French Studies BA
ABB at A level, French; graduates earn a median £29,000 three years on.
Typical A level offer
ABB
French · 100% of entrants came with A levels · 100% stay on after year 1 · Warwick course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
ABBtypical A level offer; abb to include french.
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: BBB, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
Warwick course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
- 1French
Who actually got in: 100% with A levels. Based on 20 entrants.
Other qualifications4
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| IB | 32 points32 points to include 5 in Higher Level French. | 5 in Higher Level French |
| BTEC | —We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside A level French. | — |
| Advanced Highers | ABAB in two Advanced Highers including French, and BBB in three further Highers subjects. | French, and BBB in three further Highers subjects |
| Access | 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis. Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Di | — |
Years 1–4
What do you study?
3compulsory modules in year 1
Compulsory modules this year: language & communication 50% · transversal skills 19% · arts & humanities 14% · social & cultural skills 11%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
Warwick course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 3 core · 90 credits ≈ 900 hours
- French Language I
What you learn (13)
- identify potential comprehension difficulties arising from syntax, lexis and grammar
- apply accurate reading strategies to french texts
- produce written texts in a range of genres, registers and styles
- explain challenges of translating french texts into english
- apply translation strategies to overcome linguistic challenges
- proofread written texts systematically for accuracy
- anticipate common sources of misunderstanding in spoken french
- use accurate and idiomatic spoken french in communication
- describe key aspects of contemporary french society and culture
- manage own language learning independently
- apply grammatical and syntactical knowledge through translation into french
- expand vocabulary through translation practice
- apply fundamental grammatical rules of french accurately
- The Story of Modern France
What you learn (8)
- engage openly with perspectives from other cultures
- identify distinctive features of a foreign culture
- read primary texts in the target language
- analyse primary textual materials in the target language
- apply critical theory to support textual analysis
- apply critical theory to support cultural analysis
- present analytical findings clearly and accurately
- produce comprehensive written work in an original style
- Independent project in modern languages
What you learn (6)
- identify suitable primary sources for independent research
- identify suitable secondary sources for independent research
- incorporate ongoing feedback to refine academic work
- describe challenges facing modern languages study in higher education
- apply ICT tools to produce project materials
- analyse complex cultural themes linked to the studied language
Year 2 · 1 core, 7 optional · 30 credits ≈ 300 hours
- Modern French Language II
What you learn (10)
- produce advanced written texts in french
- apply advanced french grammatical structures accurately
- analyse difficulties in translating between french and english
- produce accurate translations addressing syntax and register issues
- interpret spoken french at an advanced level
- communicate fluently in spoken french using varied vocabulary and idiom
- evaluate aspects of contemporary francophone culture and society
- proofread written french texts systematically for accuracy
- interpret a range of french document types at an advanced level
- apply independent strategies to develop language skills
7 optional modules
- Bestsellers of the 19th Century
What you learn (8)
- differentiate language varieties and registers across genres in French
- interpret subtle shades of meaning in French texts
- engage openly with distinctive features of nineteenth-century French culture
- appreciate the distinctive characteristics of nineteenth-century French culture
- locate relevant primary and secondary French-language sources
- critically analyse French-language primary and secondary texts
- describe features of French cultures, communities and societies
- apply disciplinary methodologies relevant to French literary and cultural studies
- In the Family Way: Birth Sex & Death in French 17thc Culture & Text
What you learn (10)
- conduct independent research using lecture, seminar and reading material
- identify key authors, texts and contexts relevant to the module
- describe the central issues discussed in the texts studied
- explain thematic content of set texts
- analyse linguistic and stylistic features of set texts
- expand french vocabulary and stylistic awareness through reading
- critically analyse literary texts
- evaluate literary devices specific to different genres
- distinguish between different literary genres
- assess socio-cultural information conveyed by different genres
- Representations of the Holocaust
What you learn (5)
- analyse French-language texts depicting the Holocaust
- apply target language skills to interpret cultural material
- apply holocaust studies theories to analyse french representations
- describe the socio-political context surrounding holocaust representations
- describe the cultural context surrounding holocaust representations
- The Right in France, from the Dreyfus Affair to the Present
What you learn (12)
- engage openly with perspectives from other cultures
- identify distinctive features of different cultures
- distinguish varieties and registers of the French language
- interpret nuanced meaning and genre conventions in French texts
- locate primary and secondary sources in French
- critically analyse French-language source materials
- describe key scholarly debates on the module's topics
- apply relevant research methodologies to historical topics
- evaluate the historical development of the French right
- compare leaders, strategies and supporters of right-wing movements
- present learned material clearly in spoken form
- communicate learned material clearly in written form
- Introduction to French Linguistics
What you learn (9)
- explain the structural rules governing the French language
- describe patterns of variation in French using linguistic theory
- apply linguistic methods to analyse the French language
- identify key milestones in the history of linguistic study
- describe how scientific methods are used to study features of French
- transcribe French speech sounds using phonetic notation
- construct syntactic tree diagrams for French sentences
- analyse how meaning is constructed in French and language generally
- evaluate alternative explanations for grammar, register and vocabulary choices
- French Cinema and Society from the First to the Second World War
What you learn (11)
