The graduate entry Bachelor of Letters (French) is a 108-unit program for which 72 units of block credit is automatically granted on the basis of completion of a prior bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification. The Bachelor of Letters (French) normally requires part-time study over three years or six consecutive semesters. It is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law.

Students in the French stream can be accommodated at either beginners’ or intermediate (equivalent to Year 12 SACE continuers level) levels of linguistic competence.

The stream undertaken by the student will be identified on the student’s transcript of academic record and on the parchment presented to the student on completion of the course.

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. The Faculty Board may, however, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Course aims

The course aims to:

  • foster the development of proficient levels of linguistic, socio-cultural and communicative competencies in French
  • expose students to a wide body of specific and cross-disciplinary knowledge relative to linguistic and cultural knowledge and practices (grammar, literature, translation, cinema, etc) relative to the language of study
  • develop students ability to analyse and respond to written and visual texts of varying difficulty relative to the language of study
  • develop students'' awareness of local and global communities of speakers relative to the language of study
  • train students to form broad conceptual understandings of issues relating to cross-and intercultural communication
  • provide opportunities for metacognitive training to enhance language acquisition and maximise opportunities to progress in language learning within and beyond the classroom.

The course also aims to provide students with:

  • a sound basis of knowledge in their chosen area of study
  • the ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired
  • the ability to communicate effectively in a range of ways
  • the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  • the skills to connect across geographical, disciplinary, social and cultural boundaries
  • an understanding of the value of ethical behaviour

Learning outcomes 

On the completion of the Bachelor of Letters in French, students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

  • the ability to communicate at a proficient level of competence in the target language
  • broad knowledge of the language of study
  • critical knowledge of key cultural aspects relative to the language of study
  • an awareness of and have gained an understanding of the communities of the target language speakers
  • knowledge and skills in relation to cross-and inter-cultural communication and be better equipped to interact in a global, yet multilingual and multicultural world
  • knowledge of and respect for local and global cultural and linguistic diversity
  • an awareness of themselves as languages learners and users.

Students will also be expected to be able to demonstrate:

  • a broad and coherent body of knowledge with depth in the underlying principles of their chosen discipline, and as a pathway to lifelong learning
  • initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and scholarship, and ability to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts
  • skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and present a clear exposition of knowledge and ideas
  • critical thinking and judgment in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence
  • application of knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability and in collaboration with others.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Letters (French), a student must complete 36 units from either the Intermediate or Beginners stream as set out below, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

No topic may be counted towards both the Bachelor of Letters and the student’s other bachelor degree.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Stream - French (Intermediate)

36 units comprising

FREN2201 Intermediate French Part 1 (4.5 units)
FREN2202 Intermediate French Part 2 (4.5 units)
FREN3201 Upper Intermediate French Part 1 (4.5 units)
FREN3202 Upper Intermediate French Part 2 (4.5 units)
FREN3301 Advanced French Part 1 (4.5 units)
FREN3302 Advanced French Part 2 (4.5 units)

plus one of

FREN3211 French Cultural Studies 1 (4.5 units)
FREN3212 French Cultural Studies 2 (4.5 units)

plus one of

FREN3311 Extended French Cultural Studies 1 (4.5 units)
FREN3312 Extended French Cultural Studies 2 (4.5 units)

OR

Stream - French (Beginners)

36 units comprising

FREN1201 Introductory French Part 1 (4.5 units)
FREN1202 Introductory French Part 2 (4.5 units)
FREN2201 Intermediate French Part 1 (4.5 units)
FREN2202 Intermediate French Part 2 (4.5 units)
FREN3201 Upper Intermediate French Part 1 (4.5 units)
FREN3202 Upper Intermediate French Part 2 (4.5 units)

plus one of

FREN2211 French Culture and Society 1 (4.5 units)
FREN2212 French Culture and Society 2 (4.5 units)

plus one of

FREN3211 French Cultural Studies 1 (4.5 units)
FREN3212 French Cultural Studies 2 (4.5 units)