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French and Theatre Studies BA

Undergraduate

Year abroad

Start date

27 September 2027

Study location

University of Warwick

Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

School of Modern Languages & Cultures

Duration

4 years full-time, normally including a year abroad

Course overview

This joint degree allows you to develop an in-depth knowledge of French language and francophone culture while exploring the world of Theatre and Performance Studies. You will benefit from the full range of expertise on offer in both departments, including language, cultural and translation modules in Modern Languages, and Theatre and Performance modules in historiography, national theatre cultures, and the impact of performance in public discourse. French can be taken from Beginner, Post-Beginner or Advanced level.

You will graduate as a highly qualified linguist, with advanced intercultural skills and a sophisticated understanding of key concepts and debates in two Arts disciplines. The specialist communication, research, critical, creative and evaluative skills you will gain are all highly sought after by employers.

Modern Language students talking to each other

French and Theatre Studies is a joint degree, equally weighted between both disciplines and studied in both departments. You will graduate from this course with specialist knowledge and skills in the theatre, and as a highly qualified linguist with advanced intercultural skills. You will have a deep understanding of French-speaking cultures, and a multifaceted knowledge of the study of theatre.

French can be taken from Beginner, Post-Beginner or Advanced level.

A French and Theatre Studies degree will allow you to combine two specialisms. Firstly, you will be able to develop and refine your skills as a linguist through a programme of modules exploring the French language and the culture, history and politics of France and the Francophone world. Alongside this, you will pursue your interests in theatre, with core and optional modules on topics including historiography, theatre in European and African contexts, applied theatre, and playwriting. You benefit from the full range of expertise on offer in both departments and will be able to explore the synergies between the two subject areas.

French at Warwick enables you to collaborate with academic specialists to develop your language skills and intercultural competence. Together, we will examine the historical, cultural, geographical, and political contexts in which French is spoken across the world. The flexible course covers cultural topics such as philosophy, literature, politics, history, linguistics, media and film. Core language modules develop an in-depth understanding of the French language and its links to the cultural contexts where it is spoken, and you can then choose optional modules to develop your academic interests.

Theatre and Performance Studies at Warwick takes pride in its national and international reputation for research and teaching excellence. As a student, you will be taught by world-leading scholars, industry professionals and artists who are as passionate about the power of theatre and performance as you are. You will explore how drama, theatre and performance are used to share stories, to laugh, to feel, to understand more deeply, and to change things. Beyond the course, you will be encouraged to see work and get involved at Warwick Arts Centre, one of the largest multi-artform venues in the UK, and join one of the many award-winning performance-based student societies.

Your second or third year is normally spent abroad, either as a language assistant, working, or studying at one of our partner universities. This is an invaluable opportunity to immerse yourself in the linguistic and cultural contexts where French is spoken, enhance your language skills and build international connections.

You will have access to outstanding facilities and resources. This includes flexible collaborative and individual learning spaces, as well as a vast selection of print, digital and multimedia learning materials.

You will finish your degree as a proficient, internationally mobile linguist with a deep understanding of Francophone cultures, and an advanced knowledge of theatre and performance.

Entry requirements

Modules

In your first year, you will take language classes to develop your knowledge and understanding of written and spoken French. You will also take the core module, ‘The Story of Modern France’. This module examines primary sources from major periods and events in French history, literature, and contemporary politics. You will also study two core Theatre Studies modules, which will introduce you to key concepts and practices in theatre and performance studies.

Having acquired fundamental skills in your first year, you will go on to develop your linguistic and cultural expertise the intermediate and final years. As well as taking core modules, you will be able to pursue your own interests beyond the language. In SMLC, our modules reflect the research specialisms of academics in the French department and cover a broad range of subjects in French and Francophone culture, society, literature, politics, philosophy, film and history.

In Theatre Studies, you will take core modules that explore both the theoretical and the practical aspects of Theatre and Performance Studies, enabling you to develop a nuanced understanding of different approaches. After the first year, you will be able to choose modules that reflect your own interests in Theatre and Performance, developing your own specialist knowledge and expertise. Areas of research expertise in the department include applied and community theatre, theatre history, theatre in specific national contexts, representations of gender and sexuality, theatre and mental health, and practices of writing, acting and directing.

You can also opt to study some of our interdisciplinary cross-School modules, including modules in Translation Studies.

You can choose to spend your year abroad studying at a university in a French-speaking country, or on a British Council Assistantship or a work placement.

Note that the module catalogue is subject to change for future years of study, as we evolve our courses in response to the latest developments in academia and industry.

Fees and funding

Teaching and learning

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