BA (Hons) French

Study French in a vibrant environment where your future is our focus. Combine your French studies with other courses to enhance your career opportunities.

Key facts

  • Award BA (Hons)
  • Start date September 2024, January 2025
  • Duration 48 months or 36 months (completing an optional Language Assistantship increases the study period to 60 months or 48 months)
  • Mode of study full time, part time
  • Delivery on campus
  • UCAS Code R120
  • Study abroad opportunities

Overview

Studying a modern language opens up a world of opportunities, and a French degree from the University of Stirling is designed with your future firmly in mind.

We focus on giving you in-depth knowledge not only of the language, but also of the factors that are shaping France and the wider French-speaking world today. This contemporary, all-encompassing approach means you’ll graduate with a true grasp of France’s place in the world and a deep understanding of the language’s ongoing evolution and reach. You’ll be qualified to apply this knowledge in a host of professional arenas – with former French graduates from Stirling having gone on to work in areas as diverse as journalism, teaching, law and translation. There’s no limit to what you can do with a second language, and the opportunity to spend an extended period studying abroad will further broaden your horizons.

Another advantage of studying French at Stirling is the flexibility of our degree programme. You can combine French with one of many other courses to further enhance your employability and pursue specific career goals from the outset. From Business Studies and Mathematics to Computing Science and Education (Secondary), our complementary subject choices are as unique as your ambitions.

Top reasons to study with us

* Rankings are based on institutions within the Guardian University Guide 2022

Entry requirements

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours

SQA Highers
ABBB - by the end of S5
AABB - by the end of S6

GCE A-levels
BBB

IB Diploma
30

BTEC (Level 3)
DDM

Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree in French and Spanish, you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A level.

Students should note that taking two languages from beginners' level where those languages are core to the programme is pedagogically inadvisable. Any student wishing to go down that route will need the written permission of both the French and Spanish Programme Directors or their appointed representative before being allowed to do so.

Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours

SQA Advanced Highers
ABB

GCE A-levels
ABB

IB Diploma
35

Essential subjects
French

Other Scottish qualifications

Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.

Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.

SWAP access course - for mature students only.

Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.

Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B

Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree in French and Spanish, you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A level

Other qualifications

English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions

English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above

Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree in French and Spanish, you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A level

International entry requirements

Advanced entry

Advanced entry is not available for this course.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

  • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each sub-skill.
  • IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

Pre-sessional English language courses

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses

Course details

You can begin your French studies in either our advanced stream (for all students who have a Higher French or equivalent) or in our beginners’ stream. If you’re in the beginners’ stream, the focus is first and foremost on intensive language learning and on building written and spoken language skills across the first semesters of study. Students in our advanced stream study a range of aspects of modern and contemporary French and Francophone history, politics and culture alongside weekly written and spoken language classes. The two teaching streams merge from Semester 4 onwards.

In Semesters 5-8, you’ll take core language modules in spoken and written French, and choose specialisms in a range of modules. In most degree combinations including French, Semester 6 is a compulsory study abroad period – which is spent at a partner university in France, Switzerland or Quebec.

Students who, with the explicit permission of the course director, do not undertake Semester 6 Abroad will be required to fulfil our minimum residence requirement (usually 4 weeks spent in a French-speaking country, often at a language school). This minimum residence is undertaken at the student’s own expense and during vacation time.

Modules

The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Course details

Teaching

You’ll be taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and small group language classes. The development of high-level language skills and cultural awareness is further encouraged by experienced native-language assistants, as well as the use of the latest language-learning software.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed on the skills you’re learning in a range of ways, for example via translations, compositions in French, essays, presentations, blogs, grammar tests and oral exams (individual and group). Single Honours students will write a dissertation in their final semester on a topic of particular interest to them, working under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Students on many other degree combinations including French will have the option of writing a dissertation.

Study abroad

During your studies, you’ll spend a period of residence abroad - usually in Semester 6 - studying at a university or business school in France or Quebec.

In addition, you will have the option to spend a year abroad between Semesters 4 and 5 (typically as a language assistant teaching English in a school). This is a competitive scheme, organised through the British Council and does not replace the requirement for Semester 6 Abroad where it is compulsory to a degree programme.

French at Stirling has exchange agreements with the Universities of Aix, Clermont-Ferrand, Geneva, Laval, Limoges, Nancy, Perpignan, Tours, UCO Angers and Sciences Po – and with business schools in Cergy-Pontoise, near Paris and Strasbourg.

Students who do not undertake Semester 6 Abroad will be required to fulfil our minimum residence requirement (usually 4 weeks spent in a French-speaking country, often at a language school). This minimum residence is undertaken at the student’s own expense and during vacation time. 

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Academic year: 2023/24 2024/25
Scottish students £1,820 £1,820
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
International students (including EU) £16,400 £17,200

Scottish students

This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.

Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.

You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.

You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

International students (including EU)

Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

Students who do not undertake Semester 6 Abroad will be required to fulfil our minimum residence requirement (usually 4 weeks spent in a French-speaking country, often at a language school). This minimum residence is undertaken at the student’s own expense and during vacation time.

Funding

See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.

Students from Scotland

Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.

International students

Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.

Cost of living

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling.

Payment options

We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.

After you graduate

What jobs can you get with a French degree?

Our French graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers that span publishing, journalism, academia, television, advertising, translation, law and teaching French or English as a foreign language. Language graduates develop excellent oral and written skills; independence and self-reliance; and confidence in dealing with a variety of people, situations and cultures. Other fields our French graduates currently work in include banking, management, marketing and public relations.

As a language graduate, you’ll be a confident communicator with an ability to adapt well to new environments. The combined courses we offer with Professional Education enable you to train as either a primary or secondary teacher with a specialism in languages – which is an opportunity you may not find on other university French courses.

Graduating with a broad understanding of France’s language, culture and its place in the modern world opens up more professional opportunities.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.

Flexible study

Are you interested in more than one of our courses? You might not have to choose between them. Here at Stirling, we believe in choice and offer more than 170 course combinations.

French can be combined with any of the following courses:
Course nameUCAS code
Business Studies UCAS code for this combination: NRF1
Computing Science UCAS code for this combination: GR41
English Studies UCAS code for this combination: QR31
Film and Media UCAS code for this combination: RP13
History UCAS code for this combination: RV11
Human Resource Management UCAS code for this combination: NRP1
Journalism Studies UCAS code for this combination: RP15
Law UCAS code for this combination: RM11
Mathematics UCAS code for this combination: GR11
Education (Secondary) UCAS code for this combination: RX11
Religion UCAS code for this combination: RV16
Spanish and Latin American Studies UCAS code for this combination: RR14
Spanish and Latin American Studies and Education (Secondary) UCAS code for this combination: RXD1

For a combined honours degree where the two subjects have different entry requirements, you will usually be asked to meet the higher entry requirement.

Find out more about degree flexibility and how you can take combined courses.