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European Studies combines the study of language with politics, culture and literature to give you the skills to understand and participate in the key issues across the continent. Studying the European Studies (French) programme enables you learn one of the most beautiful and widely-spoken Romance languages in Europe, and includes a year studying or working in a French-speaking country to experience the language and culture directly.
Overview
Europe is geographically, linguistically and culturally diverse. It is also at the centre of many contemporary political debates. European Studies at Kent is based in the School of European Culture and Languages (SECL) and benefits from the interdisciplinary culture within the School. The programme gives you the opportunity to study French to an advanced level. In addition to your language modules, there is a wide range of options available to you covering the history, culture and politics of Europe and European nations.
French is widely spoken. Not only is it the official language of France, it is also spoken in Belgium, Switzerland, Luxemburg and Andorra, as well as being widely spoken outside Europe in countries such as Canada, Lebanon, and many African countries. The University of Kent is an ideal location to study French. 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 have a better chance to immerse yourself in the language than at any other university in the country.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, 91% of French students were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course.
Politics at Kent was ranked 5th in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Year abroad
You spend a year abroad between Stages 2 and 3, studying at one of our partner universities in Paris, Grenoble, Lille, Lausanne, or working as an English language assistant or in approved employment. Students on the European Studies programmes with French are eligible to compete for an internship in Brussels. Credits from your year abroad count towards your final degree.
Teaching and assessment
Most of the modules involve a combination of lectures, seminars, contact with a native speaker and individual study in our computer-assisted language learning laboratory.
Modules taken at Stage 1 are assessed either by 100% coursework or a 50:50 combination of coursework and examination. At 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, usually in the ratio 50:50.
Programme aims
The specific aims of French as a subject are:
- To provide a sound grounding in the French language in all its aspects, through extensive reading in French and through the use of French as spoken and written medium.
- To immerse you in Francophone Culture by enabling you to spend one year in a Francophone Country. In most cases you will go abroad to participate in an Exchange in France or Switzerland, to work as a language assistant in a French School or in the Kent Regional Office in Brussels.
- To develop a critical awareness of the broad canon of French Literature from the 17th century to the 21st century as well as of the role of French Cinema and French Linguistics in the development of Contemporary French Culture.
- To train you in the field of translation from and into the target language.
- To provide a gateway to related thematic studies comprising various bodies of knowledge and methodological approaches.
- To provide teaching which is informed by current research and scholarship and which requires students to engage with aspects of work at the frontiers of knowledge.
- To provide a means of access to intercultural awareness and understanding.
- To recognize and reward excellence at different stages through the award of prizes.
- To prepare those who choose to take the French Business Language courses for the Chambre de Commerce de Paris Examinations.
- To contribute to widening participation in higher education by offering a wide variety of entry routes.
- To provide opportunities for the development of personal, communication, research and other key skills appropriate for graduate employment both in industry and in the public sector.
- To develop general critical, analytical and problem solving skills which can be applied in a wide range of situations
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- French Language.
- French Literature from the 17th to the 21st century.
- French Linguistics.
- French Cinema.
- French Theatre.
- Francophone Autobiography.
- French Postcolonial Studies.
- Francophone Presence in the World.
- French History.
- Critical Theory.
Intellectual skills
You gain the following intellectual abilities:
- Apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry.
- Evaluate information critically.
- Synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of the subject.
- Utilise problem solving skills.
- Utilise communication skills for the cohrent expression and transfer of knowledge.
- Analyse, evaluate and interpret a variety of types of evidence in a critical manner.
- Study and reach conclusions independently.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following:
- Communicate effectively in French.
- Develop reading speed in French.
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge and effective understanding of the various structures and registers of French.
- Translate accurately and efficientl into and from the target language.
- Analyse critically a variety of texts be they journalistic, historical or literary.
- Gain an appreciation of cultural diversity.
- Ability to work independently in a Francophone Business environment
- Develop skills in these three related areas: a) reception (listening and reading), b) production (speaking and writing) and c) mediation between at least two languages.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- Communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals using a variety of means.
- Evaluate their own academic performance.
- Utilise problem-solving skills in a variety of theoretical and practical situations.
- Accurate and effective note-taking and sumarising skills.
- Library and bibliographical research skills.
- Techniques for using French language source materials.
- Take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development.
- Manage time and prioritise workloads, think and perform under pressure.
- Capacity for teamwork.
- Leadership abilities.
- Work creatively and flexibly
- Deploy a range of Information Technology skills effectively, such as word processing text with footnotes, basic formatting, using e-mail, searching databases and text-files, navigating the world wide web
Careers
The ability to speak another European language is a key asset in the global employment market, and many employers view a graduate with overseas study experience as more employable.
Recent graduates have gone into areas such as politics both in the UK national and local government and Europe, the media, consultancy, teaching, marketing and financial services. Many also went on to postgraduate study.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB. Post-A level: A level French grade B. |
| GCSE | Grade B in French for the post-GCSE pathway, or for the beginner's level, some aptitude for modern languages including a grade C in a GCSE in a modern European language other than English. |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 at HL including a modern European language other than English 4 at HL or 5 at SL |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
UK/EU/International students on an approved Year Abroad for the full 2016/17 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent for that year. Those on an approved Year in Industry pay an annual fee of £865 to Kent for that year. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.