French (2024)

The French programme offers papers in language, literature, culture and translation. The University has exchange agreements with several French universities, and students are encouraged to undertake a semester of study in France. French may be usefully combined with subjects outside the BA, including Education, Law, Management, Music and Science.

French is available as a specialisation within the International Languages and Cultures major. Details of the requirements for the French language specialisation can be found under International Languages and Cultures.

French may also be taken as a minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

The point of entry into the French language papers depends on previous experience. Those with no previous experience of French, take FRNCH131 followed by FRNCH231 in the subesequent year. Students with 14 credits at Level 3 in NCEA French or equivalent, will gain direct entry into FRNCH232. Students with excellent results at Level 2 in NCEA French or equivalent, may, at the discretion of the Convenor of French, begin with FRNCH232. Native speakers of French may not enrol in FRNCH131, FRNCH231, FRNCH232, FRNCH331 or FRNCH332. Students whose heritage language is French and who wish to enrol in a French language acquisition paper should contact a lecturer in the subject to determine the appropriate level. Please consult with the Programme Convenor for general advice on entry point into French language acquisition papers.

Note: Students are encouraged to contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office for programme advice.

Enrolment into the PGCert, PGDip, BA(Hons) and MA in French will be suspended from 2022 onwards.


On this page


  • Prescriptions for the GradCert(Fren) and GradDip(Fren)

    A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included French at an advanced level in their first degree.

    For further details, contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.

  • Prescriptions for the PGCert(Fren), PGDip(Fren), BA(Hons) and MA

    To complete a BA(Hons) in French, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research (normally FRNCH591) and at least 30 points from papers listed for French.

    To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MA in French, a student should have completed either:

    a) a BA with a major in International Languages and Cultures: French pathway (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B average in either the best three of their 300 level French papers or all of their undergraduate French papers, or

    b) a BA(Hons) in French (or equivalent) and have gained at least second class honours (second division).

    Completion requirements for the MA in French vary according to admission criteria:

    Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including one of FRNCH501, FRNCH510 or FRNCH524, and either a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.

    Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.

    Students are advised to consult with the Convenor of French about their programme of study.

    Note: There will be no new intakes into all of these postgraduate qualifications in 2022 onwards.

  • Prescriptions for the MPhil

    The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

  • Prescriptions for the PhD

    The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

  • 100 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    FRNCH131French for Beginners15.024B (Hamilton)
    Learn the basics of written and spoken French including greetings, family, city life and daily routines. No previous knowledge of French is needed.
  • 200 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    FRNCH231Intermediate French 115.024A (Hamilton)
    Take your written and spoken French to the next level. This paper focuses on the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing the French language at an intermediate level.
    FRNCH232Intermediate French 215.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper is the continuation of FRNCH231.
    INTLC225The French-speaking World from Astérix to Zombies15.024B (Online)
    Discover the result of contact between French, regional and Indigenous cultures in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Topics include language revitalisation, the Slave Trade, Creoles and Vodou. This paper is taught in English.
  • 300 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    FRNCH331Advanced French 115.024A (Hamilton)
    Use your French in practical contexts. This paper covers work, CV-writing, presentations, travel, accommodation and everyday life in France.
    FRNCH332Advanced French 215.024B (Hamilton)
    Extend your written and spoken French skills through creative writing and discussion of current affairs in France.
    INTLC301Research Methods in International Languages and Cultures15.0No occurrences
    After workshops covering intercultural contexts in research, bibliography, literature reviews, ethics, data collection and editing, students will prepare a research report.
    INTLC317French Culture from Versailles to the Revolution15.024B (Hamilton)
    A study of France's literary, social, and historical movements from the Golden Age of Versailles through to the Enlightenment and the Revolution it inspired.
    INTLC380Study Abroad 115.024G (Block), 24I (Block) & 24X (Block)
    This paper will enable students to undertake appropriate individual study abroad programmes as part of their undergraduate degree. Each study programme should have a significant component of time spent offshore, with a series of assessments being agreed in advance with the paper convenor.
  • 500 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    INTLC517French Culture from Versailles to the Revolution30.024B (Hamilton)
    A study of France's literary, social, and historical movements from the Golden Age of Versailles through to the Enlightenment and the Revolution it inspired.
  • 800 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    FRNCH800French MPhil Thesis120.024X (Hamilton)
    No description available.
  • 900 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    FRNCH900French PhD Thesis120.024I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton)
    No description available.

2024 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 22 March 2024 8:11pm

This page has been reformatted for printing.