Studying French at Royal Holloway

New for 2013 - BA in French (3 years: London/Paris|)

Exploring the extraordinarily rich fiction, cinema, art and languages of France and Francophone countries with world-class experts at Royal Holloway offers a unique opportunity to develop invaluable critical and communication skills, cross-cultural understanding and language proficiency.

From Brussels to Strasbourg, the French language plays a major role in Europe. On the developing world stage, countries from Africa and the Pacific to Canada point to a vibrant future for Francophone studies. French is also, of course, a language steeped in history. It has long been linked to politics and diplomacy, while the contemporary influence of French cinema, fashion, architecture, technology and design stems from its rich cultural tradition in literature, music, philosophy and the visual arts.

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 complement your communicative abilities - in both English and French. A degree in French prepares you for a very wide range of career options both in the UK and beyond. Employers particularly value the adaptability and awareness of cultural difference possessed by graduates of French. Past students are now employed in areas as diverse as public relations and marketing, the media, journalism, information technology, law, accountancy, translation and teaching, often making use of their language skills. Some now work overseas using contacts made during their third year, which students may spend in France, Canada, the Caribbean or Francophone Africa. 

Royal Holloway’s campus near London puts cultural resources - French cinema, art collections, theatre, specialised bookshops - on your doorstep. Royal Holloway boasts one of the largest groupings of leading French scholars in the University of London, their work covering all the major periods from medieval times to the present. The Times Good University Guide 2009 placed us 6th in the UK, and we achieved an excellent score of 21 in the last Teaching Quality Assessment. Our teaching is always informed by our exciting, cutting-edge research. We are, above all, a friendly, supportive department keen to help our students realise their full potential.