Overview
Studying a modern language opens up a world of opportunities, and a French degree from the University of Stirling is designed with your future firmly in mind.
We focus on giving you in-depth knowledge not only of the language, but also of the factors that are shaping France and the wider French-speaking world today. This contemporary, all-encompassing approach means you’ll graduate with a true grasp of France’s place in the world and a deep understanding of the language’s ongoing evolution and reach. You’ll be qualified to apply this knowledge in a host of professional arenas – with former French graduates from Stirling having gone on to work in areas as diverse as journalism, teaching, law and translation. There’s no limit to what you can do with a second language, and the opportunity to spend an extended period studying abroad will further broaden your horizons.
Another advantage of studying French at Stirling is the flexibility of our degree programme. You can combine French with one of many other courses to further enhance your employability and pursue specific career goals from the outset. From Business Studies and Mathematics to Computing Science and Education (Secondary), our complementary subject choices are as unique as your ambitions.
Entry requirements
SQA Highers
ABBB
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree in French and Spanish, you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A level.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Students should note that taking two languages from beginners' level where those languages are core to the programme is pedagogically inadvisable. Any student wishing to go down that route will need the written permission of both the French and Spanish Programme Directors or their appointed representative before being allowed to do so.
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32
Essential subjects
French
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree in French and Spanish, you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A level.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above
Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree in French and Spanish, you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A level.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Advanced entry is not available for this course.
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
You can begin your French studies in either our advanced stream (for all students who have a Higher French or equivalent) or in our beginners’ stream. If you’re in the beginners’ stream, the focus is first and foremost on intensive language learning and on building written and spoken language skills across the first semesters of study. Students in our advanced stream study different aspects of the history, politics, and culture of the French-speaking world alongside weekly written and spoken language classes. The two teaching streams merge from semester 4 onwards.
In semesters 5-8, you will take core language modules in spoken and written French and choose specialisms in a range of modules. In most degree combinations that include French, semester 6 is a compulsory study abroad period – which is spent at a partner university in France, Switzerland, or Quebec.
If there are compelling reasons for which it is not possible for you to undertake semester 6 abroad, we strongly urge you to spend a minimum of four weeks in a French-speaking country, usually in a language school, or engage in any other activities discussed in advance and approved by your study abroad advisor. You should also seek advice from the International Office on grant availability but expect this minimum residence to be undertaken at your own expense and during vacation time.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
You will be taught through a variety of interactive lectures, workshops, tutorials, and small group language classes. The development of high-level language skills and cultural awareness is further encouraged by experienced native-language assistants and through using the latest language-learning software.
You’ll be assessed on the skills you’re learning in a range of ways, for example via translations, compositions in French, essays, presentations, blogs, grammar tests and oral exams (individual and group). Single Honours students will write a dissertation in their final semester on a topic of particular interest to them, working under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Students on many other degree combinations including French will have the option of writing a dissertation.
During your studies, you’ll spend a period of residence abroad - usually in Semester 6 - studying at a university or business school in France, Quebec, or Switzerland.
In addition, you will have the option to spend a year abroad between semesters 4 and 5 (typically as a language assistant teaching English in a school). This is a competitive scheme, organised through the British Council and does not replace the requirement for semester 6 Abroad where it is compulsory to a degree programme.
French at Stirling has exchange agreements with the Universities of Aix, Clermont-Ferrand, Geneva, Laval, Limoges, Nancy, Perpignan, Tours, Angers, and the Institut de Science-Politique (Paris, Dijon, Menton) – and with top-rated business schools such as ESSEC in Cergy-Pontoise, near Paris and the EMS in Strasbourg.
If there are compelling reasons for which it is not possible for you to undertake semester 6 abroad, we strongly urge you to spend a minimum of four weeks in a French-speaking country, usually in a language school, or engage in any other activities discussed in advance and approved by your study abroad advisor. You should also seek advice from the International Office on grant availability but expect this minimum residence to be undertaken at your own expense and during vacation time.
Professor Elizabeth Ezra, Course Director
Fees and funding
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Students who do not undertake Semester 6 Abroad will be required to fulfil our minimum residence requirement (usually 4 weeks spent in a French-speaking country, often at a language school). This minimum residence is undertaken at the student’s own expense and during vacation time.
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
As a language graduate, you’ll be a confident communicator with an ability to adapt well to new environments. The combined courses we offer with Professional Education enable you to train as either a primary or secondary teacher with a specialism in languages – which is an opportunity you may not find on other university French courses.
We also have a dedicated Faculty Employability and Skills Officer and a Careers Service that work in partnership with academic staff to ensure you get the best out of your University experience, and are given the right opportunities to make you ready for the world of work.
