BA French Studies (decelerated, six-year programme)
Levels of Attainment
All BA degree programmes taught within Birkbeck conform to a pattern of twelve modules (to
the total value of 360 credits). Each module is normally assigned a value of 30 credits
(although there are also half-units valued at 15 credits) and is assigned to one of three levels
of attainment, and each programme is divided into a set number of modules at each level.
Level 4 (Certificate) –These modules are ‘zero-weighted’, i.e. they do not count towards a
degree result, but must be passed
Level 5 (Intermediate) –These modules are ‘single-weighted’, i.e. each counts once towards
the degree result
Level 6 (Honours) These modules are ‘double-weighted’, i.e. each counts double towards a
degree result)
Introduction to BA French Studies
This programme is designed to allow students to develop a high level of linguistic
competence and a broad understanding of the culture of the French-speaking world. It
embraces the study of literature from the sixteenth century to the present day, as well as
aspects of the history, philosophy and culture of French-speaking peoples.
You will take 12 modules in total, a number of which will be language modules. You will
follow a specific language pathway depending on your language starting level.
You can start the programme at any language level from beginners to native or near-native
speaker level. All students will reach the degree exit level (French 5) on completion of the
programme. Language progression is as follows:
CAS
level
Beginner
1
4
32 weeks
x 3 hours p/week
96 GCSE
A2
(Elementary)
GCSE or
equivalent
2
4
32 weeks
x 3 hours p/week
96 AS level
B1
(intermediate)
AS/A-level or
equivalent
3
5
29 weeks
x 3 hours p/w
87 A-level+
B2 (Upper
intermediate)
A-level+ or
equivalent
4
5
29 weeks
x 3 hours p/w
87 Post A-Level
C1
(Advanced)
Post A-level or
equivalent
5
6
24 weeks
x 3 hours p/w
72
C2**
(Proficiency)
Duration
Contact
hours
Exit level - English
qualifications*
CEFR exit level
Stage
Entry level
438
*A rough equivalence only is provided here.
Alongside your language modules you will take ‘Content’ modules at Levels 4, 5 and 6.
These can be chosen from a broad range of modules in French literature, film, thought,
history and contemporary culture and society. You can also take a range of ‘Culture’
modules (where the focus is on the culture of more than one language area) and you can
take up to two modules from other degree subjects. In the final year, you have the option
doing an independently researched Dissertation as one of your modules (Mémoire en
français).
One or two courses with a strong language focus at an advanced level (e.g. Translation from
and into French, Level 6) are offered each year. In addition to this, for students at higher
language levels, the language programme will be supported by the provision of a number of
content courses taught in French (usually at Level 6). Please see the 2015-16 French
content and Culture module options handbooks (http://www.bbk.ac.uk/languages/currentstudents/undergradstudy ) for details of which modules are on offer at each level in 2015-16,
and a description for each of them.
For the BA French Studies programme, a minimum of EIGHT modules (including language
modules) must normally relate to French language or culture.
Programme Structure & Module Choices
Minimum language entry level: complete beginners.
Structure:
The number of modules you take at each level varies according to your language pathway:
Pathway A
Pathway B
Pathway C
Pathway D
Pathway E
Language 1
(Level 4)
Language 2
(Level 4)
Language 3
(Level 5)
Language 4
(Level 5)
Language 5
(Level 6)
Language stage pathways A and B:
3 (Level 4) + 4 (Level 5) + 5 (Level 6)
Language stage pathways C to E:
2 (Level 4) + 5 (Level 5) + 5 (Level 6)
You will take two modules (60 credits) in each year.
Sample progression routes (Language pathways A and C – other pathways are also
possible):
Language
Pathway A
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Year Four
Year Five
Year Six
Language modules (core)
Content modules
French 1 (Level 4)
French 2 (Level 4)
French 3 (Level 5)
French 4 (Level 5)
French 5 (Level 6)
Option (Level 6)
Imagining France (Level 4)
Option (Level 5)
Option (Level 5)
Option (Level 6)
Option (Level 6)
Option (Level 6)
Language
Pathway C
Year One
Year Two
Language modules (core)
Content modules
French 3 (Level 5)
French 4 (Level 5)
Year Three
Year Four
Year Five
Year Six
French 5 (Level 6)
Option (Level 5)
Option (Level 6)
Option (Level 6)
Imagining France (Level 4)
Understanding Culture (Level
4) OR Approaches to
Language (Level 4)
Option (Level 5)
Option (Level 5)
Option (Level 6)
Option (Level 6)