There are more than 220 million French speakers in the world today, on all five continents, and that number is set to rise to over 600 million by 2050. French is one of the most important global languages for diplomacy, business, media, tourism and the creative industries. It is also an official language of the UN, EU, NATO, IOC and Red Cross. Degree-level study of the French language, and cultures and societies across the world where French is spoken, is therefore a crucial asset for professional development and opening up career opportunities.

French at Queen’s reflects the dynamism and cultural diversity of the French-speaking world, from metropolitan France to North Africa to the Caribbean, as well as francophone-Chinese cultures. Training in high-quality language skills is at the centre of the course. Students will also explore a variety of major contemporary issues (e.g. urban cultures, migration, conflict and peace, social inequalities, language policy, multimedia industries, the environment and global health), across historical periods and geographical areas, and through a range of forms, including art, cinema, digital media, linguistics and literature. All students spend a period of residence in a Francophone country.

French at Queen’s is 2nd in the UK for Teaching Quality and 4th for Student Experience in the Times University Rankings 2026.

Course highlights

Global Opportunities

After Stage 2, you will spend a period of residence (normally 8 months or more) in a French-speaking country. Students will have the possibility of acquiring professional experience by teaching in a school, undertaking a work placement, or doing voluntary work. They may also elect to study at a French university.

Students in Languages at Queen’s have specialised classes to prepare them for the Year Abroad and members of our staff act as Year Abroad Officers.


Queen's University Belfast is committed to providing a range of international opportunities to its students during their degree programme. Details of this provision are currently being finalised and will be available from the University website once confirmed.

Students taking a BA in French undertake an extended period of residence abroad (typically 8 months), normally working as an assistant in a school or undertaking a paid work placement in a French-speaking country (previous students have gone to France but also, for example, Belgium, Canada and Guadeloupe). Students can also elect to study at a French-speaking university. In addition to the benefits for oral competence, the residence provides a unique opportunity for immersion in French and francophone culture. Moreover, the Year Abroad is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity. This feature of our degree programme gives students the opportunity for personal development, and further develops communication and language skills and intercultural awareness. The challenges of living abroad come to be a unique (and unforgettable) stage in their own personal development.

World Class Facilities

Queen’s has an excellent library with an outstanding range of resources in French and Francophone cultures. The Language
Centre has state-of-the-art facilities for language learning, and the IT provision more generally is excellent.

Internationally Renowned Experts

French at Queen’s is taught by world-leading experts in nineteenth and twentieth-century French and Francophone culture, with particular expertise in visual culture, linguistics, popular culture, medical humanities and postcolonial writing. Research in Languages at Queen’s was ranked 3rd in the UK in the 2014
Research Assessment (REF).

Professor Maeve McCusker is a world-leading specialist in postcolonial writing in French, with a particular interest in the Francophone Caribbean. In May 2023, her book Fictions of Whiteness was awarded the prestigious Gapper Book Prize by the Society for French Studies, for the best monograph published in the UK and Ireland in the previous year.

Student Experience

Students run a lively French Society and staff offer support through a personal tutoring system, skills development programme and a structured framework for feedback.

There are a number of undergraduate prizes available to top-performing students on this pathway. In addition to Foundation Scholarships recognising outstanding achievement in Stage 1, we have a range of endowed prizes. The AN Troughton Award and The Samuel and Sarah Ferguson Travel Prize recognise academic achievement at Stages 1 and 2. The Chris Shorley Prize rewards the best performances in the Language exam in Stage 3, and the Richard Bales Prize is awarded to the student with the highest mark in an optional module in Stage 3. Students of both languages receive a certificate of distinction for first class performance in the Stage 3 oral.

Further Study Opportunities

Further study is also an option open to French graduates. Students can continue to our MRes programme, which will be tailored to a student’s particular interests, and will involve a combination of guided study and independent research. It is a research preparation degree, allowing students to explore in depth a topic of their choice. It is an ideal preparation for PhD research. Other postgraduate programmes of possible interest for graduates of French include the MA in Arts Management and the MA in Translation.

This programme is carefully curated to develop students' skills in the French language and culture across the 4 years. Students progress from introductory modules that embed the key skills, to a wide range of specialist modules that allow them to deepen their interests. An academic year working or studying abroad in a Francophone country provides an immersive language experience.

Stage 1

In their first year students undertake up to 6 modules in French, which introduce key concepts in French language, literature, and culture. They will also develop critical and writing skills necessary in order to make the transition to study at university level.

Stage 2

In their second year, students select from modules exploring aspects of contemporary writing in French, building on the skills gained in year 1 to develop a level of sophistication in the use of the language.

Stage 3

In year 3, students spend around 8 months on a work placement in France, using and honing their language skills, and gaining valuable work experience.

Stage 4

In the final year of the degree, students can can select from a wide range of modules which are rooted in staff research expertise.

