Overview
French is one of the most spoken languages in the world. It’s the only language other than English that is spoken on all five continents (Kochiva, Oct 2025). So there’s plenty of demand in many career sectors for French speakers.
Immerse yourself in French language and culture
Our French degree builds your spoken and written French skills. You'll explore the history, culture and politics shaping the French-speaking world. You’ll:
- develop your French language abilities whether you’re a beginner or already advanced,
- study exciting modules like French literature, cinema and culture of the Francophone world,
- master translation and advanced grammar,
- learn in small interactive classes,
- develop professional skills that are highly valued in the global job market: critical thinking, research, cross-cultural communication.
You can combine French with subjects including Business Studies, Education, Journalism and Law.
Spend a semester abroad
In your third year, you’ll spend a semester studying abroad in France, Switzerland or Quebec, Canada. This is your chance to take your learning into the real world. Develop your fluency and confidence by speaking to native speakers every day. It’s also great opportunity to engage with different cultures.
We have exchange agreements with:
- Universities of Aix, Clermont-Ferrand, Geneva, Laval, Limoges, Nancy, Perpignan, Tours, Angers, and the Institut de Science-Politique (Paris, Dijon, Menton).
- Top-rated business schools such as ESSEC in Cergy-Pontoise, near Paris and the EMS in Strasbourg.
You’ll also complete an independent research project in French. Choose a cultural topic linked to the French-speaking world and explore it in depth. It’s a powerful way to develop advanced language skills that make you stand out to future employers.
Teach overseas as an English Language Assistant
Eligible students can also apply to do a year abroad through the British Council English Language Assistantship programme. You’ll support the teaching of English in a French-speaking, overseas educational institution, usually a school.
Spend extra time abroad, teach English in a real classroom, gain intercultural skills and get paid while doing it. A great experience to boost your CV.
Top reasons to study with us
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
Highers
ABBB
A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree in French and Spanish, you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A level.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Students should note that taking two languages from beginners' level where those languages are core to the programme is pedagogically inadvisable. Any student wishing to go down that route will need the written permission of both the French and Spanish Programme Directors or their appointed representative before being allowed to do so.
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
Advanced Highers
ABB
A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32
Essential subjects
French
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree in French and Spanish, you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A level.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above
Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree in French and Spanish, you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A level.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Advanced entry is not available for this course.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
- TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
You’ll start your French studies in either our advanced stream (for all students who have a Higher French or equivalent) or in our beginners’ stream. If you’re in the beginners’ stream, the focus is on intensive language learning and on building written and spoken language skills across the first semesters of study. Students in our advanced stream study different aspects of the history, politics, and culture of the French-speaking world alongside weekly written and spoken language classes. The two teaching streams merge from semester 4 onwards.
If you are unable to spend Semester 6 abroad, we strongly encourage you to spend at least four weeks in a French-speaking country instead. This is usually done by attending a language school. Other activities may be possible if you discuss them in advance and get approval from your study abroad advisor.
You should also contact the International Office to ask about possible grants. However, you should expect to pay most of the costs yourself. This four-week stay would normally take place during your holiday period.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
You will be taught through a variety of interactive lectures, workshops, tutorials, and small group language classes. The development of high-level language skills and cultural awareness is further encouraged by experienced native-language assistants and through using the latest language-learning software.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed on the skills you’re learning in a range of ways, for example via translations, compositions in French, essays, presentations, blogs, grammar tests and oral exams (individual and group). Single Honours students will write a dissertation in their final semester on a topic of particular interest to them, working under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Students on many other degree combinations including French will have the option of writing a dissertation.
Study abroad
During your studies, you’ll spend a period of residence abroad - usually in Semester 6 - studying at a university or business school in France, Quebec, or Switzerland.
In addition, you will have the option to spend a year abroad between semesters 4 and 5 (typically as a language assistant teaching English in a school). This is a competitive scheme, organised through the British Council and does not replace the requirement for semester 6 Abroad where it is compulsory to a degree programme.
French at Stirling has exchange agreements with the Universities of Aix, Clermont-Ferrand, Geneva, Laval, Limoges, Nancy, Perpignan, Tours, Angers, and the Institut de Science-Politique (Paris, Dijon, Menton) – and with top-rated business schools such as ESSEC in Cergy-Pontoise, near Paris and the EMS in Strasbourg.
If there are compelling reasons for which it is not possible for you to undertake semester 6 abroad, we strongly urge you to spend a minimum of four weeks in a French-speaking country, usually in a language school, or engage in any other activities discussed in advance and approved by your study abroad advisor. You should also seek advice from the International Office on grant availability but expect this minimum residence to be undertaken at your own expense and during vacation time.
Contact
Cristina Johnston, Course Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Students who do not undertake Semester 6 Abroad will be required to fulfil our minimum residence requirement (usually 4 weeks spent in a French-speaking country, often at a language school). This minimum residence is undertaken at the student’s own expense and during vacation time.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our Stirling Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
A French degree gives you strong language skills and cultural awareness. You’ll graduate as a confident communicator who adapts easily to new situations. You can also combine this degree with Professional Education to become a secondary school teacher. Graduates from Stirling have gone on to diverse careers including journalism, teaching, marketing and translation.
