Course overview
On this course, you have the opportunity to combine studies in French language, literature and culture with a wide range of political topics. You will develop your French language skills to degree level, while learning to compare and contrast political institutions and behaviour in liberal democracies and to apply political ideas and concepts to key social issues and issues in world politics.
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 Politics, you take modules in contemporary political theory, comparative politics and international relations. You learn to compare and contrast political institutions and behaviour in liberal democracies and to apply political ideas and concepts to key social issues and issues in world politics.
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 Politics, you take a range of options from three designated 'core' areas: political theory, comparative politics and international relations.
Year three
You will spend year three in France or a Francophone country, on a programme of studies in a higher education institution, as an assistant in a school or on a work placement.
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 Politics, you may select to research and write a dissertation under the supervision of a member of staff, and/or choose options in political theory, comparative politics and international relations.
More information
See also the
School of Politics & International Relations.
Entry requirements
A levels: AAB, including A in French at A level
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
TOEFL iBT 100 (no less that 21 in listening and writing, 22 in reading and 23 in speaking)
Alternative qualifications
For details please see the alternative qualifications page
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
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Power and the State
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Contemporary France
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The French Language
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Political Ideas in Conflict
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Reading Texts
For more information on Politics modules, please contact the School of Politics and International Relations.
Typical year-two modules
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The French Language
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Women and Society in the post-war novel
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The Golden Age of French Cinema
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Huit tableaux: Art and Politics in 19th Century France
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Contemporary French Culture
For more information on Politics modules, please contact the School of Politics and International Relations.
Typical year-three modules
Year spent abroad.
Please see the Department of French and Francophone Studies Year Abroad page.
Typical year-four modules
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The French Language
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The Eighteenth-Century French novel
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Interpreting
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Président et Parlement
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Molière
For more information on Politics modules, please contact the School of Politics and International Relations.
Typical optional modules
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Aspects of the Second World War in French cinema
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Approaches to Political Studies
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Politics and Society in Europe
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African Francophone Fiction
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Social and Global Justice
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Property and its Critics
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The French Revolution: Arts as Propaganda
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Linguistic variation in France
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Power and International Order
Skills and careers
You will have a broad knowledge of political ideas and concepts and the ability to think and study independently. You will have a level of French that allows you to operate in sophisticated social and professional contexts. Your year abroad will suggest to potential employers that you are adaptable and independent.
Average starting salary
The average starting salary for 2009/10 full-time graduates of the Department of French and Francophone Studies was £19,660.00 and for graduates of the School of Politics and International Relations it was £20,391.89.*
*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2009/10.