About French and Arabic, BA - at University of Exeter
French at Exeter combines teaching of the language with optional modules on French culture and society. Our basic philosophy is to ensure broad academic coverage with maximum choice. You can select from a wide variety of modules in most areas of French Studies: cultural studies from the Middle Ages to the present; literature and the visual arts; film; linguistics; gender and sexuality studies. Many of these areas may be new to you, but we find that our students rise exceptionally well to the challenge of broadening their intellectual horizons. The flexibility of French Studies at Exeter means that you can decide to pursue a broad-based programme of study that includes modules taken from several of the areas mentioned above, or that you can specialise in one or two pathways.
Your first year will introduce you to the areas outlined above while a further module will give you a grounding in French culture and society through the ages, to help inform your choices for years 2 and 4. In your third year, you’ll have the opportunity to live in a French-speaking country, working as a language assistant in a school, studying at one of our partner universities or working for a French company (we have strong links with prestigious French businesses).
As far as language work is concerned, you will be expected to become proficient in various spoken and written communication skills, including translation. You can be confident of graduating with excellent spoken French, through frequent contact with our team of native speakers and you will have access to the state-of-the-art facilities in the newly refurbished Foreign Language Centre. You will also be able to join the French Society, organised by undergraduate students, and enjoy the varied programme of talks, films, drama and social activities that they arrange.
We are an enthusiastic and energetic department whose internationally renowned research feeds directly into a diverse and stimulating teaching programme. With over 500 undergraduates, French is the largest constituent part of the Department of Modern Languages; more than 20 lecturers are involved in the delivery of language and culture modules.
Whether you choose to study French on its own – in which case you may opt to take some credits in other languages – or in combination with another subject, you will have the opportunity of graduating with a degree that is highly attractive to employers, who value the linguistic and analytical skills as well as the cultural flexibility and adaptability that a degree involving Modern Languages brings.
