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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
French and History and Philosophy of Art BA (Hons)
This is a part-time, full-time joint honours programme within the French subject area.
Key facts
- Subject area: French
- Award: BA (Hons)
- Code: VR31
- Location: Canterbury
- Honours: Joint
- Mode of study: Part-time, Full-time
- Duration: 4 years
- Start: 2013
- Year in industry: No
- Year abroad: Yes
- Institution(s): University of Kent
Overview
Canterbury is the closest British university city to mainland Europe, and our proximity to the Channel ports and Ashford International station means you can be in France in just a couple of hours. There are also many French speaking students on campus, so you get a better chance to immerse yourself in the language than at any other university in the country. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), French at Kent came 7th in the UK, which means that during your studies at Kent you will be working with top-rated researchers.
At Kent, we have a wide range of links with French, Canadian, Belgium and Swiss universities. During your year abroad, as part of an Erasmus programme, you could begin to study for a French qualification (Licence), or alternatively you can gain work experience by becoming a language assistant in a French school or following other career paths. Our link with the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris also gives any student at Kent the opportunity to sit for the internationally recognised diplomas offered by that body. As a French student at Kent, you work closely in lectures, seminars and one-to-one tutorials, with staff who are specialists in literature, film, women's studies, philosophy, theory and linguistics as well as the seven language lectors who come from France and Switzerland.
Most of the modules are taught in French and we have instant access to French TV and radio thanks to up-to-date technology and satellite links.
Subject Leaflets
As this is a joint honours programme, you may find it useful to read both of the following subject leaflets for more information:
Modules
As this is a joint honours subject, please see both subject leaflets below for more details about the modules you may take:
Please contact us if you have any queries (Contacts are listed under the 'Further information' tab).
Teaching and assessment
French
Compulsory language modules typically involve three to four hours of classes per week, including one hour of small group work with a native speaker. We also make extensive use of computer-assisted language learning packages and audio and video materials. Culture and literature modules typically involve a weekly two-hour seminar plus essay supervision. We employ seven French language lectors to help students improve their fluency.
At Stage 1, assessment is based 100% on coursework (essays, class participation) in the first half of the year, and a 50:50 combination of coursework and examination in the second half of the year. For Stages 2 and 3, depending on the modules you select, assessment varies from 100% coursework (extended essays or dissertation), to a combination of examination and coursework, in the ratio 60:40 or 50:50. Credits from your year abroad count towards your final degree.
History and Philosophy of Art
In History and Philosophy of Art, we emphasise a close working relationship with students. The personal tutor system ensures that all of our students have access to a designated tutor for pastoral support and additional academic guidance throughout their time at Kent.
All modules include weekly lectures and small group seminars, but a distinctive feature of History and Philosophy of Art at Kent is that many modules involve visits to London museums, and other out-ofclassroom teaching venues. Helping students to acquire independence of thought and the skills of autonomous study are central to our teaching ethos.
All modules provided by History and Philosophy of Art are assessed solely by coursework, such as essays, presentations, image or text analyses and other module-related activities. This helps you develop in-depth knowledge of topics within modules that are most interesting and relevant to your study, and to acquire a wide range of generic and transferable skills. We have found formative assessment of this type both rigorous but also responsive to the ways in which students learn and develop their academic confidence.
Careers
French
The ability to speak a European language other than English is a key asset in the global employment market, and many employers view a graduate with overseas experience as more employable. Through your studies, you also acquire many of the transferable skills considered essential by graduate employers. These include the ability to work independently and as part of a team, the confidence to offer creative solutions when faced with challenges and the ability to express your ideas with clarity and passion.
Our students go into areas such as international banking, diplomacy, publishing, journalism, international product management, interpreting and translating, European media, law or accountancy, and language teaching. Some go on to postgraduate study in fields as varied as international journalism, visual studies and
translation.
History and Philosophy of Art
At Kent, we take the commitment to supporting and preparing our students for life after university very seriously. A degree in History and Philosophy of Art enables you to explore the history, meaning and nature of the visual arts, while also giving you the skills for a career in the arts industries and elsewhere. In terms of careers in the visual arts, the following are just some of the areas our recent graduates have entered: archivist and art historian; art librarian; arts shipping and insurance; arts therapy; auctioneering; craft studio workshop management; community arts/project development work; art dealing and brokerage; valuer; gallerist; heritage management; independent curator/art consultant; journalism; picture/provenance researcher; and photography.
In addition, many of our students opt to go on to postgraduate study in areas such as: museum curation and management, restoration and conservation, teaching, cultural tourism and the heritage sector.
For more information on the services Kent provides to improve your employment prospects, visit www.kent.ac.uk/employability
Entry requirements
Offer levels
ABB at A level, IB Diploma 33 points inc 4 at HL or 5 at SL in a modern European language other than English, or IB Diploma with 16 points at Higher inc 4 at HL or 5 at SL in a modern European language other than English.
Required subjects
French grade B/GCSE French grade B/ aptitude for modern languages.
Further information
School
Enquiries:
T: +44 (0)1227 827272
Key Information Sets
The Key Information Set (KIS) data (right) is compiled by UNISTATS and draws from a variety of sources which includes the National Student Survey and the Higher Education Statistical Agency. The data for assessment and contact hours is compiled from the most populous modules (to the total of 120 credits for an academic session) for this particular degree programme. Depending on module selection, there may be some variation between the KIS data and an individual's experience. For further information on how the KIS data is compiled please see the UNISTATS website.
If you have any queries about a particular programme, please contact information@kent.ac.uk