Course summary

French Studies with Italian is taught by the Department of Languages and Cultures. Our distinctive approach enables you to acquire high-level language skills and a thorough understanding of French and Italian cultures and societies within a global context. Your first year comprises an exploration of the French language and its cultural context. Alongside this, you will study an intensive Italian language and culture module, designed for beginners with little or no prior knowledge. You will also take a minor subject of your choice. In Year 2, you will study France’s culture, politics and history in more depth, as well as selecting courses which are international in scope and promote a comparative understanding of Europe and beyond. In the core Italian modules, you will improve your linguistic proficiency in a range of settings and study Italian lexis, grammar and syntax. Spending your third year abroad in a French-speaking country makes a major contribution to your command of the language, while deepening your intercultural sensitivity. You can study at a partner institution or conduct a work placement. We strongly recommend spending some time in Italy too as part of your degree. In your fourth year, you will continue developing your French and Italian language alongside a choice of specialist culture and comparative courses, such as ‘Contemporary Cities in Literature and Film’. You will also develop a particular topic from your second year studies into your specialist dissertation. Beginners Languages Studying a language from beginners level is somewhat intense in nature so we only allow students to study one language from beginners level. Please bear this in mind when looking at our first year module options. If you apply to study a degree with a language from beginners level, your optional modules will only include higher level languages and modules in other subject areas.