Full Time: 4 Years
Combine the study of French culture and language with a broad exploration of history.
Join our friendly and dynamic Department of Modern Languages and European Studies, which offers the opportunity to study in a lively, multilingual community with staff and students from all over the world. We offer a flexible and supportive approach to learning that allows you to tailor your degree to your interests, including the opportunity to learn other languages.
Through this course you will become confident and highly skilled in written and spoken French. You will master the fundamental elements of the language, to the point where you will graduate with a near-native command of it. We’re proud of our small language classes, led by native speakers. Direct access to expert staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your language skills to the best of your ability.
This course enables you to pursue your own interests through a wide range of optional modules in French and francophone culture, history, literature, politics and film. You will have the opportunity to study with staff who are internationally recognised experts in French-speaking literature, history and culture including: the literature of the French Caribbean; French children’s literature and publishing; 20th century French history; Medieval literature, history and art, as well as translation and adaptation studies.
Discover a thousand years of history whilst experiencing all the specialist areas on offer at the University of Reading, including Britain, Europe, Russia, Africa, America, the Middle East and South Asia. Your first year acts as an introduction and helps you identify your particular areas of interest. You will explore people, politics and revolution and we will teach you the skills you need to study and research history. Certain modules focus on French history, allowing you to explore the reigns of monarchs in Capetian France or the political leaders and groups during the French Revolution – a great way to complement your study of the language.
An integral part of the course is the opportunity for you to spend up to a year in a French-speaking country, either studying at a partner institution through the Erasmus+ programme, undertaking a work placement or working as a British Council language teaching assistant. This allows you to directly immerse yourself in the culture and considerably develop your knowledge of French at the same time. The core language module in your second year will prepare you for your time abroad, equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to work and live in a different culture.
We provide accelerated learning in French, meaning that you can start from beginner's level if you have not done French A level. Regardless of which level you join the course at, you can expect to become confident and highly skilled in written and spoken French by the final year. Please check the entry requirements for more details on entry points.
Quick look entry requirements A Level ABB–BBB | IB 30–32 points overall
What will you study?
How much will it cost?
How much will it cost?
New UK/EU students: £9250* per year
New international students: £16070 per year
* UK and EU Fee Changes
Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.
Information on this page is based on 2018/19 figures and is likely to change slightly for 2019/20 entry. We will publish up-to-date information about 2019/20 entry as soon as it becomes available.
For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.
What are the fees for a placement year?
For Home/EU and International students entering in 2017/18, your placement year will be in 2019/20 and your fees will be 15% of full fee (subject to changes in the University’s Fees Policy).
If your study abroad is covered by the Erasmus scheme, please contact the Erasmus/Study Abroad team by emailing studyabroad@reading.ac.uk or this link.
Additional Costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
* UK and EU Fee Changes
Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.
The tuition fee will remain £9,000 per year for the full duration of this course if you start in the 2016/17 academic year or have accepted an offer but deferred your entry until the 2017/18 academic year. This is unlike other institutions who are planning to raise fees midway through courses.
For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.
Additional costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
What career can you have?
What career can you have?
By the time you graduate, you will be able to write and speak fluently in French – a big advantage given the current shortage of well-qualified linguists in the UK. The experience of studying or working abroad also distinguishes you from non-language graduates, providing evidence of self-reliance, adaptability and enterprise. The course also provides you with numerous transferable skills in research, clear and critical thinking, presenting and group working, which will prove useful in a wide range of careers.
Our graduates have an excellent record of gaining employment or progressing to further study. Recent graduates have gone on to careers ranging from translating, teaching and research (doctorates at Oxford and Queen Mary, University of London) to financial services (HSBC, Zurich Insurance), telecommunications (Vodafone), marketing, the fashion industry (Chanel), the international art business (Christie’s), and regional development (the Design Wales Project).