French Thought 20 credits
- The Age of Extremes: Culture, Crisis and Commitment between the Wars 20 credits
- The Seventh Art - Cinema in France 20 credits
- The Pleasures of French Poetry 20 credits
- Twentieth and Twenty-First Century French Fiction 20 credits
- Introduction to Professional French Translation and Interpreting 20 credits
- Francophone Africa
Year 3
Compulsory modules
- Frenh Year Abroad 120 credits
Year 4
Compulsory modules
- Advanced French Language Skills 20 credits
- Final Year Project
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Antiracism in France since 1945 20 credits
- Twentieth Century French Literature and the Visual Arts 20 credits
- Camera Lucida: Theory, Practice and Writing of Photography 20 credits
- Representing Empire 20 credits
- The French Novel in the Nineteenth Century: From the Mill to the Mine 20 credits
- Francophone Voices - Textual and Cultural Analysis 20 credits
- Gender, Sex and Cinema in France 20 credits
- Surrealism to Slam. Modern French Poetry and Protest 20 credits
- Paris in Revolt. The May 1968 events, past and present 20 credits
Broadening your academic horizons
At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
We use a range of different learning and teaching styles to help you benefit from the expertise of our tutors, all of whom are leading researchers in their own fields. These include lectures, small-group seminars and tutorials, or occasionally workshops.
Independent study is also an important aspect of your degree, since it allows you to develop your research skills and think critically about what you read. You’ll also participate in individual or group presentations, as part of the emphasis we place on allowing you to explore and develop your own ideas. We have excellent library resources to help you, and the University Library runs training programmes to help you can make the most of them.
Assessment
The most common forms of assessment we use are exams and essays, but group work or oral presentations may also be included as assessed components of some modules. We do offer plenty of support for these, including extra classes on issues such as exam technique, public speaking and structuring essays. This support is available throughout your time at Leeds.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB including B in French
Other course specific tests:Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be BBB at A Level including French and grade A in the EPQ.
We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required. This course has additional subject specific requirements. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
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BTEC
We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
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Cambridge Pre-U
M1, M1, M1 including French.
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International Baccalaureate
34 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 6 in French at Higher Level.
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 including H3 in French
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
BB in Advanced Highers including French and AABBB in Highers, or B in French in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers.
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Welsh Baccalaureate
The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.
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Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate: 77% including 80% in French.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level including B in French and pass Access to Leeds.
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, contact the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies admissions team.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Undergraduate Admissions Policy
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £18,500 (per year)
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2018, the fee for 2018/19 will be £9,250.
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2019, the fee for 2019/20 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government’s forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.
The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2019/20 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
A French degree gives you expertise in an important world language, as well as a real appreciation of a fascinating culture. This can lead to an exciting range of careers, but you’ll also develop some important transferable skills which are highly valued by employers.
You’ll be a strong communicator who can present and defend your views clearly, both verbally and in writing. What’s more, you will have developed skills such as teamwork, research, critical thinking and analysis – and your independence and adaptability will be demonstrated by your year abroad.
As a result, graduates have gone on to work in business and finance, marketing, management, publishing, journalism, tourism, law, cultural institutions, curatorship, the civil service and education. Others have pursued language-based careers such as translating or interpreting, or pursued further training in these fields.
Careers Support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Residence abroad
You’ll spend your third year in France or another Francophone country, immersing yourself in local culture and cultivating your language skills.
We have partnerships with a number of universities in France where you can decide to study the equivalent of your course alongside French students or take an intensive language course for learners of French. Alternatively, you can undertake a work placement with one of our partner French-speaking companies, or set up your own placement. You can also work as a language assistant in a school under the British Council’s programme.
Whatever you choose to do, you’ll gain a new insight into a French-speaking society as well as valuable experience of adapting to another culture. If you choose to work during your time abroad, you’ll also return with work experience to increase your appeal to employers. For many of our students, it’s the real highlight of their course.
Read more about Residence Abroad in French