French degree (BA)

• 240-260 points normally including French at A2-level
• We consider mature students on individual merit.

Please also read our Entry Requirements section.

For joint honours degrees you should also look at the entry requirements for your other chosen subject.

• Bangor’s School of Modern Languages consistently ranks amongst the highest rated schools in its subject area in the National Student Survey.
• Our size means that we offer learning on a human scale, in small classes, where you get to know the staff and your fellow students.
• At the same time, our very large and varied range of option modules enables you to tailor your degree to your personal needs.
• Some options are taught through the medium of French, others through English.
• Bangor's Modern Language graduates have a very good track record in gaining employment.
• Degree structures are flexible, allowing you to change your degree at the end of year 1 if you wish.

This section provides an outline of the content of this French BA (Hons) course. Each year you'll study a series of modules, some of these are compulsory and others can be selected from a range of optional modules.

In addition to language the French syllabus on this French degree includes a broad range of stimulating options; by doing single honours you will have the opportunity to cover more or less the full range. First-year courses of our French degree comprise introductions to the history, culture, cinema, and literatures of Europe. Second- and final-year options offer increasing levels of specialisation as you proceed towards your degree. They cover a wide variety of cultural and literary material from the Romantic Period to the present day, with emphasis on the modern period, aspects of French history, French cinema, and the media.

Residence Abroad:
The third year of this French degree is spent in a French-speaking country. Your main options are:

• A paid work placement as an English assistant in schools. Our students have an excellent track record in getting their first choice of placement, whether in France or another country such as Belgium or Canada.
• Study at one of our Erasmus partner universities, which include:
  Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3, Lyons, France
  Université Toulouse le Mirail, Toulouse 2, France
  Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
  Université Charles-de-Gaulle, Lille 3, France
  Université de Corse, Corsica, France
  Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, Martinique, French West Indies
  Université de Mons-Hainaut, Belgium
  Université de Lausanne, Switzerland
• An approved work placement.

In each case you also complete a dissertation whilst abroad, which counts towards your Bangor degree.

Modules our students are currently studying...

If you'd like a closer look at the content of the modules our current students are studying this year please click on the links below;

French degree (BA/F4)

• Year 1 modules
• Year 2 modules
• Year 4 modules

* Please note that due to the dynamic nature of our degree programmes specific topics of study/modules are occasionally subject to change.

For more on studying degree courses see our Study at Bangor section.

You will have 3-4 hours of language classes each week plus classes in your other chosen modules. Tuition is mainly in small groups and there are few formal lectures.

Assessment involves coursework and written and oral examinations. You will also complete a dissertation as part of your degree.

You can study French as a Joint Honours Degree with one of the following subjects (see Single or Joint Honours for explanation): Accounting, Banking, Business Studies, Creative Studies, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Economics, English, English Language, Film Studies, German, History, Italian, Linguistics, Management, Marketing, Music, Philosophy and Religion, Physical Education, Spanish, Sport Science, Welsh. Please see Joint Language Honours, Another Subject plus a Modern Language (Arts and Social Science Subjects) or Another Subject plus a Modern Language (Business-Related Subjects) for further information.

Catherine Talbot, from Plymouth, Devon is in her third year studying BA French/German at Bangor University.

How did you hear about Bangor and why did you choose to study here?

I’d never heard of little Bangor before I received a leaflet in the post. I thought “where?” I went to the Open Day, travelling through the mountains on the way there, which was a first plus! Then when I was at the Open Day everyone was so informal and relaxed and happy, and as a “country lass” I loved that there was the Snowdonia national park nearby. It was instantly my first choice. 

Have you been on any placements or taken a year abroad?

I’m presently in Belgium on my second semester of being abroad! Last semester I was in Passau, Bavaria, which was amazing. I didn’t think there would be so many cultural differences between Britain and Germany. I’d highly recommend to anyone to go visit a local beer festival, because it was brilliant. A room full of Bavarians in Dirndls and Lederhosen dancing on tables drinking massive amounts of beer to 99 Luftballons… Who couldn’t enjoy that?!

Tell us about your course - what's the best thing about it?

Well, obviously the best thing for any language student is the year abroad! But in Bangor I love how informal all the lectures are, and because we’re a pretty small department you’ll get to know everyone in time, even if you’re never in the same classes.

What’s been the highlight of the course for you so far?

I’ve really enjoyed how flexible the course has been. I’ve taken modules in Japanese and Dutch which were both wonderful. I also took German literature and Music and words - for something different! Also, we’re on the top floor so we have the best views!

What's the best thing about living in Bangor?

Well Bangor’s just about small enough that you can’t possibly go out during the day without seeing someone you know. Especially living in student accommodation on Ffridd site in the first year, it was great, like having a student village… and everything’s only ten minutes away. Plus we have the student shop that’s open 24/7, so you ever run out of milk/toilet roll/alcohol at 2 in the morning, you’re saved!

Tell us about any clubs and societies you’re involved with and what it involves.

The best thing about Bangor’s clubs is the Fair we have in Fresher’s week. I remember when I was a fresher my friend and I went around signing up for loads of things! I tried canoe polo (and I really sucked at it!) and now I’ve had that experience. I was also in the dramatics society last year and performed in the Lord of the Flies. Acting was something I’d never tried before and it was surprisingly great fun, especially watching as everything came together. I also regularly went out with Greener Gwynedd, going on weekends out to do some gardening and a massive litter pick up in Snowdon, which was great. For those without a car it’s a great way to see the surrounding natural areas whilst meeting some lovely people.

What will you miss most about Bangor when you leave?

Picnics at Roman Camp! All the pretty views, and of course all the friends I’ve made whilst I’ve been here. We’ve all tried to visit one another whilst we’ve been abroad, and I know that friends who’ll travel across countries to see you are absolute keepers.

What are your plans for the future?

After Uni I’m hoping to teach English as a foreign language in Japan. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m looking forward to the culture shocks! Bring on the sushi!

Studying Modern Languages opens the door to a wide variety of careers. Many Bangor Modern Languages graduates have, of course, gone into teaching and translating, but just as many have embarked upon successful careers in the civil service, business and commerce, industry and the media. The skills you learn whilst studying languages - cultural awareness, communication, accuracy, planning and logical analysis - are valued highly by employers from all sectors of the economy.

• French BA (Hons)
• French with Another Subject BA (Hons)
• German BA (Hons)
• German with Another Subject BA (Hons)
• Italian and Another Subject BA (Joint Hons)
• Joint Language Honours
• Spanish BA (Hons)
• Spanish with Another Subject BA (Hons)
• Three Language Honours (French, German, Italian, Spanish)
• Another Subject plus a Modern Language (Arts and Social Science Subjects)
• Another Subject plus a Modern Language (Business-Related Subjects)