B.A. French Studies (Hons)

Course Content

The language module gives you the opportunity to bring your linguistic competence to a high level and develop your spoken and written French effectively for practical, professional and academic purposes. Throughout the course, you’ll be able to develop a strong ability in French as well as gain practical skills and knowledge in translation.

In Year 1 you’ll be introduced to the study of the French-speaking world. The focus of this year is based, in addition to language skills, on an introduction to French History and Culture. It will also help you to make important links between the cultural and linguistic learning components of your degree.

Study modules

As courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here.

Years 1, 2 and 3

Core modules in Year 1 include:

• Introduction to Modern France
• French language skills
• Reading and Writing - European Culture and Society

In Year 2 you’ll explore French culture and history in greater depth, improve your language skills and prepare for your year abroad. You can also complete an Independent Study module in which you can pursue your interests by examining a topic of your choice in greater depth with the option to do a vocational placement in one of the local secondary schools and assist Y10-11 pupils with their French for their GCSEs.

Core modules in Year 2 include:

• French language skills
• Language for Professional Communication
• Independent Study
• European Cinema
• East-West Encounters in French Culture
• World War II The French Experience
• The Business Environment in Europe

In Year 3 you will go abroad to a French speaking country. Please see below for more details.

Year 4

In Year 4 you can choose how you’d like to complete your degree. You can complete a dissertation and specialise in an area that interests you, choose a more professional strand by taking translation skills, or cap your studies by taking further modules in French culture and history.

Core units in this year include:

• French language skills
• Translation Skills
• Dissertation
• Paris City of Light
• Intrigues, Secrets and Conspiracies at Versailles
• Applied Languages Research Topics

Work placementsFor your year abroad in year 3, we are one of the few institutions which offer the exciting opportunity to do a work placement in a range of organisations mainly based in Paris.

Previous students have undertaken work experience in Air France, Alcatel-Lucent (telecommunications), Go Fluent (a language school for professionals), KCD (public relations for the fashion industry) and Affichage Autorisé (Advertising Company). We also have a strong partnership with Midiloc (car hiring company) in Antibes. These roles are secured through a rigorous process of interviews. You can also find your own work placement if you have a particular interest and we will take charge of the organisation for you.

There are also opportunities to apply to be an English language assistant through the British Council scheme. These can be based anywhere in France or another francophone country. Study abroad

If you do not want to go on a work placement, you can choose to study at a French-speaking university on your year abroad. You can study at one of our partner universities – we have Erasmus links with Angers, Aix-en-Provence, Brussels, Grenoble and Paris – or decide to go as a paid language assistant in a French school.

Oxford Brookes University is part of the European Union Lifelong Learning Programme. You are asked to pay only a third of the fee while taking any of the above three options and will receive a grant towards expenses whatever option you choose.

A programme of seminars and meetings is organised during the second year to help you prepare for your time abroad.