Department of French and Francophone Studies

French is one of the major world languages. It is spoken as a first or second language by over 300 million people worldwide, and is an official language in 29 countries (la Francophonie). It is a key working language of the UN and the European Union, and is the language of many major literary, philosophical and political works both within and beyond the Western world. The Department of French and Francophone Studies provides access to this rich history and cultural diversity. Our graduates work in fields as diverse as international relations and trade, journalism, IT, teaching, law, medicine, the arts and entertainment industry as well as a range of international NGOs.

We provide three pathways to a French major (Introductory; Intermediate; Advanced), each offering you the language and cultural expertise to fully engage with the French and Francophone world. You have the opportunity to participate in an exchange program at a leading university in France, Switzerland or Canada. During your semester or year away, you can enhance your language skills and deepen your understanding of French and Francophone culture. In our teaching and research, we specialise in literature, film, socio-linguistics and contemporary society. The broad range of cultural units we offer will enable you to engage with real world issues across disciplines and cultures, thus enhancing your career opportunities in the 21st century.