1. Handbook
  2. Bachelor of Arts
  3. Majors, Minors and Specialisations
  4. French Studies

French Studies

Bachelor of ArtsMajorYear: 2026

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Overview

French is one of the world's major international languages: it is spoken by over 200 million people in 43 countries, on five continents. Knowledge of French may increase access to careers in international relations, development studies, business, science and the arts.

The overall objective of the French Studies program is to teach students to process information from a wide variety of materials in French, both written and spoken, and to produce accounts and discussions of that information in a variety of forms. In subjects at all levels, you will be guided towards undertaking independent research projects into areas including language, literature, politics, cinema, theatre, travel writing, food and wine, immigration and identity.

The core subjects in French are organised in a progressive sequence from French 1 through to French 7. Entry and exit points are determined by the French Studies program based on the student’s background in the language, placement testing or prerequisites. Students normally progress through the subjects in consecutive order. Mid-year entry is also possible into subjects with even numbers, subject to appropriate prior experience and approval from the head of the French program. Accelerated progression is possible on advice from the French Program.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this major, students should be able to:

  • Interpret a range of different genres relevant in French and Francophone social and cultural contexts
  • Communicate effectively in a variety of oral and written formats, comprehending and producing French discourse with fluency (relative to entry level) and appreciate its cultural contexts
  • Specialise in at least one of the three core areas of French and Francophone literature, linguistics, cinema and cultural studies
  • Apply relevant research and analytical skills combined with a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
  • Appreciate French and Francophone cultures in a differentiated and informed way
  • Engage critically and to constructively in intercultural dialogue as a bi/multicultural and bi/multilingual person and as a global citizen
  • Independently apply a wide range of learning techniques (in French and English) as autonomous, motivated, self-directed and well-organised learners
  • Act confidently in French-speaking milieus and target cultures, and work effectively in a cooperative way using French and English as media.

Last updated: 6 November 2025