French Studies (Certificate in Higher Education)
In this programme you will combine learning French to intermediate or advanced level with
study of aspects of the cultures of the French-speaking worlds. No previous knowledge of
French is required and you can start from beginners, intermediate or upper intermediate
level. So if you work in an international or multicultural setting, you'll feel much more
confident about your linguistic ability and your understanding of the cultures associated with
the language.
To gain the Certificate of Higher Education, you must successfully complete modules worth
120 credit points, comprising:
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2 compulsory language modules: either Stage 1 (Elementary) and Stage 2
(Intermediate); or Stage 2 (Intermediate) and Stage 3 (Upper Intermediate); or Stage
3 (Upper Intermediate) and Stage 4 (Advanced). (With the language modules you
should normally pass the lower-level module before enrolling on the next.)
1 compulsory culture module: Imagining France: An Introduction to French Studies.
1 option module, as appropriate, from Understanding Culture - Theories and Texts
(Level 4); or Approaches to Language (Level 4); or a Level 5 culture module worth 30
credits (depending on your language pathway).
The programme structure differs according to the language pathway that is followed (see
information below).
Programme Structure:
Depending on your fluency you will follow ONE of the programmes below:
Programme 1 : Language Pathway A (Beginners)
This programme enables students to enter as beginners and will take you up to an
intermediate level of French.
If you are an absolute beginner or only have an elementary level of French then you
will follow the programme structure specified below (90 credits at Level 4 and 30
credits at Level 5):
Year One
French 1 Beginners
(30 credits, Level 4)
Imagining France
(30 credits, Level 4)
Year Two
French 2 Intermediate
(30 credits, Level 4)
Level 5 option module (30
credits, Level 5)
(See below for options
available in 2015/16)
Programme 2: Language Pathway B (Intermediate)
This programme enables students to enter at intermediate level and will take you up
to an upper intermediate level of French.
If you are currently at an intermediate level in French then you will follow the
programme structure specified below (90 credits at level 4 and 30 credits at level 5):
Year One
French 2 Intermediate
(30 credits, Level 4)
Imagining France
(30 credits Level 4)
Year Two
French 3 Upper Intermediate
(30 credits, Level 5)
Understanding Culture OR
Approaches to Language
(30 credits, Level 4)
Programme 3: Language Pathway C (Upper Intermediate)
This programme enables students to enter at upper intermediate level and will take
you up to an advanced level of French.
If you are currently at an upper intermediate level in French then you will follow the
programme structure specified below (60 credits at Level 4 and 60 credits at Level 5):
Year One
French 3 Upper Intermediate
(30 credits, Level 5)
Imagining France (30
credits, Level 4)
Year Two
French 4 Advanced
(30 credits, Level 5)
Understanding Culture OR
Approaches to Language
(30 credits, Level 4)
Level 5 option modules (only for students following programme 1):
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The Twentieth Century: Key Themes in Comparative History (Level 5, 30 credits) – a
Culture module with materials taught in English.
French Cinema: History, Practice, Analysis (Level 5, 30 credits, taught in English)
Masterpieces of French Literature (Level 5, 30 credits, taught in English).
For a description of these modules, please consult the 2015-16 ‘French Content Module
Choices’ document, on the Department website: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/languages/currentstudents/undergradstudy
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