• People Teaching You
  Prof Steven Wilson

  Subject Lead

  French
  

• Contact Teaching Hours

  Medium Group Teaching

  10 (hours maximum)
  hours (typically comprising one core language module, 4 hours, and 2 optional modules, 6 hours)

  Personal Study

  26 (hours maximum)
  24-26 hours preparing and revising

• Learning and Teaching

  French at Queen’s is 2nd in the UK for Teaching Quality in the Times University Rankings 2026.
  
  We aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable our students to achieve their full academic potential.
  
  On the BA in French we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.
  
  Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

  E-Learning technologies

  A wide range of information associated with modules is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. Lecture notes are provided through Canvas for each module along with other support material. Much of the recommended reading is available through the same environment. Almost all coursework is submitted and returned, with marks and feedback, electronically.

  Language enrichment classes

  Students will have opportunities to develop oral skills and develop their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in real-life, practical contexts. All these classes are taught in very small groups (typically 12-20 students). Students attend two language enrichment classes per week as part of the core language module. They also attend a one-hour oral class (typically 8-12 students), delivered by a native speaker.

  Lectures

  These introduce you to basic information about new topics as a starting point for your own further private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in larger groups of 30-40 students). Only a small number of our modules are delivered in this way, e.g. Level One modules 'Perspectives on France: Moments of Crisis' and 'Francophone Cultures'.

  Personal Tutor

  Students are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development. This gives students one identified contact with whom to discuss any difficulties they might encounter and who can answer any queries they might have.

  Self-directed study

  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

  Seminars/tutorials

  Almost all of the teaching in French is carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide significant opportunity for you to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions and to assess your own progress and understanding with the support of your classmates. You will also be expected to make presentations and other contributions to these groups. All of our language teaching and, where appropriate, other modules, are delivered through the medium of French in small-group situations.

  Year Abroad

  Students taking a BA in French undertake an extended period of residence abroad (typically 8 months), normally working as an assistant in a French school. In addition to the benefits for oral competence in French, the residence provides a unique opportunity for immersion in French and francophone culture, well as invaluable employment experience. The Year Abroad is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity during which students can study at a university, work as an English Language Teacher, undertake a paid work placement, etc. This feature of our degree programme gives students the opportunity for personal development, gives them a job placement, further develops communication and language skills and intercultural awareness. The challenges of living abroad come to be a unique (and unforgettable) stage in their own personal development.
  
  Students in Languages at Queen’s have specialised classes to prepare them for the Year Abroad and members of our staff act as Year Abroad Officers.
  
  Queen's University Belfast is committed to providing a range of international opportunities to its students during their degree programme.

• Assessment

  Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

  • The way in which you will be assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Language modules are assessed through a variety of written tasks, class tests, a formal written examination and an oral exam at the end of the year. All other modules are assessed through a variety of forms of coursework which may include book reviews, projects, creative writing, presentations, essays and language tasks. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students at the beginning of their first year. All assessment, apart from oral exams, is marked and returned anonymously.
• Facilities

  Queen’s has an excellent library with an outstanding range of resources in French and Francophone cultures. The Language Centre has state-of-the-art facilities for language learning, and IT provision more generally is excellent.
  In the most recent Research Assessment (REF 2021) almost 80% of research in Languages at QUB was judged as 'internationally excellent.'

A level requirements

Post A-level French
ABB including A-level French.
Note: for applicants who have not studied A-level French then AS-level French grade B would be acceptable in lieu of A-level French.

Beginners Level French
ABB + GCSE French grade B or evidence of linguistic ability in another language.
Note: the Beginners' option is not available to those who have studied A-level or AS-level French.

A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level and a Distinction being equated to a grade B at A-level.

Irish leaving certificate requirements

H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H3 in French

International Baccalaureate Diploma

33 points overall, including 6(French),5,5 at Higher Level

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree, provided any subject requirement is also met

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

• How we choose our students

  Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by individual University Schools. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.
  
  Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.
  
  For last year's intake, applicants for this BA programme offering A-level/BTEC Level 3 qualifications must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better (to include English Language). Performance in any AS or A-level examinations already completed would also have been taken into account and the Selector checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.
  
  For applicants offering Irish Leaving Certificate, please note that performance at Irish Junior Certificate (IJC) is taken into account. For last year’s entry applicants for this degree must have had, a minimum of 5 IJC grades C/Merit. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied.
  
  Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered. The offer for repeat candidates is set in terms of three A-levels and may be one grade higher than that asked from first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.
  
  Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.
  
  Access courses, BTEC Extended Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, and Higher National Diplomas can be considered, provided the subject requirements for entry to French are also fulfilled.
  
  The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of BA degrees, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.
  
  A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.
  
  Candidates are not normally asked to attend for interview.
  
  If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.
  
  If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

• International Students

  Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

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  International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

  For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

  If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.