French Studies
French Studies (B.A.)
Are you interested in the French cultural area, its literature, history, and culture and would like to take an academic approach to broadening your knowledge of these aspects at the same time as furthering your French language skills? Then you are in the right place!
- Degree
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Duration of studies in semester
- 6
- Start of degree program
- Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Special ways to study
- 2-subject Bachelor, Part-time degree program
- Teaching language
- in German and in the languages of the respective core subjects
- Admission Requirements
- No Admissions Restrictions
- Keywords
- French language, Culture, Literature, Language, Linguistics
What is the degree program about?
French is so much more than just a subject you can study as part of a teaching degree. But what exactly does the Bachelor’s degree program in French Studies involve? The main focus is on learning the language and on reflecting on the theories behind the French language, literature and culture. The Bachelor’s degree program covers not only practical language courses (e.g., oral communication, text production or pronunciation), but also lectures and seminars on linguistic, literary and cultural development and transformation processes. In addition to the language, of which you should already have a basic knowledge, you will therefore also explore linguistics, cultural studies, literary studies and regional studies. You can choose an individual specialization.
In a basic seminar in French literary studies, for instance, you may explore language issues, gender construction and identity aspects from the point of view of autobiographical writing. In a linguistics lecture you may explore French-speaking countries and territories across the globe and investigate language variations within these francophone areas.
Going abroad remains the most effective way to practice and improve your language skills. FAU has active exchange programs with French universities (including Aix-en-Provence, Caen, Limoges, Rennes).
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The major difference in whether you take French Studies as your first subject or as your second subject is when it comes to choosing the topic of your Bachelor’s thesis. In either case, you will complete a number of self-contained modules (teaching and learning units including examinations) from various areas, allowing you to specialize in an area of your choice.
In the first study phase lasting one year students acquire a sound knowledge of language practice, linguistics and literary studies by attending introductory modules (basic modules).
In the second study phase students expand, specialize and contextualize their subject and methodological skills (advanced modules).
In the third study phase students specialize in a selected area. Students gain the skills they need to conduct independent academic work (specialization modules). -
- An interest in the French language, literature and culture and a willingness to explore these aspects from an academic perspective.
- An interest in exploring texts and in spoken and written communication
- A good knowledge of French at a level equivalent to B1 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages; this is equivalent to French lessons over at least three consecutive school years); students with a lower level of prior knowledge can take intensive courses at the FAU Language Centre (in the winter semester during which they start the degree program as well as during the following lecture free period)
- Curiosity about French and French-speaking countries across the globe
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Due to the internationalization of many companies, a good command of Romance languages is a valuable asset to have in addition to English. It not only makes it possible for you to work abroad, it also increasingly plays an important role when applying for jobs in Germany. Thanks to their language skills, Romance language graduates can therefore find employment in many professional fields. However, they are also particularly in demand in the following areas, where the knowledge of cultural history acquired during their studies stands them in good stead:
- Information processing and documentation
- Journalism
- Libraries and publishing houses
- Media
- Adult education and other forms of language teaching
- Intercultural areas involving economics, politics and culture (as in tourism or public relations, or at national and international institutions).
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Information on spending a semester abroad at one of our partner universities is available under International affairs. The Central Office for International Affairs gives information on how to plan and organize your stay abroad under “Studying abroad”. This page provides information about the various programs in a series of presentations a few weeks after the lecture period starts. Please do not hesitate to contact the International Office at our faculty if you have any questions.
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Degree program combinations
- Archaeological Sciences
- Book Studies
- Business and Economics
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural History of Christianity
- Education
- English and American Studies
- German studies
- Hispanic Studies
- History
- Indo-European and Indo-Iranian Studies
- Islamic Religious Studies
- Italian Romance Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Latin Philology
- Oriental Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Scandinavian Studies (BA)
- Theater and Media Studies
Das Lehrangebot dieser Kombination ist so aufeinander abgestimmt, dass die Fächer in der Regel überschneidungsfrei miteinander kombiniert werden können.
Limited degree program combinations
- Art History
- Computational Linguistics
- Digital Humanities and Social Sciences
- Geography: Cultural Geography as a two subject Bachelor's degree program
- Greek Philology
- Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin
- Sociology
Diese Kombination kann nur nach einer diesbezüglichen Studienberatung studiert werden. Die Überschneidungsfreiheit kann jedoch nicht garantiert werden. Die Studierenden tragen selbst die Verantwortung für die Studierbarkeit der Kombination und die Einhaltung der Fristen des § 10. Der Nachweis einer Studienberatung ist bei der Immatrikulation vorzulegen.
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- No Admissions Restrictions
- Application deadline winter semester
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30.09.
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- DSH 2 or equivalent
- General language skills
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According to Section 29 of the General Degree Program and Examination Regulations (ABMStPO/Phil), students are required to provide proof of proficiency in English and one other foreign language by the end of the 4th subject semester, although only one of both languages may be the subject studied. Students who are studying a Romance language and English are therefore required to provide evidence of proficiency in a third foreign language. Any language that is not the student’s native language counts as a foreign language. Language skills can be proven, for example, by three consecutive years of language courses at school with a minimum grade of “sufficient” in the final certificate, by successfully completing language courses at the level UNIcert I or by completing the Latinum examination.
For the Bachelor’s degree in French Studies we recommend a knowledge of French equivalent to three consecutive school years or level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
If your language skills are not yet at this level, we would urge you to take the relevant language courses before starting to study. Further information is available from the Language Centre at FAU Erlangen.
Please first register for the French placement test at the Language Centre. Appointments are offered from the beginning of September until lectures start.
- Details and notes
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The application deadline for the winter semester for international applicants is July 15th.
In addition to the general qualification for university entrance (Abitur), there are other access options for studying at FAU.
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.