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French and Drama enables you to learn the language and culture of France, alongside learning the practical skills and cultural insights of the dramatic arts. You gain a deeper understanding of French drama and theatre and will also have the opportunity to combine the two subjects in your final-year dissertation.
Overview
French is one of the most beautiful romance languages. Outside of France it is spoken as far afield as Canada, the Seychelles, Madagascar and Mali. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations, and an important language in the EU. Studying at our Canterbury campus gives you a good opportunity to immerse yourself in the language. There are many French-speaking students on campus, and our proximity to airports, the Channel ports and the Eurostar terminals at Ashford and Ebbsfleet make it quick and easy to get to Paris, Brussels and Lille.
University of Kent Drama students are taught by leading performance practitioners and lecturers from all around the world. Our range of industry-standard facilities include studios, performance spaces and workshops. There is a diverse array of modules to choose from that incorporate a distinctive balance of practical and theoretical elements, allowing you to develop the skills and vision needed for employment in the creative industries and beyond. Consequently, our Drama and Theatre courses are among the most popular in the country with strong National Student Survey results every year.
We offer the opportunity for you to spend a year studying or working abroad in a French speaking country, where you can experience the language and business world of France, Switzerland, or Canada first hand, make useful contacts and practise your language skills.
French and Drama is therefore an ideal combination for those wanting to gain a broad cultural insight and practical skills with an international focus.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, 91% of French students were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course.
Drama, Dance and Cinematics at Kent was ranked 11th in The Complete University Guide 2016. Over 86% of Drama and Dance students at Kent were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course, according to 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 can spend all or part of your third year in a French speaking country. Typically this involves a year study abroad at a partner university, an assistantship in a French or French- Canadian school or a work placement.
We currently have exchange agreements with French universities in Avignon, Grenoble, Lille, Littoral, Lyon, Montpellier, Nice, Paris, Poitiers, Reims, with Canadian universities in Ottawa and Montréal, with the University of Namur in Belgium, and with Swiss universities in Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchâtel. We normally visit you during your year abroad.
Teaching and assessment
French
You take compulsory language modules 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 six French language lectors to help students improve their fluency.
At all stages, assessment is based 100% on coursework (essays, oral presentations) in the first half of the year, and a combination of coursework and examination in the second half of the year. Credits from your year abroad count towards your final degree.
Drama and Theatre
Teaching is through workshops, seminars, lectures and practical projects. Drama and Theatre modules are continuously assessed based on coursework, projects and presentations, performances, essays and dissertations.
Programme aims
The programme aims 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
- 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
- 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
- train you in the field of translation from and into the target language
- provide a gateway to related thematic studies comprising various bodies of knowledge and methodological approaches
- 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
- provide a means of access to intercultural awareness and understanding
- recognise and reward excellence at different stages through the award of prizes
- prepare those who choose to take the French Business Language courses for the Chambre de Commerce de Paris Examinations
- 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
- 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 develop the following intellectual skills:
- academic study and enquiry skills
- evaluating information critically
- synthesising information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of the subject
- utilising problem-solving skills
- utilising communication skills for the coherent expression and transfer of knowledge
- analysing, evaluating and interpreting a variety of types of evidence in a critical manner
- studying and reaching conclusions independently.
Subject-specific skills
You gain the following subject-specific skills:
- effective communication in French
- developing reading speed in French
- demonstrating detailed knowledge and effective understanding of the various structures and registers of French
- translating accurately and efficiently into and from the target language
- analysing critically a variety of texts be they journalistic, historical or literary
- an appreciation of cultural diversity
- ability to work independently in a Francophone business environment
- reception (listening and reading), production (speaking and writing), and mediation between at least two languages (translation and interpreting).
Transferable skills
You gain the following transferable skills:
- effective communication with a wide range of individuals using a variety of means
- evaluation of your own academic performance
- problem-solving skills in a variety of theoretical and practical situations
- accurate and effective note-taking and summarising skills
- library and bibliographical research skills
- techniques for using French language source materials
- taking responsibility for personal and professional learning and development
- managing time and prioritising workloads, thinking and performing under pressure
- capacity for teamwork
- leadership abilities
- working creatively and flexibly
- effective IT skills.
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 French department also has a close relationship with Avignon, Rheims and Paris III Universities and often sends new graduates to teach English there, which is a great way to enhance any job application, especially if you are considering working in France or teaching in any country.
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.
Drama and Theatre
The Department has developed partnerships with some of the major players in theatre in the UK including: Battersea Arts Centre, the RSC and The Gate. Selected programmes offer you the opportunity to go on work placements which can lead to future full-time employment, while the range of modules we offer ensures you develop key skills such as planning and organisation, teamworking, adaptability and leadership.
Past graduates have become theatre producers, actors, literary managers, journalists, authors, directors, performers, scriptwriters for television, stand-up comedians, casting agents, event managers, arts administrators, community theatre officers for local councils, drama teachers, and many have gone on to postgraduate study. We also support past students to set up companies and remain in Kent with the Graduate Theatre Scheme.
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, with a grade B in French for the post-A Level pathway |
| GCSE | Grade B in French for the post-GSCE 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 4 at HL or 5 at SL in a modern European language other than English |
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.