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Asia is a fast-growing, large and diverse continent, encompassing many countries, cultures and languages. Combining Asian Studies with French enables you to engage with the cultural diversity of Asia alongside a deep understanding of one of Europe’s most romantic and influential countries.
Overview
You develop a solid grounding in Asian Studies through a multidisciplinary approach that draws on modules in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The programme is designed to develop your critical awareness of the interpretive, cultural and political challenges to understanding Asian cultures and civilisations, both historically and today.
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.
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 by following other career paths.
The two subject areas in combination therefore provide you with a truly global perspective, gaining insights across cultures and continents.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, 91% of French students were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course.
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
Between Stages 2 and 3, you spend a year abroad in a French-speaking country as part of your French programme of study. Please see more information on your year abroad in the department of French.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching for all the non-language modules is through a combination of lectures and seminars. Assessment is by coursework (essays and presentations) and written examination.
Language assessment is through a combination of coursework (essays, presentations, projects, translations), unseen written examinations, oral examinations; dissertation, extended essay, and computer-assisted language learning tests.
In addition, independent study is enhanced by the final-year dissertation option, which enables students to pursue a topic in greater depth, linking the different pathways of the degree programme.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- provide a solid grounding in Asian Studies utilising multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches drawn from the Humanities and Social Sciences
- develop a critical awareness of the interpretive, cultural and political challenges to understanding Asian cultures and civilisations both historically and in the contemporary period
- provide opportunities for written and spoken language competency in an Asian language up to languages global scale level B2
- provide the opportunity, where possible, for the student of Asian culture to spend a significant period of time, and in some instances a year abroad, in an Asian country of relevance to their studies
- facilitate an engaged and critical awareness of Asian cultures and civilisations
- develop an awareness of Asian culture in a global context, with specific reference to historical and contemporary relations with European cultures and traditions
- 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
- promote interdisciplinary approaches to disciplines such as religious studies, philosophy, comparative literature, politics, history, sociology, and cinema through the study of appropriate texts and audio-visual material
- provide a means of access to intercultural awareness and understanding and an awareness of the interpretive, theoretical and practical challenges to its development
- contribute to widening participation in higher education by offering a 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 utilised in a wide range of situations.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the interdisciplinary nature of Asian Studies
- humanities and social scientific methods
- Asian cultures and traditions
- Asia understood in relation to the global context
- Asia and its historical and contemporary relationship to Europe
- interpretive issues related to developing intercultural understanding.
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
- make use of problem-solving skills
- utilise communication skills for the coherent expression and transfer of knowledge
- analyse, evaluate and interpret a variety of evidence in a critical manner
- study and reach conclusions independently
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following:
- where chosen as an option, be able to communicate effectively in an Asian language both orally and in writing
- demonstrate detailed knowledge and effective understanding of Asian culture, traditions and societies
- critically analyse a variety of texts and images, i.e. historical, literary, religious, philosophical and journalistic etc.
- gain an appreciation of and sensitivity to cultural diversity
- develop an awareness of challenges, obstacles and ways of developing cultural awareness.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals using a variety of information sources and methods
- identify problems and explore alternative solutions
- library and bibliographical research skills
- techniques for using Asian language source materials in their original and in translation
- take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development
- manage time and prioritise workloads, think and perform under pressure
- capacity for teamwork, working creatively and flexibly with others in a group environment
- deploy a range of Information Technology skills effectively, such as word processing text with footnotes, basic formatting, use of CD-ROMs, using e-mail, searching databases and text-files, navigating the Internet.
Careers
Asia contains many of the world's fastest growing economies so knowledge and understanding of this region will help you to stand out in the employment market. In addition, the ability to speak another language is a key asset and many employers view a graduate with overseas study experience as more employable.
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 |
| GCSE | 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 points overall or 15 at HL |
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.