English and French, BA (Hons)

This joint honours programme in English and French offers an engaging exploration of language, literature, and culture for those passionate about both subjects. Students divide their studies equally between the disciplines, examining parallels and contrasts throughout. In English, modules span drama, performance, applied linguistics, and literature from 1500 to the present, including medieval studies. For French, core language courses—starting from beginner or post-A level—advance to degree proficiency, complemented by modules on French and Francophone history, literature, politics, and linguistics. A year abroad in a French-speaking environment, such as a university exchange, school assistantship, or work placement, enhances language skills and provides international experience.The programme structures studies across four years, with 120 credits annually split evenly. Year one focuses on foundational modules, tailoring French language training to entry level while introducing broad English topics. Year two builds advanced French language preparation for the abroad year, alongside optional modules in French culture and English specialisations across at least two areas. The third year immerses students in France or a Francophone country. In the final year, all undertake advanced French language assessment and select specialised options, including a dissertation, while choosing English modules in multiple disciplines.

You will normally divide your study time equally between French and English, totalling 120 credits of modules per year. In year one, if you start with us as a beginner in French, you will work on a structured language programme to enable rapid progress. If you start at post-A level, your modules are geared to improve your French language skills, and you will take options in culture, politics and linguistics. In English, you will choose from wide-ranging modules which will give you a thorough grounding in the relevant areas and influence your studies in years two and four. Your core French language module in year two will prepare you for your year abroad. You will also be able to choose from a range of optional modules covering French literature, culture, history, politics and society. In English, depending on your module choices in your first year, you will choose three modules in your second year that cover at least two areas of study, allowing you to begin to focus your studies while still spanning the rich range of topics encompassed in the discipline. Your third academic year is spent in France or a Francophone country studying at one of our exchange universities, working as an assistant in a school, or working as a placement student. In year four everyone takes the same French language classes and is assessed at degree level in the language. You will also choose optional modules from the areas of French literature, history, politics, society and linguistics, with the option of writing a dissertation under expert supervision. In English you will choose optional modules across at least two of the main areas of the discipline.