French with Canadian Studies BA

Course overview

This course allows those whose primary interest is in French to pursue a minor in Canadian studies. The Canadian element constitutes approximately one third of the course. In years one, two and four, core French language modules are followed by all students. Additional modules are selected in a variety of topics including French literature, linguistics, history, politics, culture and film.

Year one 

In French, you will receive a firm grounding in the structures of the language through the core language module and pursue a choice of introductory studies in reading French texts, contemporary France, French history or linguistics. In Canadian studies, you will take an introductory module entitled Canadian Cultural Studies.

Year two

In French, your language studies will be consolidated and developed to prepare you for the year abroad. You will study a choice of modules aimed at developing your knowledge in some or all of the fields mentioned in the course description. In Canadian studies, you will take modules offered in Canadian literature or film or modules which study Canadian history in its North American context.

Year three

This year will be spent in Francophone Canada, on a programme of studies in a higher education institution, or on a similar programme or work placement in France or another French-speaking country.

Year four

In French, you will perfect your command of the language and its use in increasingly sophisticated contexts and study optional modules drawn from a list covering a wide range of topics in the fields mentioned in the course description. In Canadian studies, your principal task will be to write a dissertation on some aspect of Canadian literature, history or culture

More information

See also the Department of American and Canadian Studies.

Entry requirements

A levels: ABB, including French at A level

English language requirements 

IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

TOEFL iBT 100 (with no less than 20 in speaking and 19 in each other element)

Alternative qualifications 

For details please see the alternative qualifications page

Flexible admissions policy

We may make some applicants an offer lower than advertised, depending on their personal and educational circumstances.

Modules

The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.

Typical year-one modules

• The French Language
• Canadian Literature, Film and Culture
• France: Histoire et Mythologies
• Contemporary France

For more information on Canadian Studies modules, please contact the Department of American and Canadian Studies.

Typical year-two modules

• The French Language
• Women and Society in the post-war novel
• The Golden Age of French Cinema
• Huit tableaux: Art and Politics in 19th Century France
• Contemporary French Culture

For more information on Canadian Studies modules, please contact the Department of American and Canadian Studies.

Typical year-three modules

Year spent abroad. 

Please see the Department of French and Francophone Studies Year Abroad page. 

Typical year-four modules

• The French Language
• Media and Political Communication in France
• The Eighteenth-Century French novel
• Interpreting
• Président et Parlement

For more information on Canadian Studies modules, please contact the Department of American and Canadian Studies.

Typical optional modules

• Reading Texts
• Introduction to contemporary science fiction
• 17th Century Literature and Society
• Caribbean Francophone Writing
• The Everyday in Contemporary Literature and thought
• Photography in French culture
• The Concentrationary Universe in French Literature
• Dissertation in American and Canadian Studies
• Introduction to the Politics of Equality
• Literature and Politics in Modern France 

Careers

You will have a broad understanding of the literature, history and cultures of France and Canada, and an in-depth knowledge of the areas you have chosen to specialise in. Your command of the French language will be such that you can write and speak the language in a range of different professional situations, while your experience of the year abroad will indicate to potential employers that you are self-reliant, adaptable and independent.

Average starting salary

The average starting salary for 2010/11 full-time graduates of the Department of French and Francophone Studies was £19,687 and for graduates of the Department of American and Canadian Studies it was £19,466*

*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2010/11.

KIS