French with Mathematics (BA)

While French normally requires a minimum B grade at A2 level, the department will consider applications from students presenting an A grade in the language at AS level.

Applicants come from a diverse range of backgrounds and we accept a broad range of qualifications. Special consideration will be given to mature applicants, and we are happy to consider applicants with other qualifications, including QAA-approved Access to HE courses.

Students from overseas should visit the International| pages for further information on the entry requirements from their country and English language requirements.  Royal Holloway International offers an International Foundation Programme and English language pre-sessional courses, allowing students the opportunity to develop their study skills and English language before starting their undergraduate degree.

We make decisions based on achieved or predicted grades, personal statements and references. More information on how your application will be assessed, and tips for your personal statement can be found on our Applying| pages.

 

• You will be studying at a top-ranking languages department with an outstanding research record.
• In-depth study of French not only enables you to appreciate how and why the present continues to be shaped by the past, but also the intellectual skills of analysis and argument you develop during the course will complement your communicative abilities — in both English and French.
• The School of Modern Languages offers excellent quality equipment and dedicated language learning facilities.
• This course will give you the opportunity to enhance your career prospects by advancing your mathematical skills while studying French.
• We have strong links with major universities in metropolitan France as well as Belgium, Switzerland and La Réunion.

Each year you will take three course units in French and one in Mathematics.  

The French course is structured around core course units in spoken and written language in each year spent on campus. Additional language course units including translation are taken by specialist (single and major French) students. Language course units exploit film resources and computer programmes designed by the department, with language laboratories, satellite television and internet available all day for personal study.

In the first year, optional course units introduce key areas such as history, linguistics, politics, literature, theories of communication, cinema and the visual arts, which equip students with foundational knowledge, critical tools and skills. By the final year, the range of course units allows students to specialise in aspects of particular interest.

In Mathematics you will take core studies in number systems and matrix algebra in the first year. In the second and final year you can choose from a wide range of subjects such as vector analysis and fluids, mathematical programming and probability.

Throughout the course, you will:

• learn to converse and write confidently in contemporary French
• analyse and critique French materials in a wide variety of media
• take advantage of excellent quality equipment and dedicated language learning facilities
• advance your key mathematical skills.

All undergraduate degree courses at Royal Holloway are based on the course unit system. This system provides an effective and flexible approach to study, while ensuring that our degrees have a coherent and developmental structure.  In the case of combined degree courses, this approach also makes it possible to change the balance of your subjects during your time at Royal Holloway.

The websites of the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures| and the Department of Mathematics| give detailed lists of the course units taken for each different subject.

View the full course specification for French with Mathematics (BA) in the Programme Specification Repository|.

The course has a modular structure, whereby students take 14 course units at the rate of four per year in years 1, 2 and 4, and two units during the year abroad. Some course units are compulsory while others are elective thereby offering flexibility and choice. Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and end-of-year examination in varying proportions, depending on the course units you choose to take.

The first year is foundational and marks do not count towards your final degree. The second year, year abroad and final year marks do count, with more importance being given to the final year marks in order to reward progress and achievement.

The School offers rigorous degree courses and valuable transferable skills which will prepare you for a broad range of careers. Our graduates are highly employable and, in recent years, have entered many different language-related fields including international management, consultancy, sales and marketing, media and publishing, banking, the arts, politics, the Civil Service, teaching, travel and tourism, translating and interpreting.

Britain’s membership of the European Union and today’s increasingly globalised economy and labour market make a knowledge of languages a great professional asset anywhere in today’s world.