French
Would you like to be able to chat with a winemaker in the Loire Valley? Discuss the menu with a waiter in a Parisian café? Frequent the Latin Quarter and talk about existentialism in the Café de la Sorbonne? Then learning French as part of a major in International Languages and Cultures is the ideal way to start.
French is one of the world's most important languages, being widely used in commerce and diplomacy. The role of France in European history and civilization means that French culture has an influence which extends all around the world. Including French in your university studies gives you many advantages:
- If you want to work overseas, knowledge of foreign languages and cultures is a bonus. English is not as universally recognised as you might think, and the ability to communicate in another language makes a big difference.
- If your career plans involve international marketing or hotel management, French is an asset. New Caledonia and French Polynesia are both near neighbours and trading partners, while further afield there are nearly fifty territories where French is an official language.
- If your future lies in the sciences, French will give you access to a huge number of professional journals and contacts in everything from agriculture to physics.
- People. You get to communicate with people, make friends and share ideas through language. Imagine being in a café in Paris with ten other people, each from a different land, each speaking French; only your language skills let you participate.
- Personal enrichment. A foreign language opens up new worlds, through culture, literature, films and so on.
- Experience. We are all to some extent afraid of what we do not know. That fear leads us to make biased judgements about strangers and foreigners. Learning another person's language opens our minds to understanding and to other cultures.
Key information
| Faculty: |
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Study French in these qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
- Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Arts
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Laws
- Master of Management Studies
- Master of Māori and Pacific Development
- Master of Philosophy
- Master of Science
- Master of Science (Research)
- Master of Science (Technology)
- Master of Social Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
French as a specialisation of
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
- Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Arts
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Laws
- Master of Management Studies
- Master of Māori and Pacific Development
- Master of Philosophy
- Master of Science
- Master of Science (Research)
- Master of Science (Technology)
- Master of Social Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
Career opportunities
- Diplomat
- Hospitality Operator
- International Lawyer
- Tour Guide
- Translator or Interpreter
- Travel Agent
Papers
Papers available within this subject
Available French papers
Prescriptions for the GradCert(Fren) and GradDip(Fren)
A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included French at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Office.
Prescriptions for the PGCert(Fren), PGDip(Fren), BA(Hons) and MA
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in graduate French papers, a student should normally have at least a B average in either the best three of their 300 level French papers or all their undergraduate French papers.
To complete a BA(Hons) in French, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research (normally FREN591) and at least 30 points from papers listed for French.
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MA in French, a student should have completed either:
a) a BA with a major in International Languages and Cultures: French pathway (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B+ average in either the best three of their 300 level French papers or all of their undergraduate French papers, or
b) a BA(Hons) in French (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B+ average across al 500 level papers.
Completion requirements for the MA in French vary according to admission criteria:
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including one of FREN501, FREN510 or FREN524, and either a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.
Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.
Students are advised to consult with the Convenor of French about their programme of study.
Prescriptions for the MPhil
The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
Prescriptions for the PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FRNCH131 | French for Beginners 1 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Students with no prior knowledge of French will acquire basic written and oral communicative skills for everyday situations, corresponding to level A1 of the Common European Framework of reference for Languages. | ||
| FRNCH132 | French for Beginners 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper develops the skills acquired in FRNCH131 and takes students to level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This is the appropriate entry point for students with two years' secondary school study of French. | ||
| INTLC101 | International Languages and Cultures | 19A (Hamilton) |
| A cultural perspectives paper with a thematic focus on China, France, Japan, Spain and Latin America | ||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FRNCH231 | French Language Intermediate 1 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Building on prior knowledge of French, this paper uses internet documents with a recent textbook. It takes students partway towards level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. | ||
| FRNCH232 | French Language Intermediate 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper extends knowledge of French acquired in FRNCH231 and takes students to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. | ||
| INTLC222 | European and Latin American Cultures: Tradition and Modernity | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores aspects of European and Latin American cultures, history and society. This paper is taught in English and is open to all students, including those who have no prior knowledge of French and Spanish. | ||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FRNCH317 | French Culture from Versailles to the Revolution | 19A (Hamilton) |
| A study of France's literary, social, and historical movements from the Golden Age of Versailles through to the Enlightenment and the Revolution it inspired. | ||
| FRNCH321 | Translation Methodology and Practice | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper applies translation theory, methodology and ethics to a variety of contexts including journalism and subtitling. | ||
