To study French is to discover a beautiful and dynamic language shaped by history, culture and politics. It is also to encounter a vital European nation and a vibrant multicultural society undergoing enormous change.
The extraordinary influence of contemporary French cinema, fashion, architecture, technology and design stems from France's rich cultural tradition. French is also a global language: Francophone countries across Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas play a central role on the world stage.
As a student of French at Royal Holloway you are within easy reach of London, France's 'sixth biggest city' with its wealth of French cultural resources (art collections, cinemas, institutes, specialised bookshops).
You will also be part of a stimulating and supportive academic community led by a team of dedicated and enthusiastic lecturers whose teaching is informed by cutting-edge research.
By studying French as part of one of our degrees you will be inspired to develop skills and passions that are not only personally and intellectually enriching, but also invaluable in the global marketplace.
Why you should study French at Royal Holloway
Degree combinations
You can study French as a beginner or as an advanced learner, as part of BA Modern Languages or as an element of Comparative Literature and Culture (CLC), or Liberal Arts. French can also be studied as part of a Joint Honours course alongside subjects including CLC, Drama, English, History, History of Art and Visual Culture, Music, Management, and Politics and International Relations. We also offer French as a minor subject with Law or Music.
Course units
Studying French means engaging not only with the language, but also with French and Francophone cultures more broadly. Alongside your language classes, you will have the chance to study translation and deepen your knowledge of French literature, film and history.
There is a great range of topics to study, from Medieval epics to 17th-century theatre, 19th-century novels and poetry, 20th-century visual art, DADA, cinema and photography, French thought and philosophy, gender, food and consumption.
Find out more about our programmes
Your year abroad: work, study, teach
The third year of the degree programme is the Year Abroad and you can choose to spend it either working or studying at one of our many partner universities in France, Belgium and Réunion! Whether you decide to work in a large company in Paris, study in Lyon, or teach English in a small village in Provence, the year abroad will provide an unmissable opportunity to improve and rapidly hone your language, as well as help you develop valuable personal and professional skills.
