French

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Gain strong skills in French language and communication. Discover a world of Francophone literatures and cultures.

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Degree

Bachelor

Length

4 years

Faculty/School

Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies

Why study French at UBC Okanagan?

Explore a diversity of francophone cultures from around the world. French is the only language other than English spoken on five continents, therefore being proficient in it can facilitate work in nearly every region of the globe.

The language courses are designed to improve skills in reading, composition and oral communication, and foster critical analysis of cultural material as well as intercultural understanding.

Our literature courses cover francophone literatures across historical periods and from a range of geographical regions.

Degree Options

Undergraduate BA students can major or minor in French. Students can declare French as their major at the end of first year.

Students can also complete a general studies BA with a concentration in French, a major in Languages, or a  combined major by satisfying the requirements for a combined major in French and another B.A. program that offers a combined major (currently Art History and Visual Culture, Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, and English). Students can also complete a dual degree program with a BA and Masters of Management.

 

Sample Courses

Our French program offers a wide variety of foundational and advanced courses that cover translation, literature and culture.

These are examples of courses you can enrol in during your studies. View course descriptions for the current academic year. Browse French courses and descriptions in the academic calendar.

FREN 101: Elementary French I
FREN 103: Upper Elementary French I
FREN 122: Language and Literature I
FREN 115: First-Year Oral French Practice I

FREN 215 Second-Year Oral French Practice
FREN 221: Francophone Literature and Textual Analysis
FREN 222: French Language and Style I

FREN 353: Grammar
FREN 357: Translation
FREN 327: Studies in Cinema
FREN 330: Quebecois Literature
FREN 338: French Society and Culture

FREN 419: Studies in Women's Writing
FREN 421: For Adults Only: Fairy Tales in 17th & 18th Century France
FREN 444: French for Work: Professional Oral Performance
FREN 453: Advanced Grammar

Plan your academic journey by exploring the undergraduate academic planning guide designed for Bachelor of Arts students.

Explore customized Program Plans designed to support your journey to graduation and beyond.

Careers and Outcomes

UBC degrees are respected by employers around the globe. Program graduates will have the skills to pursue a career in a variety of fields like,

  • Journalism
  • Non-profit agencies
  • Law
  • Intercultural education
  • Museums
  • International development
  • Teaching
  • Global education
  • Politics and government

The French program aims to prepare students to achieve levels A1, A2, B1, B2 and up to C1 of the the European Common Frame of Reference for Languages, an international benchmark (CEFR).

Studies have shown that professionals with various levels of bilingualism make more money and are more marketable. Careers include tourism, management, business, media, education, as well as civil and foreign services.

Become a French teacher

There is a great need of qualified and dynamic French teachers in BC. After obtaining your BA with a major in French, you can apply to the 16-month Bachelor of Education program to complete a teaching degree.

You can specialize in teaching French as a second language (French Immersion, Core French) or French as a first language (in a Francophone school).

Admission, Fees, Applying

You could soon be studying at one of the world’s top universities. Be sure to review the content below to prepare for attending UBC Okanagan.

Experiential Learning

Expand your horizons while studying abroad, conducting meaningful research, or working in the community with your UBC colleagues.

Learn more about Co-op, Go Global, Undergraduate Research Awards and other opportunities at Experiential Education.

Students are encouraged to broaden their cultural awareness by engaging with the local Francophone community, as well as exchange programs such as the federal government’s Explore program and the Language Assistant program offered in partnership with the French Government.

Espaces francophones is a joint initiative between the Okanagan School of Education (OSE) and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (FCCS) and aims to create a sense of community amongst UBCO’s French speakers.

Global and Close-Knit

At UBC Okanagan, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally ranked, top 5% university while studying in a close-knit learning community. 50% of graduates, from all across the globe, choose to stay in the region.

Discover the Okanagan

A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards, orchards and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan is an inspirational landscape perfect for those seeking leisure or outdoor adventure.

UBC's Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people— the fourth fastest-growing population in Canada.