What is the French program about?
French is a major commercial and scientific language used across the European Union, spoken all over the world, and widely used in international relations and diplomacy, journalism and media, science and technology, the creative arts, and tourism.
A number of the world’s significant humanitarian organisations – the United Nations, International Red Cross, Doctors (and Reporters) without Borders, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the International Olympic Committee – use French as an official language, and more people in Africa speak the language than in Europe.
Not only is France the most visited country in the world, many other popular and exclusive travel destinations including Canada, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Mauritius, Reunion and the Seychelles, use French as an official language.
The rich culture that derives from French can be felt on every continent and spans medieval texts to contemporary arts – from Descartes to Simone de Beauvoir; the Palais de Versailles to the Tour Eiffel; Couperin to Ravel; Edith Piaf to Céline Dion; and Renoir to Magritte – making French a continually fascinating and useful area of study.
"We offer training in the skills needed for the efficient acquisition of a foreign language so that you will become increasingly independent in your journey towards effective communication with French speakers."
It's a big “oui” to the University Connections Program
"By the time I got to Year 12 I went, hang on a minute, I have done all this stuff in Year 11. I thought I’d like to challenge myself, get some more experience, and if it became part of my degree, even better. I got to start second year French straight away. I was credited my first year French into my degree."
Why study French with us?
For an experience to write home about, take part in our student exchange program that gives you access to a range of highly regarded partner institutions French-speaking countries and the chance to travel. Generous scholarships are also available.
Develop your ability in all four essential French language skill sets – reading, writing, speaking and listening – whether you are new to the language or have prior knowledge or experience.
Taught in English, our French Studies units give you specialist knowledge of society, culture, politics and economics in the French-speaking world.
Broaden your knowledge of global cultures and languages by combining your studies in French with programs in German, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and Asian Studies also available through the School of Humanities.
Undertake a major (eight units) in French on-campus in Hobart and Launceston, or anywhere online.
What careers relate to French?
With demonstrable language skills in French, you can enhance any career and open doors for employment overseas. Graduates from our French program have successfully applied for competitive scholarships in Europe, and pursued postgraduate study at universities in the region.
Become an effective global citizen with a better understanding of the fundamental changes taking place in this dynamic region of the world. Demonstrate you have developed skills in intercultural understanding, communication and team work, independent research and leadership – all skills sought after by employers anywhere.
- Advocacy and counselling
- Arts and heritage
- Communications and public relations
- Education
- Linguistics
- Finance
- Foreign relations and international aid
- Healthcare and healthcare ethics
- Historian
- Interpreter or translator
- Journalism and publishing
- Law
- Manager in private and public enterprises
- Marketing and advertising
- Politics and public policy-making
- Psychology
- Public health and welfare
- Researcher
- Trade and foreign exchange
- Tourism and travel operator
- Writer
How can I learn French?
Many people who undertake a major in French do so to master the language itself, or as a valuable adjunct to other study in their undergraduate degree. French is also a popular choice as the Arts major in combined degrees with Business, Science, Fine Arts and Education.
This major (eight units) involves core and elective units in French which can be identified with HEF in the unit code. The program provides you with a structured pathway through French language learning (written and spoken), as well as units on modern French society, literature, politics and popular culture.
Interested in studying with us? Explore our course and research opportunities below.
Each course and unit is linked to its own page with more detailed information and entry requirements on the Courses & Units website.
Your learning experience in French goes beyond the lecture and tutorials.
You will be taught by experts, and gain perspective from guest lecturers and forums; gain a competitive advantage with real-world experience prior to graduation; study abroad for a fortnight, a month, a semester or a year, as part of your degree; have options to complete your studies your way, whether on-campus, online, part-time or full-time; pursue your passion or specialisation with a range of scholarships, bursaries and financial assistance programs, or meet your career goals with our pathway options.
Take your passion for ideas further than you ever imagined.
We offer a collegial, supportive environment, with experienced supervision, regular seminar series, research skills training, and many opportunities to work with peers and academics on your areas of interest. We supervise across a range of methodologies and conceptual/theoretical approaches, and encourage scholarship that draws on ideas from across diverse fields.
Choose a research topic that reflects your interests and identify a supervisor with the expertise to guide you in your research. Search for a discipline staff member via our staff profiles, or by an area or expertise.
The School of Humanities welcomes qualified applicants to undertake a research degree with us in any of our areas of research strengths and interests.
Masters by Research
Doctorates (PhD)
To find out about application procedures, entry requirements, and scholarships, refer to College of Arts, Law and Education Research Degrees.
Our research in European Cultures & Languages
Our program has particular research strengths in both the innovative cutting-edge work of France and Germany’s young poets and in the classical writers who have made France and Germany famous for literature, drama and poetry.
Many of our research students work within these disciplines but we also actively advocate for projects that move beyond strict disciplinary boundaries, while being theoretically grounded. Our research strengths include the following areas:
- Translation and interpretation studies
- French and German language
- Comparative language studies
- French and Francophone literature
- Austrian, German, and Swiss literature
- Comparative literature studies
- Poetry and communication
- Contemporary German poetry
- Politics and poetry
We welcome proposals from qualified applicants to undertake research degrees at both the Masters and PhD levels, and are pleased to discuss proposals that cross disciplinary boundaries.
