Degrees Offered

• BA Single Honours French (UCAS Code: R120)
• BA Joint Honours English and French (UCAS Code: QR31)
• BA Joint Honours French and History (UCAS Code: RV11)
• BA Joint Honours French and International Studies (UCAS Code: RLC2)
• BA Joint Honours French and Irish (UCAS Code: QR51)
• BA Joint Honours French and Politics (UCAS Code: RL12)
• BA Joint Honours French and Social Anthropology (UCAS Code: RL16)
• BA Joint Honours French and Spanish (UCAS Code: RR14)
• BSc (Econ) Major Honours Economics with French (UCAS Code: L1R1)
• BSc Honours Accounting with French (UCAS Code: N4R1)
• BSc Honours International Business with French (UCAS Code: N1R1)
• LLB Honours Common and Civil Law with French (UCAS Code: M2R1)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
French Studies
School of Modern Languages
T: +44 (0)28 9097 5365
E: french@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/french

Entrance Requirements

BA Requirements 

• A-level
  BBB including A-level French.
  AS-level French grade B would be acceptable in lieu of A-level French.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  B1B2B2B2CC/B1B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B1 in French.

Note: if the language is studied at a higher level then the grade indicated at that level will be required.

BA Joint, BSc and LLB Requirements
For BA Joint Honours the requirements are stated separately under each programme. For BSc and LLB requirements please refer to their course entries.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here

If you are an international student and you do not meet the English Language requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will develop the language skills you need to progress. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses. For a full list click here

The Subject

French is one of the major languages of global trade and of international relations. It is one of the official languages of the European Union, and is the official or administrative language in over 45 countries or regions worldwide. Studying French therefore offers an insight into the language and society of metropolitan France and opens up exciting vistas of cultures throughout the world.

At Queen's, French Studies reflects the dynamism and cultural diversity of the French-speaking world today. Students can explore a variety of contemporary issues, historical periods and geographical areas through a range of media including art, cinema, linguistics and literature. Our degrees cater for Beginners, AS-level and A-level students.

Course Content

Level 1
First-year is designed to enhance students' practical language skills and all students take two core language modules. Students of Beginners' French benefit from an intensive language course designed to bring them to A-level standard within a year. All other students take classes in comprehension, writing and translation, which focus on contemporary social and cultural issues and draw on authentic materials. Oral skills are highly valued, and most classes in Level 1 are taught through French.

Law with French students take a module entitled Le Français Juridique; AS and A-level students follow a module in Business French.

Optional modules (taken by students on the BA pathway) explore key issues in the modern French-speaking world, through a range of materials and approaches (visual, linguistic, literary). Joint Honours students take one optional module and Single Honours students take two.

Levels 2 and 3
Levels 2 and 3 provide the opportunity to expand the linguistic skills and cultural awareness developed in Level 1. In each, students take a compulsory core module comprising advanced language study and a choice of filières, or 'mini-modules'. The filières centre on intensive language study for ex-beginners (in Level 2), language for professional purposes (Legal French, Business French), or a variety of historical, cultural, linguistic and literary topics. Subjects on offer include: Algérie, Marginalités, Langue et pouvoir, La Phonétique du français, Paris, Migration et cultures and Image et Texte. Depending on their pathway, students can then choose from the range of optional modules, which include:

Caribbean Cultures
Contemporary French Travel Narratives
Francophone Chinese Writing
French Film Noir
Gender, Culture, Society
Linguistic Variation in French
Modern Autobiography in French
Modernism(s)
Myth and Biography
Symbolism
The Literature of War
The Orient in French Literature and the Visual Arts
The Structure of Modern French

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

BA French and Spanish: Further information on Teaching and Learning

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable our students to achieve their full academic potential.

On the BA in French and Spanish we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. The School of Modern Languages is the smallest School in the University and because of this we foster a supportive learning environment in which we get to know each of our students individually. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Seminars/tutorials:  Almost all of the teaching in Modern Languages is carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students) in English, French and Spanish.  These provide significant opportunities for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  Students should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups. Students in Modern Languages will typically attend two different types of seminars – one type focuses on written language skills (involving intensive work on developing linguistic competence, vocabulary, knowledge of grammar, comprehension and translation skills, essay-writing skills etc.), the other type is devoted to studying topics relating to the culture, literature, cinema, art, society, history or linguistics of the language studied. Students should expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

• Oral classes:  where you will have opportunities to develop oral skills and apply grammar and vocabulary in real-life, practical contexts. All these classes are taught in very small groups (typically 6-12 students) and are facilitated by native speakers.

• Lectures: are normally delivered in larger groups of approximately 40 students. They introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments. Only a few of our modules are delivered in this way.

• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example:  computer-based grammar learning packages in the Language Centre; interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes in project- based work and for presentations etc.

• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

• Year Abroad:  This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity during which you can study at university, work as an English-Language Teacher, or undertake a paid work placement etc. This feature of our degree programme gives students the opportunity for personal and professional development, further develops communication and language skills, and the experience of living abroad is important for developing intercultural awareness. After spending an academic year in either a French- or Spanish-speaking country, students will undertake a month-long intensive language course in the country of their other language.

• Personal Tutor:  You are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with you on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.  This gives you one identified contact to discuss any difficulties you might encounter and who can answer any queries you might have.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction. In level 1 language classes, you are assessed through a variety of language tasks (such as translation into English, translation into French and Spanish, comprehension, writing summaries etc.), in-class tests, language exams, and oral exams.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

Careers

Studying for a French and Spanish degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.  Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline.

The First Destination Survey showed that none of our language graduates were unemployed six months after graduating in 2010. A Higher Education Funding Council report for 2008 also showed that 3.5 years after graduation, languages students have the fourth highest mean salary (after graduates in Medicine, Pharmacy and Architecture).

Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in business, banking, education and translation, significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors.  The following is a list of the major career sectors (and some starting salaries) that have attracted our graduates in recent years:

Employer Links

Consultations

We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including, for example, Santander and the British Council who provide sponsorship for our year abroad placements as well as Rolls Royce, Price Waterhouse Coopers andMoy Park / MARFRIGwho are members of the employer liaison panel for the course. 

Placement Employers

Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as:

Graduate Careers and Achievements

Many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many famous figures; for example:

French:

• Kathy Clugston, Radio 4 presenter
• Edward Hughes, Professor of French, Queen Mary University of London
• Siobhan Lavery, Senior Sales executive, U105 radio station

Spanish

• Hilary Oliver, Managing Director, Cameo Productions
• Carla Leonard, Business Performance Manager, Barclays
• Nuala McKeever, Comedian
• Niall Donnelly, Reporter, UTV

The Prospects websiteprovides further information regarding the types of jobs that attract languages Graduates.

Further study is also an option open to French and Spanish graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics, as shown on the School of Modern Languages website.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plusinitiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plus in particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

Study Abroad/Placement: between Levels 2 and 3 students spend a period of residence in a French-speaking country. Most students have the possibility of acquiring valuable professional experience in a French-speaking company or school, and of gaining a work-based learning qualification. Those who choose to work as an English-language assistant can enrol for a TEFL qualification. Recent students have taught not only in France, but also in Martinique, La Réunion and Canada.

Support: students run a lively French society, and staff offer support through a personal tutoring system, a skills development programme, and a structured feedback framework, aimed at helping all students reach their potential.