French and Spanish BA

The emphasis in the BA in French and Spanish is on linguistic proficiency and inter-cultural awareness; language and identity are central to the programme. You will be critically reflecting on a variety of contemporary issues, historical periods and geographical areas (France and Spain, but also for example Latin America and the Francophone Caribbean), explored through a range of media including art, cinema, linguistics and literature. The degree includes residency (average 8 months) in a Francophone or a Spanish-speaking country. Students can begin their studies in either language as a Beginner.

French at Queen’s was 7th in UK for French overall and 2nd for Research in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020. 91% of French students were satisfied in 2019.

French and Spanish highlights

Industry Links

Graduates of French and Spanish have risen to the top in a number of fields, including media, print journalism, translating, marketing, local government, fast-stream Civil Service, and a very wide range of local, national and international companies.

World Class Facilities

Queen’s has an excellent library with an outstanding range of resources in French and Spanish cultures. The Language Centre has state-of-the-art facilities for language learning, and the IT provision more generally is excellent.

Internationally Renowned Experts

French and Spanish at Queen’s are taught by world-leading experts, with particular expertise in medical humanities, postcolonial writing, Latin American culture, Linguistics, Visual Culture, and Golden-Age and eighteenth-century Spanish culture. Research in Languages at Queen’s was ranked 3rd in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment (REF 2014).

Student Experience

Students run lively French and Spanish Societies, and staff offer support through a personal tutoring system, skills development programme and a structured framework for feedback.

Further Study Opportunities

The MRes is a research preparation degree, allowing students to explore in depth a topic of their choice. It is an ideal foundation for a PhD. Other PG courses of possible interest for graduates of French and Spanish include the MA in Arts Management and the MA in Translation.

Global Opportunities

Students taking a BA in French and Spanish have a very genuine opportunity to acquire professional experience in a global context. After stage 2, students will spend a period of residence (normally 8 months or more) in a French- or Spanish-speaking country They undertake an extended period of residence abroad in a French- or Spanish speaking country (typically 8 months), normally working as an English language assistant in a school, or undertaking a paid work placement. Students can also elect to study at a French-or Spanish-speaking university. In addition to the benefits for oral competence, the residence provides a unique opportunity for immersion in one of the cultures of the languages studied. Moreover, the Year Abroad is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity. This feature of our degree programme gives students the opportunity for personal development, and further develops communication and language skills and intercultural awareness. The challenges of living abroad come to be a unique (and unforgettable) stage in their own personal development.