Course details

Summary

Knowing a second language increases one's employability in a global environment. French is a good choice, being one of the few truly international languages, and is useful in travel, culture, trade, science and sport on several continents. French culture is influential and its history fascinating.

Why study French at UC?

The French programme at UC offers courses to 300-level in French language, as well as courses in French culture, French society, French literature and European film. Courses are suitable for those who cannot read or speak a word of French, and for those who have studied French at school.

The recent development of flexible learning in the French programme at UC has made it easier to include language studies within your degree.

Recommended preparation

Whatever your background in French you are eligible for several of our courses. We offer language courses at various levels, including for beginners:

Students with little or no experience in learning French take FREN121 French Language Acquisition: Beginners' A.

Students with NCEA Level 2 (or equivalent standard in another qualification) start with FREN122 French Language Acquisition: Beginners' B.

Students with NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent standard in another qualification) can start directly in FREN221 French Language Acquisition: Intermediate A.

Courses

100-level courses

There are courses offered at each level where some knowledge of French is required. There are also courses offered at each level for students who have no knowledge of the French language but who are interested in the cultural and literary aspects of Europe.

Courses from European and European Union Studies (EURA) can be credited towards a Bachelor of Arts in French.

200-level and beyond

Advancing students continue with language and culture courses at 200 and 300-level.

Career opportunities

French as a discipline extends beyond the learning of the language itself and can enhance a range of careers in teaching, diplomacy, foreign trade or the tourism industry. Many UC students combine the study of French with another degree in Law, Science, Commerce or Engineering to enhance their career opportunities.

Graduates of French take up a wide range of occupations, from the public service to banking or journalism, translation, or work in research-based institutions.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Certificate in Arts. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.