(Full time) 2020 start
French BA
Overview
With a diverse cultural heritage and varied history, France has been hugely influential in the shaping of the modern world. As a major economic and political force, it continues to play an important role today. This French degree will allow you to gain a thorough knowledge of this global language while building an awareness of French and Francophone culture.
You’ll improve your spoken and written French through core language modules, but you’ll also explore areas of French culture, politics, history and literature that interest you. Because of our size, we can offer flexible French degrees with an a range of optional modules on topics from politics and philosophy to chivalry in medieval France, via the history of the French language and postcolonial Francophone cinema.
Translation is an integral part of our degree from your first year, providing an opportunity to specialise in this area if you want to progress to our Masters courses in translation.
Specialist facilities
You'll have access to specialised computing facilities for translation studies and dedicated Interpreter Training Suites so you can explore different career options. There is also a fully equipped Language Zone with digital language labs, audio-video practice booths, an extensive library of films and newspaers, and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL).
Course content
In your first two years, you’ll consolidate your written and spoken French through core language modules, as well as being introduced to key aspects of French culture.
As you progress, more of your classes will be taught in French, and you’ll spend more time working independently to explore your own ideas and build your critical skills. All of this will prepare you for your third year, where you will push your French language skills further as you spend a year working or studying in France or another Francophone country.
Having immersed yourself in the local culture, you’ll return to Leeds with a new perspective for your final year. Advanced language modules will help you refine your skills, while you’ll enjoy an even wider choice of optional modules on topics from all periods of literature to the use of French in a professional context. You’ll then undertake an independently researched dissertation or annotated translation (Final Year Project) to put the skills you’ve developed into practice.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Independent study is also an important aspect of your degree, since it allows you to develop your research skills and think critically about what you read. You’ll also participate in individual or group presentations, as part of the emphasis we place on allowing you to explore and develop your own ideas. We have excellent library resources to help you, and the University Library runs training programmes to help you can make the most of them.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We also use various types of assessment. Exams and essays are a significant part of this, but in some modules you may also be assessed on components such as group work, reports, or oral presentations. We offer support in these areas as well – for example, we run extra classes on skills such as public speaking, structuring essays and exam technique that you’ll be able to attend throughout your time at Leeds.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB including B in French
Other course specific tests:Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be BBB at A Level including French and grade A in the EPQ.
We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required. This course has additional subject specific requirements. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
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BTEC
We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
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Cambridge Pre-U
M1, M1, M1 including French.
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International Baccalaureate
34 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 6 in French at Higher Level.
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 including H3 in French
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
BB in Advanced Highers including French and AABBB in Highers, or B in French in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers.
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Welsh Baccalaureate
The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.
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Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate: 77% including 80% in French.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level including B in French and pass Access to Leeds.
International
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £19,500 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
A French degree gives you expertise in an important world language, experience of living abroad, and a real appreciation of a fascinating culture. You’ll also develop some important transferable skills which are highly valued by employers.
You’ll be a strong communicator who can present and defend your views clearly, both verbally and in writing. What’s more, you will have developed skills such as teamwork, research, critical thinking and analysis – and your independence and adaptability will be demonstrated by your year abroad.
As a result, graduates have gone on to work in business and finance, marketing, management, publishing, journalism, tourism, law, cultural institutions, curatorship, the civil service and education.
Others have studied for a postgraduate qualification in translating or interpreting to pursue language-based careers or continued to study French language or culture to Masters level, either for a PhD and career in academia or to further their knowledge.
We are committed to helping you achieve your career ambitions. The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies careers and employability support includes promoting internships, providing opportunities to work for the School and employer-led workshops and events.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
You’ll spend your third year in France or another Francophone country, immersing yourself in local culture and cultivating your language skills. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll gain a new insight into a French-speaking society as well as valuable experience of adapting to another culture. For many of our students, it’s the real highlight of their course.
Study abroad
We have partnerships with a number of universities in France where you can decide to study the equivalent of your course alongside French students or take an intensive language course for learners of French.
Work placement
Alternatively, you can undertake a work placement with one of our partner French-speaking companies, or set up your own placement. You can also work as a language assistant in a school under the British Council’s programme.