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 January 2024, September 2023
- 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
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.
Additional information
General entrance requirements apply
If you’ve taken exams over two sittings, repeated an exam, or been upgraded, the entrance requirements may be higher.
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 5.5 in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 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
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language 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, Morocco or Quebec. 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.
The “Option B” study route listed below for semesters 5 and 6 is only for students who have received explicit permission from the course director not to study abroad in semester 6.
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 (September 2022). 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.
Mode of study
Full-time (three modules per semester).
Part-time (one or two modules per semester).
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, Quebec, Switzerland or Morocco.
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, Rabat, 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.
Contact
Professor Elizabeth Ezra, Course Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820* | £1,820 * |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| European Union students | £15,900 | £16,400 |
| Overseas students (non-EU) | £15,900 | £16,400 |
Scottish students
* This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, students domiciled in Scotland can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on their behalf. If you’re unsure of your fee status, you can check your eligibility.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you’ll 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 will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
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 below for more information.
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.
European Union students
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Undergraduate Scholarship, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students from the Republic of Ireland should see the fee and funding information under England, Wales, NI and Republic of Ireland.
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.
Overseas students (non-EU)
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 opportunities
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students domiciled in Scotland
Use our scholarship finder to find funding opportunities for Scottish-domiciled students.
EU students
Eligible students will automatically receive our automatic scholarship of up to £30k, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students domiciled in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Choice Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
Students domiciled overseas
The University of Stirling offers generous undergraduate funding opportunities for overseas students. To find out if you're eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.
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.
EU and overseas 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.
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.
Employability skills
Your employability is one of our highest priorities, and we want to make sure you have every possible advantage when you enter the job market. We offer a comprehensive employability and skills programme to help you maximise your time at Stirling and develop the attributes required by employers. We also have a dedicated Faculty Employability and Skills Officer and a Careers and Employability Service that work in partnership with academic staff to ensure you get the best out of your University experience, and are given the right opportunities to make you ready for the world of work.
Your studies will equip you with skills in the following areas, plus many more:
- Communication
- Analytical thinking
- Independent study and research
- Time management
- Teamwork
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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.