- explain how economic and technological factors shape film styles
- describe how social and cultural factors influence film representation
- analyse how social and economic factors shaped key events in modern French history
- explain the ideological and cultural causes behind historical episodes in france
- critically analyse links between political history and cinematic representation
- identify film techniques used to convey narrative and ideas
- compose a written analysis of historical and cinematic ideas
- research material to support an audio-visual presentation on film
- create a presentation using film clips to support analytical arguments
- evaluate the reliability and relevance of historical sources
- conduct independent research on french film and social history
Year 3 · 1 core, 13 optional · 30 credits ≈ 300 hours
- Modern French Language III
What you learn (9)
- evaluate intercultural issues linked to contemporary France
- apply independent strategies to learn a foreign language
- conduct independent research on language-related topics
- proofread French texts systematically for accuracy
- apply advanced French grammar rules in writing
- translate complex texts between French and English
- construct complex French syntax across varied contexts
- communicate orally in French across diverse topics
- adapt spoken French register and style to context
13 optional modules
- Slavery and After: Writing the Francophone Caribbean
What you learn (6)
- describe key historical events shaping Martinique and Guadeloupe
- explain major literary movements of the francophone Caribbean
- explain the political context of Martinique and Guadeloupe
- analyse representations of slavery's legacy across different texts
- apply postcolonial theory to interpret francophone Caribbean texts
- construct reasoned arguments about texts informed by critical theory
- The Left & Trade Unions in France
What you learn (10)
- use lecture, seminar and reading materials as a basis for independent research
- identify key facts about the historical contexts and topics studied
- explain the linguistic and thematic content of the studied materials
- present findings clearly in spoken form
- present findings clearly in written form
- participate in academic discussions on the topics studied
- compare different interpretations of the events and themes studied
- relate historical developments in french trade unionism to contemporary issues
- apply digital tools to gather relevant source material
- use digital tools to present academic material
- Occupation: Everyday Life in Vichy, France 1940-1944
What you learn (5)
- examine primary sources on life under occupation
- examine scholarly accounts of life under occupation
- explain factors causing differing experiences under vichy rule
- present reasons why certain wartime experiences remain understudied
- synthesise complex narratives of wartime france and the francophone world
- Paris and the Modern Imagination
What you learn (6)
- identify key features of French literary texts depicting Paris across different periods
- evaluate critically how modern texts represent aspects of the city of Paris
- analyse literary and historical sources using historiographical approaches
- apply ideas from cultural critics and literary theorists to interpret texts
- design an independent research project on a chosen scholarly topic
- communicate research findings clearly in written academic form
- European Gothic
What you learn (7)
- explain the gothic as a transnational literary and cultural phenomenon
- analyse issues of authorship and intellectual property in literary works
- evaluate processes of inter-cultural adaptation in gothic literature
- explain the links between literature and emerging media technologies of the enlightenment
- translate and interpret texts across different languages and literary traditions
- conduct independent library-based research on a literary topic
- produce an original contribution to the field through a research project
- Propaganda and Persuasion in Modern Europe
What you learn (10)
- explain how propaganda has been produced and disseminated in modern Europe
- analyse how audiences have received and interpreted propaganda
- define propaganda across different historical and cultural contexts
- demonstrate competence in interacting across different cultural settings
- engage openly with practices and values of unfamiliar cultures
- describe features of a foreign culture or society
- interpret primary source materials written in the target language
- evaluate secondary source materials written in the target language
- describe communities and societies associated with the target language
- apply discipline-appropriate research methodologies
- Translation and Translators in the Contemporary World
What you learn (4)
- explain advanced concepts underpinning translation studies
- describe key concepts underpinning translation studies
- apply translation studies terminology to reflect on translators' strategies
- evaluate translators' strategies using advanced translation studies terminology
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£29,000median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£24k
Median£29k
Upper quarter£34k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 65 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 13, 23
Half of graduates earned between £24,000 and £33,500. Five years on, the median is £35,500. 90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 85% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 10% left | 100% | 20 |
| In work or study, 15 months on5% studying | 90% | 20 |
| Professional or managerial job | 85% | 15 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £30,000 | 10 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £29,000 | 65 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £35,500 | 75 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
Warwick fees page · source
About £40,200 in fees over 4 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold.
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
92%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 72% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 30 students answered
Highest: 100% agreed on question 1; lowest: 64% on question 25.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 100% |
| Question 2 | 94% |
| Question 3 | 96% |
| Question 4 | 96% |
| Question 5 | 94% |
| Question 6 | 94% |
| Question 7 | 86% |
| Question 8 | 86% |
| Question 9 | 85% |
| Question 10 | 90% |
| Question 11 | 100% |
| Question 12 | 90% |
| Question 13 | 90% |
| Question 14 | 94% |
| Question 15 | 96% |
| Question 16 | 94% |
| Question 17 | 86% |
| Question 18 | 87% |
| Question 19 | 85% |
| Question 20 | 96% |
| Question 21 | 89% |
| Question 22 | 100% |
| Question 23 | 89% |
| Question 24 | 79% |
| Question 25 | 64% |
| Question 26 | 92% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of Warwick’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of Warwick is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.