About this course
This degree offers you flexibility and variety. You'll become fluent in an internationally important language, and gain a deep understanding of contemporary French culture. Your history modules will give you a global perspective on past societies. You'll spend a year in a French-speaking country to develop your language skills and boost your employability.
French is spoken in countries throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. Speaking the language with confidence will open up travel and work opportunities across the world.
You’ll start your language studies at the right level based on your existing ability in spoken and written French. You’ll have excellent resources to support you at the Centre for Language Study.
You can explore a wide range of topics in History, including conflict and culture in world histories, empires, and the First World War.
As well as studying French and History, you’ll develop advanced analytical skills.
A special module in year 2 will make sure you’re ready for working and studying abroad in year 3. You can spend the year in countries such as:
France
Belgium
Switzerland
Belgium
Canada
Guadeloupe
Martinique
La Réunion
You can download the course details, including modules, in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 358.5 KB).
Location and awarding body
The course location is Avenue campus in Southampton. The awarding body is University of Southampton.
Entry requirements
A-levels
AAB including Grades AB in History (or a related subject*) and French
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. *Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 6 and 5 at Higher Level in History (or a related subject*) and French
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
*Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.
BTEC
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus A in A level History (or a related subject*) and A in A level French.
Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in A level History (or a related subject*) and A in A level French.
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus A in A level History (or a related subject*) and A in A level French.
BTEC additional information
*Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Other qualifications
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
ABB including Grades AB in History (or a related subject*) and French, and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
ABB including Grades AB in History (or a related subject*) and French
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) StatementPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 62.17 KB) for further information.
Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC (RQF) (reformed)
Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus A in A level History (or a related subject*) and A in A level French.
Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus A in A level History (or a related subject*) and A in A level French.
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A in A level History (or a related subject*) and A in A level French.
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit, to include 6 Distinctions in History or a related subject*, plus A in A level French
Access to HE Diploma additional information
*Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including History (or a related subject*) and French
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A2 A2 A2 B1 B1 B1 including History (or a related subject*) and French at A2 and B1
Irish Leaving Certificate additional information
*Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Scottish Qualification offers
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF, 111.01 KB) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 M2 in three principal subjects including History (or a related subject*) and French
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
*Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB from 3 A levels including Grades AB in History (or a related subject*) and French
or
AA from two A levels including History (or a related subject*) and French and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. *Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
European Baccalaureate
80% overall including grade 8.5 and 8 in History (or a related subject*) and French
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.
Band C IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 6
- writing
- 6
- speaking
- 6
- listening
- 6
We also accept other English language tests.
Non-academic entry requirements
There are no additional requirements
International qualifications
Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.
This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Other ways to qualify
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Course structure
You'll study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. Compulsory modules build your mastery of French and History, and our wide range of optional modules allow you to tailor your learning to suit your interests and ambitions.
You can also take modules from different subject areas, or learn another language.
We use our system of 7 language levels to work out your proficiency in French and give you the best start. We can then make sure our teaching develops your skills as effectively as possible.
Year 1
You’ll take compulsory modules in both French language and world history. You'll also choose from module options on topics such as:
Reagan’s America
the making of modern French
Joan of Arc: the history behind the myth
modern French culture
Year 2
You’ll continue to improve your French language skills and have the opportunity to concentrate on your own particular interests. You'll also take a module to prepare you for your year abroad.
Other module options include:
the EU and European identity
the United Kingdom in the 1960s
urban nightlife in the 19th and 20th centuries
the beginnings of English dominance, 1050-1300
immigration, race and ethnicity in France
conflicts, crisis and identities in the Francophone context
Year 3
You'll spend a year abroad doing one of the following:
working as an English language assistant
working on an approved work placement
studying on a university course
You'll also do an investigative study project.
Find out more about the year abroad.
Year 4
You can choose to do a dissertation in French language or History with guidance from a supervisor. You’ll continue to master French as well as explore your special interests after your experiences abroad.
Module choices include topics such as :
Ancient Egypt in context
medieval love, sex and marriage
fragmented France: cultures and identities in transition
refugees in the twentieth century
radical England from Shakespeare to Milton
translation: theory and practice
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Modules year 1
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 1:
- Academic Skills for ML students
- French Language Stage 4
- World Histories: Contact, Conflict and Culture from Ancient to Modern
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 1:
- A Tudor Revolution in Government?
