From the Revolution to the modern République, immerse yourself in the history, society and culture of France and the French-speaking world.
Year of entry: 2019
Show year of entry: 2018
VR11
Y50
4 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
AAB (full entry requirements)
September 2019 (term dates)
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Book nowHistory and French combines wide-ranging historical study with practical language training.
You'll develop your language skills, with a focus on becoming a high-level communicator. Your advanced skills in French will allow you new insights into the forces that have shaped modern societies and cultures as well as the issues and debates that prevail in France today. You'll choose from a wide and exciting range of option modules in History spanning both time and place.
You'll join two departments which are highly respected for their research, and you'll graduate with the ability to navigate international and multilingual environments with confidence and professionalism.
In the Times Higher Education's ranking of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework assessment, the Department was second overall for research performance
Spend your third year studying at a French university. You'll develop your language skills while gaining a different perspective on the history of France and the world
Your historical studies will begin by exploring different ways of studying the past, covering a wide range of historical periods and cultures. As you progress you'll focus on particular topics and issues, and develop specialist knowledge.
Your language and cultural studies are taught almost exclusively in French. You'll focus on developing effective communication skills through the in-depth study of issues that shape the French-speaking world. As you progress through the course, not only will you develop your conversational fluency, but also your ability to discuss complex ideas in formal French.
Spending your third year studying in France gives you a chance to put your language skills into practice. You'll experience different ways of teaching and learning, and gain new perspectives on world history.
The third year of the French and History degree is spent at a university in France, and there are other opportunities for field trips with some modules. There are also several other study options here at York:
In the first year of your course, you will focus on improving your accuracy and communication expertise in French. In History you'll explore a range of approaches to studying the past, and take in a panoramic view spanning several centuries.
You'll also choose one of the following modules:
In addition to the core French modules, you'll either choose a linguistics module, or you can opt to study a language through our Languages For All programme.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In your second year you'll begin to focus your historical studies, and develop some key skills ahead of producing your final-year dissertation. In French, you will further develop your critical analysis skills by examining sources and communicating your findings.
You'll study one core History module:
You'll choose one Histories and Contexts module (20 credits). You'll typically be able to choose from around eight options:
Finally, you'll also choose one Explorations module (30 credits). We usually offer around 18 options for you to choose from:
You'll choose two of the following modules (20 credits each):
Most linguistics modules require you to have taken certain modules in your first year.
You will have the choice of either spending a year studying at one of our partner universities, or spending a semester studying at a university and another semester on a work placement.
Our partner universities are Tours, Aix-en-Provence, or Paris (Panthéon-Sorbonne). You'll study a mixture of History and French modules. If you've chosen to do a History dissertation in your final year, you will devote a third of your time to this.
In your final year you will hone your fluency in French, with modules designed to consolidate your critical skills through in-depth research and analysis. In History, you'll take a special subject that places emphasis on working with primary sources.
You'll also choose between researching and writing a 10,000 word dissertation on a historical topic of your choice, or undertaking advanced studies of French language and linguistic theory.
You'll choose a Special Subject module (40 credits), typically from around 16 options. These are an advanced, source-based course on specific historical topic, taught through seminars.
You may choose to complete the History dissertation:
You'll choose one option module from the following options (20 credits each). If you choose not to complete the History dissertation, you will select a further two option modules in Language and Linguistics.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
The fees and funding figures below are based on data from 2018 entry. If you take a year abroad or year in industry you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year.
UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK, EU or international student.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
We offer a number of scholarships to help cover tuition fees and living costs.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers accommodation costs and estimated social costs.
The year abroad is something I would never have been brave enough to do if it wasn't an integral part of my degree... it's proving to be one of the most interesting experiences of my life.Lucy, French/History
“Students from all backgrounds achieve consistently outstanding outcomes”
The TEF Panel, Office for Students, June 2018
Our Gold Teaching Excellence Framework award demonstrates our commitment to the delivery of consistently outstanding teaching and learning for our students.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Teaching in your History and French modules takes place in lectures, seminars and discussion groups. We emphasize small-group teaching - seminars in both French and History have typically between 12 and 16 students.
During your French modules you'll interact in the French language throughout. French modules use authentic magazines, films and television to communicate the culture.
As a guide, students on this course typically spend their time as follows:
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures and seminars | 204 hours | 168 hours | 0 hours | 120 hours |
| Placement | 0 hours | 0 hours | 1200 hours | 0 hours |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
The rest of your time on the course will be spent on independent study. This may include preparation for lectures and seminars, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours will vary from person to person. In UK higher education the expectation is that full-time students will spend 1200 hours a year learning.
You will be based in both the Department of History and the Department of Language and Linguistic Science on Campus West.
Your contact hours will be mostly divided between the Spring Lane building and Vanbrugh College, with some teaching taking place in other locations on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Your first-year work doesn't contribute toward your final marks. We recognise that students are only beginning to develop over the course of their degree.
From Year 2 onward, formal assessments contribute toward your degree. Most History modules will let you write a practice essay before assessment.
You'll be assessed using a range of methods, including essays, research projects, written exams, group projects and presentations. In French you'll also take oral exams to test your understanding of the language and culture.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 56% | 62% | 0% | 34% |
| Coursework | 39% | 33% | 100% | 58% |
| Practical exams | 5% | 5% | 0% | 8% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
The French side of the course at York focuses on current, relevant issues which really make you think and engage with the language. The history side allows you to learn from experts in their fields from your first year here, and together with what you learn in French you get a really firm understanding of the world that we live in.Hugh, History/French
The History and French degree cultivates independence and discipline, and also develops your fluency with other cultures. The language and study abroad elements give you the ability to deploy these skills internationally.
Our alumni go on to succeed in a wide variety of industries, including marketing, media and finance, as well as government and non-profit organisations. A large proportion go on to postgraduate study at York and other leading universities.
Our graduates have gone on to work in sectors such as:
You'll develop invaluable transferable skills such as:
I chose to study History and French because it kept my options open for any job opportunities. Having a language made me more employable, and History gave me a boost in international affairs. This was all very promising, considering I want to work in the humanitarian sector.Lauren, History/French
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| A levels |
|
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction including at least 9 credits in History modules, and 9 credits at Merit or higher. An additional A Level or equivalent qualification in French will be required. |
| BTEC | BTEC National Extended Diploma (QCF): DDD. We accept a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels. Additional A Levels or equivalent qualifications in either History or Classical Civilisation, and French will be required alongside any BTEC qualification. |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 including D3 in History and M2 in French Accepted in conjunction with A Levels |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall including 8.5 in History and 8 in French |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points including grade 6 in History and French at Higher Level |
| Irish leaving Certificate | H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 including H1 in History and H2 in French |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | AAAAB at Higher Level AB at Advanced Higher Level, including History and French |
IELTS: 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all units
Pearson (Academic PTE): 61 overall with 51 in all parts
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): Grade A
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: Grade C
To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
All applications must be made through UCAS.
We encourage mature students to email the Admissions Tutor for consultation and advice. We also consider applications for deferred entry and requests, after taking up an offer, to take a gap year.
Get in touch if you have any questions
Department of History, Department of Language and Linguistic Science
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