Why Bachelor of Arts?
Ever been influenced by a French artist, writer or thinker, like Voltaire, Diderot or Sartre? What about the food, films and fashion? France’s cultural impact is undeniable. To this day, French remains the second most studied foreign language, with speakers in every single continent. It’s an official language in 32 countries – and in major international organisations like the United Nations, European Union and NATO.
Intercultural and language skills are valuable across many careers. Whether you’re connecting with your roots or broadening your worldview, mastering French will set you apart in a globalised world.
Overview
Get career-ready with our flexible and future-focused Bachelor of Arts. Our French Studies major offers two streams, tailored for your language level. Starting with the basics, you’ll build your skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking, eventually fully immersing yourself in the language. Learn to construct effective arguments and excel in professional settings. Take advantage of international language learning partnerships, both digital and in-country.
You'll explore France’s culture through courses on French literature, film and contemporary society. Enjoy guest lectures by local and international scholars. Benefit from hands-on learning, including internships and study abroad programs.
Our comprehensive curriculum also sharpens your digital literacy and communication skills. Explore emerging research in French and Francophone studies. Produce creative and critical texts across different genres and media. You’ll graduate with advanced skills in writing, presentation and problem-solving, prepared to thrive in multilingual and professional settings. You’ll be able to pursue careers in international business, diplomacy, teaching, tourism and more.
Key features
Learn to read, write, speak and negotiate in French.- Build your understanding and appreciation of French culture.
- Study France’s influence in modern society.
- Build your professional networks and refine your career direction.
- Choose an industry internship aligned with your goals.
- Immerse yourself in all things French through study-abroad opportunities.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of Arts is flexible, meaning you can tailor your learning to fit your personal interests and career goals. The program is all about ethical and out-of-the-box thinking, designed to help you meet the complex challenges of tomorrow. Become more adaptable. Learn to articulate your ideas clearly and persuasively. Build the versatile, transferable skills employers value – creative thinking, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate and solve complex problems. Develop autonomous learning strategies that will serve you throughout your career.
The French Studies major offers two streams: Beginners – for those new to French or with some school experience – and Continuers, for those with high grades in previous study or native speakers.
Beginning with the basics, you'll learn to chat about your personal life and career goals. As you progress, you'll tackle more complex topics like travel, wellness and recent history. Explore French culture through music, art and cuisine while honing your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. By the time you reach your higher-level courses, you’ll be fully immersed in the French language. You'll be able to confidently discuss sophisticated subjects, from literature to philosophy, and carry yourself competently in professional settings.
You’ll explore French culture – from the impressionist paintings of Monet to the modern cinema of the French New Wave. Depending on your starting level, you’ll take courses in:
- Beginners French: language
- Intermediate French: language and culture
- Upper-intermediate French: language and culture
- Advanced French: language and culture
- France and the Francophone world in the 21st century
- Contemporary French cinema.
You can also tailor your studies to your unique aspirations by taking another major in a different area.
Majors
The Bachelor of Arts is also available with majors in the following:
- Aboriginal Studies
- Archaeology and Classical Studies
- Art History and Visual Culture
- Anthropology
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Creative Writing
- English Literature
- Environmental Management
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Geography
- German Studies
- History
- International Development
- International Security
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Population and Migration Studies
- Screen Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish Studies.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 18 units for Core courses, and
- 96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
- 18 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for all Electives
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Elective 1
|
Course code
AUXX1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 2
|
Course code
AUXX1012
|
Units
6
|
Complete exactly 48 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Contemporary France
|
Course code
LANG2203
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to French and Francophone Literature
|
Course code
LANG3203
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Beginners French A
|
Course code
LANG1205
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Beginners French B
|
Course code
LANG1206
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Intermediate French A
|
Course code
LANG2204
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Intermediate French B
|
Course code
LANG2205
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Upper-Intermediate French A
|
Course code
LANG3204
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Upper-Intermediate French B
|
Course code
LANG3205
|
Units
6
|
Complete exactly 48 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to French and Francophone Literature
|
Course code
LANG3203
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Intermediate French A
|
Course code
LANG2204
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Intermediate French B
|
Course code
LANG2205
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Contemporary France
|
Course code
LANG2203
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Upper-Intermediate French A
|
Course code
LANG3204
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Upper-Intermediate French B
|
Course code
LANG3205
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced French A
|
Course code
LANG3206
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced French B
|
Course code
LANG3207
|
Units
6
|
Complete one Major from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Studies
|
Course code
ABORBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Anthropology
|
Course code
ANTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Archaeology and Classical Studies
|
Course code
ARCYBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Art History and Visual Culture
|
Course code
ARTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing
|
Course code
CREWBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
English Literature
|
Course code
ENGLBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Management
|
Course code
ENVMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Geography
|
Course code
GEOGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
German Studies
|
Course code
GERMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Chinese Studies
|
Course code
CHINBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Cultural Studies
|
Course code
CULTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Gender and Sexuality Studies
|
Course code
GENDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
History
|
Course code
HISTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Development
|
Course code
INTDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Security
|
Course code
INTSBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Italian Studies
|
Course code
ITALBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese Studies
|
Course code
JAPNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
|
Course code
LINGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy
|
Course code
PHILBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Politics
|
Course code
POLIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Population and Migration Studies
|
Course code
POPUBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Screen Studies
|
Course code
SCRNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Sociology
|
Course code
SOCIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Spanish Studies
|
Course code
SPANBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Social Research and Policy Analysis
|
Course code
SOCRBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Kaurna Languages
|
Course code
KAURBARTS
|
Units
48
|
Career outcomes
The cross-cultural skills you gain at Adelaide University will set you up for success in international and multilingual professions. You might negotiate sustainability policies with leaders in Pacific Island nations. You could orchestrate an international festival in the heart of Paris – or take it online as a virtual reality event. Perhaps you’ll work in translating, teaching or tourism.
Other potential careers include:
- Cultural liaison
- Interpreter
- Foreign correspondent
- Diplomat
- Public servant
- Foreign service officer
- Immigration specialist
- Legal assistant
- Market research analyst
- Import/export coordinator
- PR specialist.
Adelaide University graduates have secured prestigious positions at the Department of Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, French consulates and embassies, media organisations, restaurants and wineries in both South Australia and France.
Industry trends
France is a key economic partner of many countries, including Australia. Your fluency will be a bridge not just to France, but also its territories in the Pacific – such as New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, and French Polynesia. These regions are hotspots for Australasian trade, environmental cooperation, educational exchanges and strategic partnerships.
French cinema, literature and media industries continue to hold significant cultural sway. As global streaming services expand their international offerings, cross-cultural skills in translation, film criticism and international media distribution will be valuable.
Proficiency in French also opens job opportunities in service industries including government, education, healthcare, finance, hospitality, gastronomy, marketing and law.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