| FRNCH331 | French Language Advanced 1 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper strengthens French language skills and introduces different registers such as formal and familiar French. It aims to take students to upper level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. | ||
| FRNCH332 | French Language Advanced 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper develops advanced French using extended study of current affairs dossiers in a journalistic context. It aims to take students part way towards level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. | ||
| FRNCH380 | Study Abroad: French Language Intensive | 19T (Block) |
| This paper will enable students who have passed the intensive suummer school course in French offered by the University of New Caledonia to credit this study to their degree. | ||
| FRNCH390 | Directed Study | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton) & 19S (Hamilton) |
| At the discretion of the relevant Programme Convenor, students undertake independent but guided research on a topic of the student's choice | ||
| INTLC380 | Study Abroad 1 | 19C (Block) |
| This paper will enable students to undertake appropriate individual study abroad programmes as part of their undergraduate degree. Each study programme should have a significant component of time spent offshore, with a series of assessments being agreed in advance with the paper convenor. | ||
| INTLC381 | Study Abroad 2 | 19C (Block) |
| This paper will enable students to undertake appropriate individual study abroad programmes as part of their undergraduate degree. Each study programme should have a significant component of time spent offshore, with a series of assessments being agreed in advance with the paper convenor. | ||
| INTLC382 | Study Abroad 3 | 19C (Block) |
| This paper will enable students to undertake appropriate individual study abroad programmes as part of their undergraduate degree. Each study programme should have a significant component of time spent offshore, with a series of assessments being agreed in advance with the paper convenor. | ||
| INTLC390 | Directed Study | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton) & 19Y (Hamilton) |
| At the discretion of the relevant Programme Convenor, students undertake independent but guided research on a topic of the student's choice | ||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FRNCH502 | A Topic in French Literature: Amelie Nothomb | 19A (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
| FRNCH510 | Advanced Methodology of Translation | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper involves an advanced translation project. | ||
| FRNCH524 | Special Topic | 19B (Hamilton), 19C (Hamilton) & 19Y (Hamilton) |
| Usually taken by the student on exchange at the University of Avignon, this paper involves research carried out in France. | ||
| FRNCH525 | Work Placement | 19C (Hamilton) |
| This paper enables students to gain work experience in a French organisation, most likely a school or university. | ||
| FRNCH590 | Directed Study | 19A (Hamilton) & 19B (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | ||
| FRNCH591 | Dissertation | 19C (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| FRNCH592 | Dissertation | 19C (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| FRNCH593 | French Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| FRNCH594 | French Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FREN800 | French MPhil Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| FREN900 | French PhD Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
My degree enabled me to get into the JET Programme and to obtain a working visa in Japan. Without it, I would not have been able to take up such a position.
Read stories from other students
Scholarships and prizes
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Exchange programme and study abroad
The University’s exchange agreements with France’s Université de La Rochelle and the University of New Caledonia allows students to study for a semester in France as part of their undergraduate degree.
The University’s exchange agreements with France’s Université de La Rochelle and the University of New Caledonia allows students to study for a semester in France as part of their undergraduate degree.
Students wishing to work in France, New Caledonia or Tahiti can take a break from their studies and spend a year in a French-speaking school as an English teaching assistant. Students need at least beginner's French to be eligible to apply. There is also an exchange with the University of Avignon in the South of France. These exchanges often lead to contacts and further employment in Europe.
Subject links
Subject Requirements
French is available as a pathway within the International Languages and Cultures major or as a supporting subject for the BA, as a specialisation (set out below), and as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.
French is available as a pathway within the International Languages and Cultures major or as a supporting subject for the BA, as a specialisation (set out below), and as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.
French pathway within International Languages and Cultures major
International Languages and Cultures is available as a major for the BA. International Languages and Cultures may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled. For full details see International Languages and Cultures major.
French language specialisation
Within the BA, BBA, BCS, BECom, BMS, BSocSc and BTour a French Language specialisation is available, and within the BSc and BSc(Tech) a specialisation in Science International in French is available. The focus of the specialisation is to provide students with the opportunity to develop language skills that might enhance their ability to compete in an increasingly global marketplace.
A specialisation in French for the BA and BSocSc requires 60 points above 100 level in French, made up of FREN231, FREN232 and FREN331.
The point of entry into the French programme depends on previous experience. Those with no previous experience of French take FREN131 and FREN132. Students normally take both papers in a single year and take FREN231 and FREN232 the following year. Students with some experience of French (Year 11 or equivalent) will begin with FREN132. Students with 14 credits at Level 3 NCEA French, or equivalent, will gain direct entry into FREN231. Students with excellent results at Level 2 NCEA French, or equivalent, may, at the discretion of the Convenor of French, begin with FREN231.
Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.
Documents
Contacts
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4932
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: fren-fass@waikato.ac.nz
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: fren-grad@waikato.ac.nz