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Monash University

French studies - Faculty of Arts

Offered by the School of Languages Cultures and Linguistics

The French studies program is designed to enable students to develop a high level of communicative competence in the French language (including translation skills and specialised registers such as business French), and a critical awareness of fundamental areas of French studies: literature, film, cultural studies, politics and social sciences. Students will develop writing and research skills appropriate to advanced independent study.

Language levels in first year

French can be studied from an absolute beginners' level up to a level of near-native language proficiency. The French studies program has four entry points through four first-year sequences, each comprising a first and second-semester unit (see the back section of this handbook for the full description of units). These entry points correspond to four levels of proficiency in the French language, ranging from absolute beginners to advanced proficiency. Students who have completed VCE French with a score above 30 or an equivalent qualification will normally enrol at French studies level 5. To ensure that students are placed in the most appropriate level in the light of their individual profile and the best outcome they can expect to achieve, students may be asked to undertake placement testing prior to the start of first semester and, where applicable, to provide a copy of their VCE results.

Minor and major sequences

Students normally progress in second and third years through sequential language levels and complete option units in fundamental areas of French studies for the major in French studies.

For information on the units required for a major or minor in French studies, refer to the `Areas of study' section on the Arts faculty website at http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/study-areas/.

Study abroad

All students have the opportunity to participate in the Language Study Abroad Program in France or the francophone world. The French studies program has exchange agreements with the universities of Clermont-Ferrand II, Lyon III, Paris III et l'Institut d'Etudes Politiques (Paris) for semester-length study abroad. It also provides for summer-semester forms of study abroad. Grants for study abroad are available through Monash Abroad, to whom applications should be addressed.

Relevant courses

  • Diploma in Languages (French)
  • Bachelor of Arts (and associated double degrees)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Global)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Languages)
  • Bachelor of Letters

Contact details

Inquiries (Clayton): Room S423, fourth floor, South Wing, Menzies building; Telephone +61 3 9905 2281 or +61 3 9905 2223; Email lcl.enquiries@arts.monash.edu.au or visit http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/schools/lcl/.