Prospective undergraduates
French at Sheffield is a rich and varied academic discipline which offers an integrated course in the language, society, literature and thought of France from the medieval period to the present day. At the core of our work is the French language, conceived as a skill to be mastered, an object of study in its own right, and as a gateway to the rich culture of France and francophone countries. Our programme provides an opportunity to gain valuable intellectual training within the context of a closely focussed study of the culture and the history of a nation which has played, and continues to play, a defining role in European and world affairs.
Our aim is to equip our graduates with the qualities for which employers in all sectors are expressing a need. These include a high level of linguistic proficiency, critical thinking, broadly-based knowledge and understanding, a professional attitude, and a flexible approach to study and work. Our students graduate with enhanced transcultural awareness that will help them to operate and feel at home in the interconnected world of today's Europe.
Year One (Level 1)
The First Year programme consists of a core Introductory Course which combines general lectures on French culture with intensive study of the spoken and written language. The course includes an academic skills component covering topics such as research and referencing.
The flexible structure of the Sheffield first year gives our students the chance to begin a new language from scratch or to take up another subject, such as Archaeology or Philosophy. Optional courses offered by the French Department also encourage all students, whether they intend to specialize in languages or not, to broaden their knowledge of French culture through the study of classic narratives in translation and classic films in subtitled versions.
Year Two (Level 2)
Most of your work in Year 2 is done in seminar groups that provide more opportunities for individual study and initiative. All students follow a core language and communication skills course, and choose one of two pathways on a second core module that covers issues in contemporary France in preparation for the Year Abroad. Depending on their degree programme, students also choose one or more specialist options covering areas such as literature, linguistics, society, cinema, business, politics, cultural and gender studies.
The Department places considerable emphasis on encouraging students to acquire skills which are also relevant to the world of professional work, such as communicative techniques, presentation skills, research and information-handling techniques, as well as time management and team work. These are developed through a variety of teaching, learning and assessment methods, with a particular emphasis on Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL).
The course for both Single and Dual honours students is designed to offer maximum exposure to a large and diversified field of knowledge. Dual Honours students are not expected to cover the same range of specialised studies as those following the Single Honours course, but will find that the organisation of the syllabus enables them to study at least one area of French Studies in depth during their second year.
Year Three
Your third year is spent working or studying abroad. Depending on your degree programme, you will spend the equivalent of either one or two semesters in France or another francophone country. You can enrol as a student in a francophone university, do a business placement or apply to be a language assistant in a school. Click on the Year Abroad link in the left-hand panel for more details of the exceptionally wide range of opportunities we offer.
Year Four (Level 3)
The final year is entirely seminar-based and offers greater opportunities for specialist study, alongside core language modules designed to develop sophisticated spoken, written, listening and reading skills in French across a range of topics.
Most students will choose at least two special options from a broad range of courses. Although all final-year modules are free-standing, some form a natural progression from second-year courses, allowing students to pursue a particular interest across two years of study. Single Honours students follow a special course on film studies and acquire new skills via a module on transcription, translation and subtitling.
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