What is French studies?
As Britain's nearest neighbour and a major European power, France has always been important to this country, and, in a period of ever-closer links with Europe, this remains as true as ever. French is also a world language and an essential means of communication between many nations. The study of French is therefore a matter of national interest and an opening to a variety of careers.
How will I study?
Teaching is conducted in a variety of ways, involving lectures, seminars, language workshops, small oral groups and computer-aided learning. A proportion of teaching is conducted in French.
Courses in the Department are designed to equip you with a high level of competence in the written and spoken French language. In years one, two and four, you will follow a core language curriculum which combines work on grammar with training in skills such as translation, résumé and essay writing. The course also includes regular classes in spoken French taught by native speakers of the language and, in year four, specialist professional language modules.
Our courses are modular, which allows for maximum flexibility in the design of your degree. Alongside core modules, you will have the opportunity to choose modules in your area of interest.
Assessment
Modules are assessed by coursework and/or exams. The first year is a qualifying year and does not count towards your final degree classification. Grades gained in the second and fourth year make up your degree classification, with more emphasis placed on the final year.
Studying abroad
The third year of all our courses is spent abroad. You may spend your time either as an English language assistant in a school, on a work placement, or studying in a university. In addition, there is the opportunity to spend a semester in Australasia, Canada, China or the United States in the course of the second year.
Further information can be found on our study abroad web pages.
Career prospects and employability
Our courses allow you to develop a range of professional and transferable skills, applicable on graduation to many different careers. Recent graduates have gone on to work for Deloitte, Ernst&Young, Renault UK, the RAF, Europa Publications, the European Economic and Social Committee, and Emirates Airlines. In addition, graduates can go on to further study, such as MAs in Interpreting and/or Translation and MScs in Management, Business and Information Technology.
The average starting salary for 2010/11 full-time graduates of the Department of French and Francophone Studies was £19,687.*
*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2010/11.
Application and interview
Offers are usually made without interview. Mature students and applicants with non-standard qualifications may be invited for interview.
Open days
UCAS visit days for students offered a place are normally held from late January to March. You are welcome to visit at other times – please contact us or for dates of our open days visit
www.nottingham.ac.uk/opendays