French BA
London, Bloomsbury
French BA (2024)
This four-year programme aims to develop students' interest in, and knowledge of, the French and francophone worlds past and present. This includes language, film studies, literature from the medieval and early modern to the contemporary, libertinism, theory, modernism and postcolonialism.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
Programme starts
September 2023Application deadline
25 Jan 2023UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- ABB
- Subjects
- French required at grade A.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- BBB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- French required.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
- Points
- 34
- Subjects
- A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects including French grade 6, with no higher level score below 5.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 32 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects to include French grade 6, with no higher level score below 5.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction, 12 credits at Merit and 3 credits at Pass in the Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades ABB. French grade A is required.
A,B,B at Advanced Highers (or A,B at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher). French grade A required at Advanced Higher.
D3,M1,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. French D3 required.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 4
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
The structure of the programme allows you to study modules in French language (written and oral), literature, culture, history, politics and society. You will have some flexibility throughout your degree to focus on areas you find particularly interesting. These opportunities increase as you progress.
You will also take modules allowing you to study literature, film, art and culture from outside your subject area. This will enable you to focus on broad cultural movements, issues and approaches from an interdisciplinary perspective.
What this course will give you
You will benefit from a strong focus on spoken and written language work. Oral presentations, comprehension work and translation exercises will be features of your learning. Native speakers form an integral part of our teaching team.
We place emphasis on film and literature studies, with resources including a notable French section in the UCL Library. We offer modules covering all periods of French and francophone literature and thought.
As part of your studies, you will have access to the facilities of the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education. The French Society organises cultural and social events including theatre visits, drama productions and trips to France.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in French.
Modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
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Please click here to view a current list of undergraduate modules offered by the department.
You will spend your third year in France or another part of la Francophonie (for example, Québec). You can choose whether to spend the year as a language assistant in a French school, as a student at a French-speaking university, or undertaking a work placement.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Your learning
Throughout the degree your teaching will be conducted mainly through small seminar groups, together with some lectures. Seminars are characterised by a 'hands-on' textual and analytical approach, whereas lectures are used for discussing general intellectual contexts.
During Terms 1 and 2, approximately 35% of a student's time is spent in lectures, seminars or tutorials and the remainder in independent study. There is minimal teaching during Term 3, which focusses on examinations and assessment.
Assessment
Most modules are examined either by end-of-year examination papers or by assessed essay work completed during the year. You will also undertake oral examinations in French.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
The foundation of your career
Graduates of the department have entered a wide range of professions including finance, commerce, journalism, education, the media, public relations, and translation and interpreting.
Employability
In addition to linguistic and cultural understanding, this programme aims to develop skills in critical reasoning, independent thinking and application of theoretical concepts. You will learn how to conduct research and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £26,200 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2023/24 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.
Additional costs
The Study Abroad year will incur additional travel and living costs which vary depending on destination and what you choose to do during the year.
Additional funding may be available via the Turing Scheme, although please note that this is an external scheme so cannot be guaranteed.
In addition, please note that if you wish to study abroad during your programme at UCL, this is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.
A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Our admissions process aims to assess your linguistic abilities and achievements, as well as cultural awareness and intellectual potential. We may interview candidates by telephone in order to establish a level of language ability.
If your application demonstrates that you are suitable and you receive an offer, then we will invite you to a Post Offer Open Day where you can experience the sort of teaching we offer and life in the department.
Got questions? Get in touch
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