French
Why study 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.
At undergraduate (Bachelors) level, a French specialisation is offered through a major in International Languages and Cultures.
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.
Note: Enrolment into the PGCert, PGDip, BA(Hons) and MA in French will be suspended from 2022.
Career Opportunities
- Diplomat
- Hospitality Operator
- International Lawyer
- Tour Guide
- Translator or Interpreter
- Travel Agent
- Teacher
Study French in these qualifications
Subject Requirements
Study French as a specialisation of the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Global Studies
French is available as a pathway within the International Languages and Cultures major or as a minor for the BA or the BGS, and as a minor within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
International Languages and Cultures major with a specialisation in French
International Languages and Cultures is available as a major for the BA and the BGS and may also be taken as a second major or as a minor within other undergraduate degrees. A major in International Languages and Cultures with a specialisation in French requires 135 points, and students must complete FRNCH131, FRNCH231, FRNCH232, FRNCH331, FRNCH332.
For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information.
French in other majors
To complete a minor in French, students must complete FRNCH231, FRNCH232, and two other papers in French or International Languages and Cultures
Entry
The point of entry into the French programme depends on previous experience. Students with no knowledge of French should take FRNCH131, Students with 14 credits at Level 3 NCEA French, or equivalent, will gain direct entry into FRNCH232. Students with excellent results at Level 2 NCEA French, or equivalent, may, at the discretion of the Convenor of French, begin with FRNCH232.
If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4080 or email: alpss@waikato.ac.nz
Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.
Scholarships and prizes
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 trimester 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. These exchanges often lead to contacts and further employment in Europe.