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French and English and America Literature enables you to learn the language and culture of France, alongside gaining culture insights from broad range of writing, a combination that gives you a cultural understanding that crosses national boundaries.
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.
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.
English at Kent is challenging, flexible, and wide-ranging. It covers both traditional areas (such as Shakespeare or Dickens) and newer fields such as American literature, creative writing, postcolonial literature and recent developments in literary theory.
Staff in the School of English are internationally recognised for academic research which links closely with undergraduate teaching, and the School regularly hosts visits by a variety of international writers and critics. There are several published authors and poets in the School, and our students publish a magazine of creative writing, poetry and prose.
French and English and American Literature is therefore an ideal combination for those wanting to gain linguistics skills and develop insights across cultures.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, 91% of French students were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course.
95% of English and Creative Writing students at Kent were satisfied with the quality of teaching 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 a year studying in Europe, America, Canada or Hong Kong.
Teaching and assessment
French
You take compulsory language modules, including 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.
English and American Literature
Modules are taught by weekly seminars. Core modules include a weekly lecture, plus individual supervision is offered for the Long Essay. Assessment at Stage 1 is by a mixture of coursework and examination. Some modules may include an optional practical element.
Programme aims
This programme aims to:
- provide a sound grounding in the French language in all its aspects
- immerse you in Francophone Culture by enabling you to spend one year in a Francophone Country. In most cases you will 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
- 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
- contribute to widening participation in higher education by offering a wide variety of entry routes
- 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 intellectual skills in:
- applying the skills needed for academic study and enquiry
- how to evaluate information critically
- synthesising information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of the subject
- utilising problem solving skills
- how to utilise communication skills for the cohrent expression and transfer of knowledge
- analysing, evaluating and interpreting a variety of types of evidence in a critical manner
- how to study and reach conclusions independently.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills to:
- 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 efficiently into and from the target language
- analyse critically a variety of texts be they journalistic, historical or literary
- appreciate of cultural diversity
- work independently in a Francophone business environment
- perform well in these three related areas: a) reception (listening and reading), b) production (speaking and writing) and c) mediation between at least two languages (translation and interpreting).
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills to:
- communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals using a variety of means
- evaluate you own academic performance
- utilise problem-solving skills in a variety of theoretical and practical situations
- demonstrate active and effective note-taking and summarising skills
- demonstrate library and bibliographical research skills
- use French language source materials
- take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development
- manage time and prioritise workloads, think and perform under pressure
- demonstrate a capacity for teamwork
- demonstrate leadership abilities
- work creatively and flexibly
- deploy a range of IT skills effectively, such as how to produce written documents; undertake online research; communicate using email; process information using databases.
Careers
Studying on a French and English and American Literature degree, you gain many of the transferable skills considered essential by graduate employers. Throughout your studies, you learn to think critically and to work independently; your communication skills improve and you learn to express your opinions passionately and persuasively, both in writing and orally. In addition, 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.
Our graduates have gone into: journalism, broadcasting and media, publishing, writing and teaching; more general areas such as banking, marketing analysis and project management; or on to further study for postgraduate qualifications.
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 including grade B in English Literature or English Language and Literature |
| GCSE | Grade B in French for the post-GCSE pathway, or for the beginner's level, some aptitude for modern languages including grade C 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 overall or 15 points at HL, including 4 at HL or 5 at SL in a modern European language other than English, HL English A1/A2/B at 5/6/6 OR English Literature A/English Language and Literature A (or Literature A/Language and Literature A of another country) at HL 5 or SL 6 |
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.