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French Studies

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
University Park Campus

Course summary

This is the perfect course for Francophiles as it offers you the opportunity to spend four years immersing yourself in all things French. You’ll be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules covering subjects such as literature, thought, visual culture, history and translation.

In year three, you will spend time in a French-speaking country during your year abroad. This experience will develop your communication skills, widen your cultural understanding, build your confidence and help you stand out to future employers. You could teach English in a school, undertake a work placement, study at one of our partner universities – or even choose a combination of these options.

More than 300 million people speak French across all five continents and it is the official language of 29 countries. If you’re interested in discovering more about the rich history, politics and culture of France and the Francophone, this is the perfect degree for you.

Nottingham is one of the largest French sections in the UK and our lecturers are experts in their fields.

Why Choose This Course

  • Great teaching – 91% of students from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures said the teaching staff were good at explaining things (NSS 2024)

  • Wide module range – study all aspects of your French culture

  • Tailor the course to your interests or career aspirations through module selection

  • Increase your employability – open up job opportunities with foreign language skills

  • Year abroad – spend a year abroad immersing yourself in your chosen languages and cultures

  • A great track record – 85% of students from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures graduated with either a 1st or 2:1 in 2023

  • Top ten for French Studies in the UK – Daily Mail University Guide 2025

  • Explore real-world challenges across interdisciplinary themes with our ‘Engaged Arts’ optional modules

  • Work with our dedicated Faculty of Arts Placements Team to assist with your employability skills development via a range of placements, internships and volunteering opportunities

Engaged Arts
All students within the Faculty of Arts can select ‘Engaged Arts’ modules where you’ll approach real-world challenges across contemporary themes such as sustainability or equity and justice. These modules have been newly designed to help you gain the skills and analytical abilities that employers are looking for.

Beginners in French
Unfortunately, French Studies BA is not available as a single honours course to students who do not already have an A level in French. If you wish to study French as a beginner (or from GCSE), you can do so on our other courses:

  • Modern Languages

  • Modern Languages with Translation

  • Modern Languages with Business

  • English and Modern Languages

  • History and Modern Languages

  • International Media and Communications Studies and Modern Languages

  • Philosophy and Modern Languages

  • Economics with French

You can also access this course through a Foundation Year. This may be suitable if you have faced educational barriers and do not expect to meet the entry requirements for direct entry to a degree course. Please see the UCAS page for the relevant Foundation Year course for further information.

Subject options

This course offers the following subject options:

  • French Studies
  • French with Dutch

Modules

For detailed information about the modules you will study, please visit the course page: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/French-Studies-BA-Hons-U6UFRNCH.html

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
R120
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level ABB

Including French.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDD

Unfortunately we are unable to accept this qualification on its own due to the subject specific requirements at A Level. A Level French grade B required.

Access to HE Diploma D: 24 credits M: 21 credits P: 0 credits

Unfortunately we are unable to accept this qualification on its own due to the subject specific requirements at A Level. A Level French grade B required.

Scottish Higher ABBBB

This qualification is only acceptable when combined with Scottish Advanced Highers at grades AB including French.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DD

and A Level French grade B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Applications are assessed on an individual basis.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) D

and A Level grades BB including French.

Scottish Advanced Higher AB

Including French. This qualification is only acceptable when combined with Scottish Higher grades ABBBB.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 30 points

or 655 in 3 Higher Level Certificates including Higher Level 5 in French or Standard Level 6 in French (B Programme).

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales A - B

This qualification is considered alongside other UoN accepted qualifications such as A Levels. You must also have achieved A Level French grade B or above (or UoN accepted equivalent).

Extended Project A

If you have already achieved your EPQ at Grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject.

If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal D3, M2, M3

Including French.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English grade 4 (alpha grade C)

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) A

If you have already achieved your Core Maths qualification at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your Core Maths qualification you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your Core Maths qualification.

Core Maths qualifications offered by other exam boards are also considered for an alternative offer.

European Baccalaureate - 75% overall including at least 8.0 in French.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202526/undergraduate.aspx

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