French Studies
The French Studies degree offers an in-depth, multidimensional knowledge not only of French language but also of French and francophone literature, culture, society, and politics.

The degree enables you to focus in-depth on studying the French language through and alongside the historical, cultural, geographical, and political contexts in which French is spoken across the world. You will cover topics spanning politics, philosophy, literature, visual culture and history. Wherever you decide your interests lie, you can tailor your programme of study in a way that suits you. Part-time students are integrated into our undergraduate programme for full-time students. You will be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary, research-active culture, playing an active part in your own learning. Having developed foundation skills in the first two years of the degree, you will hone your language abilities in subsequent years of study and explore your own academic interests beyond the language. You will consolidate your learning with time spent abroad.
All classes are taught in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.
Flexible entry requirements, consideration given for non-traditional qualifications, work and life experience. Applicants are normally interviewed by the course selector.
All applicants are required to have A-level French or an equivalent level of language.
While this degree offers flexibility, it is highly recommended that students complete 120 credits of Level 4 modules prior to Honours Level (5 and 6) study in order to prepare well for this.
The degree consists of 120 Level 4 credits followed by a further 240 Honours Level credits over subsequent years. The degree will take a minimum of four and a maximum of ten years to complete. Please note that the French department offers modules only during the day.
The degree also requires you to reside in France or in an approved French-speaking country for a total of at least four weeks by the end of your second year and a further six weeks by the end of your degree.
At Level 4, there are two core modules:
- French Language I
- The Story of Modern France
At Honours Level you will have to take two more core modules:
- French Language II
- French Language III
Up to two of the remaining six modules can be taken in other departments. We also have a number of cross-school modules open to you. The modules you take in French Studies can be full year-long modules or half-weighted termly modules which gives you a maximum amount of choice.
An indicative list of the modules offered at Honours Level include:
- Postcolonial Literatures in French;
- Literatures of the Great War;
- French Cinema;
- Modern French Thinkers;
- Prelude to Revolution;
- France and the World since 1945;
- The Right in France, from the Dreyfus Affair to Le Pen;
- Symbolism and Decadence in Fin-de-siècle Paris;
- Modern Masterpieces;
- Representations of the Holocaust;
- Paris and Modernity;
- Policing, Pacification, and Prisons: Coercive Governance in French Culture,
- History, and Thought from 1925 to the present;
- Modern Sexualities; Slavery and After: Writing the Francophone Caribbean;
- The Left and the Trade Unions in France;
- French Cinema and Society from 1990 to the present;
- Politics and Violence in Modern France;
- Animals in Medieval Literature;
- Anarchist Culture in Belle Epoque Paris;
- Occupation: Everyday life in Vichy France 1940-1944.
You can find out more about the modules available here
The degree is designed to be fully supportive to those who are new to university study, whatever your age. There are a variety of assessments and these may include coursework assignments, formal examinations, presentations and research projects. You can study between one and three 30 credit modules per year. You can expect to commit to around 10 hours a week for each module you take, which includes contact time and independent study. Tutors are experts in their field and have extensive teaching experience, including working with adult learners. Throughout your degree programme you will be provided with considerable support and guidance.
Your progress will be tracked through language assignments, essays, presentations, portfolio submissions and examinations (written and oral). Throughout your course you will receive detailed, personalised feedback to help you to improve your skills. The final degree classification is determined by your marks for intermediate- and final-year module.
Applications for 2020/21 are now closed.
The University will charge Home students £1,540 for each 30 credit module in 2020-21. Fees for subsequent years of the course have yet to be confirmed.
See Student fees and funding for more information and view potential additional fees.
The University of Warwick is not currently sponsoring students on part time or distance learning courses with a Tier 4 visa and so if you require a visa to study a part time/distance learning course in the UK which is longer than 6 months, you may wish to consult the 'right to study' page on our Student Immigration & Compliance website: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/international/immigration/othervisas/whatvisa before you make an application.
Classes are on located on Main Campus, The University of Warwick. Times dependent on modules taken; please contact us for more details
*The modules mentioned above may be subject to change.
Students’ linguistic abilities in the language/s chosen for study will be assessed on arrival at Warwick. Should your linguistic ability prove too advanced for certain language modules, you may be required to substitute other modules for these core modules. Any substituted modules will reflect the nature of your chosen programme of study and be of an appropriate level; you will be informed of which alternative modules are available to you. Please note that, should a variation to core language modules be required, the final decision on which modules you will take will reside with the SMLC.
Please read our terms and conditions for more detailed information and our Conditions of Offer document for more information on when you accept a place with the University.
Applications for 2020/21 are closed
Key facts
Starts: September 2021
Level: Undergraduate
Length: Four- Eight Years
(Part-time)
Venue: University of Warwick
Finance information
See our finance information page for more information regarding financing your studies.
Have a look at our funding scenarios to see what support might be available for prospective students.
Success Stories
"I felt very brave. I have found it challenging but I would encourage anyone to do it. Warwick University has great facilities and support for students of all ages and disciplines which I look forward to sharing with all those I meet."
Emma, current Part-time student