French and Portuguese (4 Years) [BA]

BA (Hons) French and Portuguese

Provides a comprehensive grounding in French language, literature, culture, history and linguistics. It enables students to become proficient enough in French to live and work effectively in a French-speaking environment.

French

• Throughout the course students will be trained in modern spoken and written French by following a high level core language course. From Year One, students will discover how the language really works by learning about its morphology, syntax, phonology and phonetics.
• Students will thoroughly develop your French language skills by working with a variety of oral and written French texts and engaging in discussions in French (most of this language instruction takes place in French and is predominantly taught by native speakers).
• Core language courses at all levels of study are complemented by a variety of other French and Francophone-related topic areas, and by a period spent in a French-speaking country, which might be metropolitan France or further afield.  Independent, monitored self study will reinforce your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.
• Students also take a set of broad-based content courses designed to provide essential grounding in key areas of French culture (especially visual studies), literature, history, society and linguistics.  Some of the content teaching on these courses, in the first and subsequent years, is in English, so that you can focus fully on the new concepts introduced to you and can hone not only your French language skills, but also your expression and accuracy in English.

Portuguese

• Students will develop a strong grounding in Portuguese language and develop a sophisticated understanding of topics affecting Portuguese speaking populations across the world.
• In Portuguese students will study either European or Brazillian Portuguese throughout the course. Alongside a range of cultural modules in areas such as contemporary culture, colonialism, literature and cinema from Brazil, Mozambique and Portugal.

The degree is awarded as a single class, based on the marks achieved in both languages.

• French Studies at the University of Manchester is unique in providing a newly-revised core language course within a highly supportive framework which helps you develop your language learning, guiding you in the areas you find more challenging. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of high level skills which are built on firm foundations of the knowledge of French syntax, morphology, phonetics and phonology, taught by a specialised team. In addition to guidance from specialists in the field, you have access to a wealth material and resources available via the University library and the Language Centre.
• A second feature of French Studies is the wide range of non-language courses available, incorporating a research component at all levels, which run from the medieval period to the present day. You can focus on:
  • French culture (including literature, cultural politics; visual arts including photography, illustration and film),
  • French history (for example, the French Enlightenment or aspects of the French experience of the Holocaust or Franco-Algerian relations)
  • Linguistics (the department in unusual in that it has two specialists in French linguistics who offer courses, for example, on aspects of semantics and linguistic variation).
• One of only five UK universities to have external support for both Portuguese and Brazilian native-speaking language teachers.
• Our research across SPLAS found to be the best in the UK
• Excellent resources for Portuguese students, including world leading collections on Lusophone Africa, within John Rylands library

• You will study 60 credits from each discipline
• In your first year you will be equipped with a range of important skills such as linguistic expertise, the ability to read and analyse material, skills in presentation, group work and independent language learning.
• Content courses are broad-based at this level and cover a wide range of topics from the medieval period to aspects of contemporary French and francophone culture.
• Compulsory Portuguese language component for beginners or those with an A-level (or equivalent)
• Compulsory linguistic module and module on Portuguese colonialism

• You may choose to study up to two thrids from either discipline or maintain equal weighting
• You build on the grounding already established. This year's core language course develops that of the previous year and prepares you for the linguistic challenges of your year abroad. The other courses available in your second year are more numerous and specialised than in the first year and include a research component in the second semester of study in which you develop your skills of analysis and information-gathering, working independently or in a group.
• You will continue to develop your Portuguese language
• Further modules focus on cultures of Brazil and Mozambique

• Your third year of study is spent abroad under approved conditions.
• You will have considerable freedom to divide your time between a country where French is spoken and a country where Portuguese is spoken
• For further information on the year abroad please see the residence abroad webpage.

• You may study choose to divide your studies equally between both languages or study up to two thrids from either language
• You will continue with your core French language course and choose additional units from a wide range of even more specialised courses, building effectively on Year Two study. Language study is centred on essay writing, translation into and out of French and oral work involving discussion of texts, debates and presentations. Also available in this year are course units which cover topics closely related to the research interests of individual members of staff. You can write a dissertation on a theme of your choice which can be related to one of your courses. Most students find this an especially rewarding part of their degree course.
• Compuslory language component reflecting the Portuguese you were exposed to in year 3
• Optional modules in cinema or literature
• Optional dissertation with one-to-one supervision from an academic member of staff

Languages qualify you for a wide range of employment.  Your high-level language skills will open up numerous paths with an international dimension (e.g. business, industry and finance).  You will also have excellent all-round communication skills making you a strong contender for openings in the media, PR and similar areas.

In our experience, many graduates go straight into business services, marketing, advertising, management, banking or communications.  Others opt for postgraduate study or further vocational training to become accountants, lawyers, teachers (in England or abroad) or enter the Civil Service. 

Did you know?

• MI5 actively recruit graduates with language skills
• Past students have gone into areas as diverse as Radio Reporting, Advertising, Accountancy, Events Management, Commercial Management and International Sales.
• Graduates from The University of Manchester are amongst the highest paid in the country
• More employers recruit at The University of Manchester than at any other UK university
• The University of Manchester's Careers Service is consistently voted the best in the country by both students and employers
• The School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures is one of the largest and most diverse in the UK and has received the prestigious European Award for Languages from CiLT, the National Centre for Languages.

• The University hold open days twice a year (usually June and October) where you have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about the facilities and courses we offer.

• If your application is successful you will be invited to a visit day specifically for your area of study.  On this day you will find out more about the School and its resources, meet members of staff and current students and discuss study aims and qualifications with admissions staff.

• We do not normally interview applicants.  We make offers after carefully considering your UCAS application.

A level: Grades AAB-ABB including French at grade A

Duration of A level study: Data Code not configured

AS level: Two AS-Levels may be accepted in place of the third A-Level.

Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications.  Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes.

GCSE: Minimum grade C in English Language.

Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University.

International Baccalaureate:

33-36 points overall

Higher Level Requirements

• French 6
• 2 further subjects 6,5 or 5,5

Additional entry requirements

English language:

Candidates must be proficient in the English language, which is the language of instruction and examination at the university.

Acceptable English Language qualifications include IELTS 6.5 (with no individual component below 5.5), CPE grade C, CAE Grade B or another equivalent

To be successful on and to enjoy this course, you will need certain skills and personal qualities. You will need linguistic skills, in order to cope with the language side of the degree. You will need intellectual curiosity, in order to make the most of the diverse range of course units available to you. You will need an interest in immersing yourself in another culture, in order to help you meet the challenges of the year abroad. Finally, you will need dedication and enthusiasm: this is a rigorous degree programme, but committed students have the potential to derive great personal, practical and professional dividends from it.

We welcome applicants who are seeking a return to study.  We may be able to make alternative offers in light of your experience but it is important that you have studied languages to an advanced level (please see entry requirements for subject specific criteria).  We may interview you if you have not studied languages recently.

The University of Manchester has now closed all undergraduate full time courses for deferred entry to 2012. If you are a Home/EU student applying through UCAS as a late applicant, for those courses that have vacancies, we will only allow application for 2011

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.  In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.  We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing the places will be subject to availability.

• You will be taught through a mixture of formal lectures, seminars and tutorials.  You will spend approximately 12 hours each week in formal study sessions.  For every hour spent at University you will be expected to complete a further 2 - 3 hours independent study.  You will also need to study during the holiday periods.
• The individual study component could be spent reading, producing written work, revising for examinations or working in the University's Language Centre

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants from the Disability Support Office. Email: disability@manchester.ac.uk