- Applications of Linguistics
- Cities of the Dead: Death, Mourning and Remembrance in Victorian Britain
- Death in the Ancient World
- Elements of Linguistics - Sound, Structure and Meaning
- German Jews in Great Britain
- God's Own Land: Exploring Pakistan's Origins and History
- Joan of Arc: History behind the Myth
- Liberte, Egalite, Beyonce: Women’s History in Modern Britain
- Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité
- Modern French Culture
- Putin and the Politics of Post-Soviet Russia
- Reading Culture
- Reading the City
- Reagan’s America: Capitalism and Cold War
- Russia in Revolution, 1905-1917
- Terrorists, Tyrants and Technology: America’s “War on Terror”
- The End of the World: Apocalyptic Visions of History
- The Long Summer? Edwardian Britain 1901-1914
- The Making of Modern French
- The Real Downton Abbey
- Twentieth-Century China
- When an empire falls: Culture and the British Empire, 1914-1960
- Wonderful things: World history in 40 objects
Modules year 2
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 2:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 2:
- Ancient Greeks at War
- Ancient Rome: the First Metropolis
- Arabian Nights and Days: The World of the 1001 Nights
- Aristocracy to Democracy
- Besieged: Towns in War c.1250-c.1650
- Chivalry, c. 1250-1500
- Conflicts, Crisis and Identities in the Francophone Context
- Discourse Analysis
- Evolution of US Counterterrorism
- Exploring French Linguistics
- From Black and White to Colour: A Screen History of Race, Gender and Sexuality in Post-War Britain
- Globalisation: Culture, Language and The Nation State
- How the Arts Work: a practical introduction to cultural economics
- Humanities University Ambassadors Scheme (Modern Languages)
- Immigration, Race and Ethnicity in France
- Imperialism and Nationalism in British India
- In Hitler's Shadow: Eastern Europe 1918-1939
- Islamism – from the 1980s to the present
- Landscapes of Conflict
- Language, Ideologies and Attitudes
- Learning about Culture: Introduction to Ethnography
- Multilingualism
- Myth and the Ancient World
- Nelson Mandela: A South African life
- Oil Burns The Hands: Power, Politics and Petroleum in Iraq, 1900-1958
- Plague, Fire and Popish Plots: The Worlds of Charles II
- Post-War French Thought
- Power, Patronage and Politics in Early Modern England 1509-1660
- Psycholinguistics
- Ragtime! The Making of Modern America
- Rebels with a Cause: The Historical Origins of Christianity
- Retail Therapy: A journey through the cultural history of shopping
- Roman Emperors and Imperial Lives
- Science on the Street: Science, Technology, Medicine, and the Urban Environment in Modern European Cities
- Self-inflicted - Extreme Violence, Politics and Power
- Sex, Death and Money: the United Kingdom in the 1960s
- Sin and Society, 1100-1500
- Sound and Voice
- Syntax: Studying Language Structure
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- The Age of Discovery? c.1350-c.1650
- The British Atlantic World
- The EU and European Identity
- The Fall of Imperial Russia
- The First British Empire: the beginnings of English dominance, 1050-1300
- The Global Cold War
- The Life and Afterlife of the Vikings
- The Making of Modern India
- The Transatlantic Slave Trade and Abolition in West Africa
- Underworlds: A cultural history of urban nightlife in the 19th and 20th centuries
- Variation and Change in English
- Vienna and Berlin: Society, Politics and Culture from 1890 to the Present
- Visual Culture and Politics: Art in German Society, 1850- 1957
- Wellington and the war against Napoleon
- Witchcraft in England, 1542-1736
Modules year 3
Modules year 4
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 4:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 4:
- A Short History of the Communication Network
- A Short History of the Far Right
- A Short History of the Homosexual
- A Short History of the Populist Leader
- Advanced Syntax
- Audiovisual Translation
- China in the Cold War – Part 1 (The Chronology)
- China in the Cold War – Part 2 (Themes)
- Crime and Punishment in England c.1688-1840 part 1
- Crime and Punishment in England c.1688-1840 part 2
- Emperor Julian and the Last Pagans of Rome Part 1, Julian: hero and apostate
- Emperor Julian and the Last Pagans of Rome Part 2, Julian: hero and apostate
- English as a Global Language
- Fashioning the Tudor Court 1
- Fashioning the Tudor Court 2
- For the Many, not the Few: the History of the British Labour Party (part 1)
- For the Many, not the Few: the history of the British Labour Party (part 2)
- Forging the Raj: The East India Company and Britain’s Asian World, part 1
- Forging the Raj: The East India Company and Britain’s Asian World, part 2
- Fragmented France: Cultures and Identities in Transition
- France under the Nazis, 1940-1944 (Part 1)
- France under the Nazis, 1940-1944 (Part 2)
- French Sociolinguistics: Challenges to Francophonie
- History Dissertation
- Islands and Empires in the Ancient Aegean, Part 1: Ruling the Waves
- Islands and Empires in the Ancient Aegean, Part 2: Island Societies
- Language Teaching Theory and Practice
- Language Testing and Assessment in Society
- Language and the City
- Medieval Love, Sex and Marriage: Part 1
- Medieval Love, Sex and Marriage: Part 2
- Modern Israel Part 1
- Modern Israel Part 2
- Modern Languages Dissertation
