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From the Revolution to the modern République, immerse yourself in the history, societies and cultures of France and the French-speaking world.
Year of entry: 2025/26
Show year of entry: 2024
R1V1
Y50
4 years full-time
AAB (full entry requirements)
September 2025 (semester dates)
in French studies (National Student Survey 2024)
Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Complete University Guide 2025
Delve into studies of the past, exploring French languages and cultures as you go. Spend a year abroad and discover new ways of viewing the world.
At York, you can choose:
We have a distinctive approach to studying languages. From the start, you'll be taught in the language you are learning. Our expert staff, many of whom are first language speakers, will support you to develop your fluency and communication skills rapidly. If you choose a language as a beginner (ab initio), you’ll join post-A level students in your second year. You’ll be amazed how much you can achieve.
You'll join two departments which are highly respected for their research, scholarship and teaching. Combining French studies with History will allow you to uncover the forces that have shaped modern societies and cultures, as well as the issues prevalent today in French-speaking countries. You'll graduate with an exciting perspective of history and your place in the world.
You’ll join a vibrant modern languages community, with regular language and community events and talks. We’re a highly international department, and have excellent partnerships with other universities and organisations which you can work with during your year abroad.
If you want to extend your language learning even further, you can choose elective modules from a wide range of languages or take extracurricular classes as part of our Languages for All programme.
You can choose to study one of four languages with History (including French).
At York, you'll benefit from being able to take TEFL modules in-house, as part of your degree. You can count the work you complete in your TEFL modules towards a CertTESOL qualification. This teacher training programme (also offered in-house) can qualify you to teach English to non-native speakers, including on your year abroad.
The French side of the course at York focuses on current, relevant issues which really make you think and engage with the language. The history side allows you to learn from experts in their fields, and you get a really firm understanding of the world that we live in.Hugh, BA History and French
Your language modules will explore the society and cultures of French-speaking societies and you'll be taught almost exclusively in French. These modules will help you to develop the transcultural and linguistic knowledge you'll need to become a high-level communicator. As you progress through your course, not only will you develop your conversational fluency, but also your ability to discuss complex ideas in formal French.
Your history modules will cover a broad sweep of history across different times and places, and you'll emerge with greater cultural awareness. You'll develop your knowledge of different historical traditions, including historical problems and debates that have shaped our modern world.
Study French from scratch
You can study French ab initio, meaning you don't need to have any knowledge of French before you arrive. You'll study with other ab initio students during your first year, and will focus on improving your language skills, before joining the post-A level students during your second year.
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
In your first year, you'll focus on developing your communication expertise in French and your understanding of languages, particularly in French-speaking cultures and societies.
Post A-level:
Ab initio:
Your History modules will challenge you to think critically about the power of knowledge and belief in different cultures over time. You'll also debate the value of historical evidence.
You'll also choose between the following:
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In your second year, you further develop your written and oral communication skills in French, alongside your ability to critically analyse a range of cultural and social phenomena in the French-speaking world. In History, you'll begin to focus your studies, and develop some key skills ahead of your final-year special subject and optional dissertation.
You will study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Languages modules:
History modules:
The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. For further information please get in touch.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
You'll be required to complete at least one semester of study at a university during your year abroad. We assist you in setting up overseas university study, teaching or work placements, and offer guidance on all aspects of the year. You can even get a CertTESOL qualification to teach English to non-native speakers before you go. See our current year abroad pages for more information.
You'll complete two assignments while on your year abroad. These are assessed on a pass/fail basis and do not contribute to your final degree grade.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
You'll study one core language module in your final year. You'll hone your plurilingual communicative proficiency in French, through in-depth research and analysis of key aspects of French-speaking cultures and societies.
You will also take take one History Special Subject option (taken in two parts, one per semester) and at least one option in Languages. You can also choose to do a History Dissertation or a comparative history option. Alternatively, you can choose to study two elective modules from another department. Examples of option modules may include:
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
At York, we are unique in teaching all of our core language modules in their language of study. Our students develop fluency and confidence quickly, benefiting wholly from this approach.
