French and Francophone Studies
The French program offers options for beginner and fluent French speakers. In this program you’ll learn about French language and communication. You'll also study French literature, culture and media.
Potential careers
What can you do with a French and Francophone Studies degree? Here are a few jobs that relate to the program:
- communications coordinator
- cultural programs coordinator
- librarian
- archivist
- foreign service officer
- immigration officer
- Intelligence officer
- program manager
- international project coordinator
- translator or interpreter
- human resources coordinator
- student services
- marketing
- territorial sales
- legal professional
- teacher or instructor
- entrepreneur
Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.
Find a career that fits you
- Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
- Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
- Take part in the Career Clarity program to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.
Experience & connections
Opportunities in the French program
- With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.
Opportunities outside your program
- With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
- Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.
Networks you can connect to
Here are a few professional associations related to French:
- Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique
- Society of Translators and Interpreters of BC (STIBC)
- Human Resources Professional Association
- Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CHRP)
- International Association of Accessibility Professionals
- Canadian Communications Association
- Conseil Scolaire Francophone de la Colombie-Britannique
- Société Francophone de Victoria
Hands-on learning opportunities
These courses in the French program offer extensive hands-on learning.
Co-op
Co-op work terms
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience
Course-based
FRAN 265 - Global French Connections
Interact with the French-speaking world through media
FRAN 360 - French Field School Seminar
Learn the language and culture of a francophone country
FRAN 409 - Speech Art in French
Practice advanced listening and speaking skills
Field school
Explore
Go to Quebec or elsewhere in Canada for a summer language program (5 weeks)
FRAN 360 – French Field School Seminar
(international experience)
Spend a month immersed in the language and culture of a francophone country
Internship
Odyssey
Gain bilingual, paid, professional work experience in a Canadian school (9 months)
Research project
FRAN 430 - Studies in French Literatures and Culture before 1800
Prepare a pre-1800 model, artifact or text and present it at a public showing
FRAN 499 - Honours Graduating Essay
Research, write and orally defend a graduating honours essay
Study abroad
Sciences Po (international experience)
Take part in an exchange to France’s preeminent social sciences university
Université du Québec à Montréal
Gain cultural and linguistic experience during a summer immersion program
For more information about study abroad, visit the partner universities page.
Work experience
Work experience work terms
Take part in a modified co-op program requiring one or two work experiences
These courses are not always offered as described.
What you'll learn
Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the French program.
French language
- read and write in French
- speak in French
- use appropriate French grammar, syntax, pronunciation and vocabulary
- prepare and deliver presentations in French
- translate from French into English and from English into French
- understand the historic and contemporary varieties of French
- understand the diversity and global dispersion of contemporary varieties of French
- understand and use the basic ideas in linguistics
- find and use online language tools
- be familiar with online language tools
Literature in French
- be familiar with the literary canon from Canada
- be familiar with the literary canon from France from the medieval period to the present day
- be familiar with the literary canon from other French-speaking areas of the world
- understand literature in French, including Québecois, French-Canadian, French, European, African, Caribbean as well as Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean literature
- understand literary history and movements
- understand genre and styles
Literary interpretation
- critically read literature in French and describe how literary texts generate meaning
- understand major issues in literary criticism and cultural studies
- read literature in relation to literary theory and culture
- use close reading skills and literary terminology such as metre, figurative language, speaker, persona, tone and voice
- identify the critical questions to be asked of a body of material
Historical, social and cultural perspective
- identify the historical, social and cultural context in which a text is produced
- understand how historical, cultural and social contexts impact literary texts
- explore historical, social and cultural perspectives with intellectual curiosity
- consider globalization, nationalism, history and imperialism in the context of literature
- consider postmodernism, post-colonialism and the political and religious context of literature
- consider feminism, ethnicity, race, gender and class in the context of literature
Communication
- recognize and summarize information
- present your ideas in an effective manner
- identify different styles and media
- recognize and understand strategies of communication
- produce a paper, a poster, a podcast, a video or a movie