- More than Pyramids & Pharaohs? Ancient Egypt in Context
- Nuclear War and Peace, Part I
- Nuclear War and Peace, Part II
- Political Culture in Modern Russia, part 1
- Political Culture in Modern Russia, part 2
- Presenting the past: Museums and Heritage
- Public Service Interpreting
- Racism in the United States 1785-1915 Part 1
- Racism in the United States 1785-1915 Part 2
- Radical England: From Shakespeare to Milton
- Reading Histories
- Refugees in the Twentieth Century 1
- Refugees in the Twentieth Century 2
- Revolutions in Modern Iran Part 1
- Revolutions in Modern Iran Part 2
- Second Language Acquisition
- Sex, Gender and Desire in French Literature and Culture
- Society and Politics in Victorian Britain Part 1
- Society and Politics in Victorian Britain Part 2
- Sociophonetic Project Module
- The 1947 Partition of India and its Aftermath Part 1
- The 1947 Partition of India and its Aftermath Part 2
- The Archaeology and Anthropology of Adornment
- The Crisis of Austria-Hungary Part 1
- The Crisis of Austria-Hungary Part 2
- The Great Exhibition of 1851 Part 2: Legacy
- The Great Exhibition of 1851 Part one: Art, Industry and the making of a Nation
- The Holocaust 1
- The Holocaust 2
- The Vietnam War in American History and Memory part 1
- The Vietnam War in American History and Memory, pt. 2
- Towards Empire: England and the Sea, 1450-1650 (Part 1)
- Towards Empire: England and the Sea, 1450-1650 (Part 2)
- Translation: Theory and Practice
- Travel Writing, Cultural Encounter, Identity in Post-War France
- When the Lights Went Out: Britain in the 1970s, Part 1: 1970-1974
- When the Lights Went Out: Britain in the 1970s, Part 2: 1974-1979
- Writing in a Second Language
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Support for your studies
You'll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
How you’ll spend your study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:
Year 1
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 17%
- Independent study
- 82%
- Placement
- 1%
Year 2
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 16%
- Independent study
- 84%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 3
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 0%
- Independent study
- 100%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 4
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 17%
- Independent study
- 83%
- Placement
- 0%
Course leader
Christopher Prior is the course leader.
How we’ll assess you
We’ll assess you using:
- composition portfolios
- dissertations
- essays
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown, year by year:
Year 1
- Written exam
- 10%
- Practical exam
- 18%
- Coursework
- 72%
Year 2
- Written exam
- 38%
- Practical exam
- 8%
- Coursework
- 54%
Year 3
- Written exam
- 0%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 100%
Year 4
- Written exam
- 23%
- Practical exam
- 5%
- Coursework
- 72%
Careers
As a Modern Languages and History graduate, you can choose from a wide variety of employment options. These will make the most of your skills in:
gathering and interpreting information
working with and leading teams
understanding and adapting to different cultures
Previous graduates have gone on to careers including:
translation
interpreting
teaching
marketing
publishing
international development
advertising, film and television
Many of our graduates go on to further study. Subjects taken include interpreting and translating, law, accountancy, management and international relations.
We put a great focus on developing employability skills throughout your time with us. This includes a compulsory employability module for all first-year students in the faculty.
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Fees, costs and funding
UK/EU fees
You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.
International student fees
You’ll pay £17,560 each year. This fee will stay the same throughout your studies.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Extra costs you might have to pay
- Placements (including Study Abroad Programmes)
- Software Licenses
- Hardware
- Stationery
- Textbooks
- Computer discs or USB drives
- Printing and Photocopying Costs
- Laboratory Equipment and Materials
See the full list of extra items and costs in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 358.5 KB).
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
University life
The University offers a friendly, diverse and welcoming home for you while you study. You'll work, live and socialise with students from more than 130 countries.
Clubs, societies and facilities
Our campuses have:
cafes and restaurants
bars
health centres
banks
a post office
student shops
a hairdresser
Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.
We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.
Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.
Support while you study
We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:
mental health, learning difficulties and disability
money and accommodation
childcare
computers and IT
How to apply
When you apply use:
UCAS Course Code: RV11
UCAS Institution Code: S27
What happens after you apply
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We normally invite all candidates to an interview.
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.