York is the perfect place to be inspired to study the past, with a rich and turbulent history stretching back to the Romans. Today the city boasts beautiful historic architecture, as well as a variety of museums and archives.
Without a doubt, my favourite thing about studying at York is the incredible memories of my year abroad. The year abroad improved my confidence and speaking skills so much. I wish I could go back every day!Caitlin, BA French and Spanish (with a year abroad)
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £25,800 |
Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
Set texts are available from the Library or online, but you may wish to buy your own copy for some modules. These typically cost between £10 and £30. For ab-initio languages you may need to buy books with a total cost of £50 to £60. Second hand books are often available more cheaply.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
Find out more about funding specific to Languages and Linguistics.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
A highlight of studying History at York is the opportunity to get involved in activities. You can socialise with like-minded people. The community of history students is very diverse.Lauren, BA English/History
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
We offer you extra study support in several ways. Our Peer Assisted Learning programme gives you the opportunity to work with other students.
Our focus at York is on effective communication in your language of study. That is why:
In the first year of your degree, you will typically have between 9 and 11 hours of contact time per week per semester. You will spend 3 to 4 hours in lectures, and 6 to 7 hours in seminars or workshops.
Contact hours in the second and final year can vary depending on individual module choices.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 5 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 6-7 hours per week |
| Workshops | 7 hours |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
We have our own Languages e-Lab for teaching. Here, you'll have access to a variety of resources, including specialist linguistics software and online language-learning materials.
We are home to the Borthwick Institute for Archives, a major archive repository in Britain. It holds the records of the Archbishopric of York from the early thirteenth century onwards, and specialises in the study of ecclesiastic institutions.
There are several other important archives housed at York, including the JB Morrell Library and the Raymond Burton Library for Humanities Research. These contain collections covering subjects such as the British Civil Wars, French Revolution and Modern Asian history. Find out more about our libraries.
You will be based in the Language and Linguistic Science buildings on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
You'll be assessed in a variety of ways, including essays, projects, presentations, and written and oral exams. Assessments include formative work which will help you practise or develop skills, but will not count towards your final degree mark.
Starting from your second year, formal assessments contribute toward your degree. You'll be assessed using a range of methods, including essays, research projects, written exams, group projects and presentations. In French, you'll also take oral exams to test your ability to discuss your knowledge and understanding of francophone cultures and societies.
Your year abroad is assessed. If you are studying at a university, you must satisfactorily attend courses and complete two assessments in the language of study which will be submitted to York during the year. If you are on a teaching assistantship, you must satisfactorily carry out your teaching duties. However, your marks on the year abroad assessments do not contribute towards your overall degree mark.
We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities. However, if you have dyslexia please note that it is not possible to make adjustments in the marking of work written in a closed language exam. This is because accurate spelling is one of the assessment objectives for language exams. Closed exams make up only a proportion of the assessment types used for languages. There are other assessment types such as coursework and oral presentations which are also used. As a student with dyslexia you could apply for extra time in closed exams, if this would be of assistance. See the University's disability support pages for further details.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels |
|
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction including at least 9 credits in History modules, and 9 credits at Merit or higher. |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD with an additional A Level or equivalent qualification in either History or Classical Civilisation at grade A |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 including D3 in History. |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall including 85% in History |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points, including 6 in History at Higher Level |
| T levels | We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in History has been taken. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Post A-Level route: Advanced Highers - BB in History and French, plus Scottish Highers - BB Ab initio route: Advanced Highers - B in History, plus Scottish Highers - BBBB We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You can take the language part of this programme ab initio (from scratch, or with a qualification at AS level or below), or you can study on a route designed for those who have an A level in this language.
Our language programmes are designed to develop fluency. For this reason we do not normally offer places to native or near-native speakers who wish to study their own language.
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve A or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
| MOOCs | If you successfully complete our online course Accents, attitudes and identity do let us know, as you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about MOOCs. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
Department of History, Department of Language and Linguistic Science
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