French

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Undergraduate Major

Faculty of Education and Arts

Description

French at the University of Newcastle is tightly oriented towards the study of the French language. There are no explicit literature, history or civilization topics addressed specifically in any of the FREN-prefixed courses that make up our undergraduate offering. The study of these non-language-focused area studies is available at Honours level and is designed to allow students to go on to do postgraduate work in French Studies.

At undergraduate level, the French major sits in the BA and can also studied concurrently with other programs as part of the Diploma of Languages. The French major is designed to be followed sequentially, with students beginning their sequence at one of two entry points:

Sequence 1): Beginners

Students can study French with no previous knowledge of the language. In this case, their major sequence would be as follows: Year One (sem 1: FREN1100 / sem 2: FREN1200); Year Two (sem 1: FREN2610 / sem 2: FREN 2620); Year Three (sem 1: FRE3610 / sem 2: FREN 3620).

Sequence 2): Post-HSC

Students who have studied French at school to the level of the HSC tend to begin their studies at intermediate, 2000, level:

Year One (sem 1: FREN2610 / sem 2: FREN 2620); Year Two (sem 1: FRE3610 / sem 2: FREN 3620); Year Three (sem 1: FREN3701 / sem 2: FREN3702).

All French courses make extensive use of online resources via UoN's virtual learning environment, Blackboard. Much of the teaching is still, however, delivered via small groups. Our 2000- and 3000-level courses are taught via four hours of face-to-face teaching; 1000-level courses are the same, but there is also a weekly hour scheduled for in-class tests. These four hours are made up of two two-hour language classes. FREN3701 and FREN3702 are upper-level classes focusing on grammar and translation, respectively; these courses are offered entirely online.

Students who major successfully in French (regardless of their point of entry) will find themselves equipped to read, speak and write French with a high degree of fluency. Students also have the opportunity to apply for Kelver Hartley support throughout their major. The Kelver Hartley bequest sends a number of students, typically in the final year as undergraduates, to the Université de La Rochelle to study for six months.

See the School of Humanities and Social Sciences web site for more information about the French major.

View our Bachelor of Arts in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.

View our Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.

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Some occupations require a higher level of completed study than an undergraduate degree, and for this reason it is worthwhile considering the range of Honours, Research Higher Degrees, Postgraduate Coursework programs and additional study option available. These options may also be useful for specialising in a particular area, or to stimulate career change. Some of the future options following the Bachelor of Arts include:

Honours: Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Postgraduate Study:

Research:
Master
PhD

Coursework
After completing a degree there are a broad range of postgraduate options available in a variety of fields which can allow you to specialise in a particular area of interest or build upon your existing knowldege base. To explore such options, please visit the Postgraduate Handbook.

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Sample Jobs

The following list provides some example jobs for the French major. some of these jobs will depend upon the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, and the combination of other majors and electives studied, for example some may require further study.

Getting the Edge

Most employers seek to recruit people who have relevant work experience and an appreciation for their industry. Here is a check list of ideas about gaining experience and industry knowledge.

  1. Check the type of experience most employers in your field of interest expect. Don’t overlook the part time work you may be currently doing. Most employers understand that the skills are transferrable even if the work is not in their industry.
  2. Check your academic program for any courses that involve a placement or the opportunity to undertake an industry based project.
  3. Check your school for Summer Scholarships for research opportunities.
  4. Check vacancy sites for advertised traineeships, part time employment and vacation work opportunities in your field.
  5. Source and approach organisations directly about possible work shadowing or information interview opportunities.
  6. Source and approach organisations directly for paid work opportunities.
  7. Consider volunteering.

Note: Gaining experience may be important but not at the expense of your studies. Make sure you do not overload your timetable with unrealistic work commitments.

 

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Sample Employers

French language graduates find employment opportunities in a wide variety of industries in small, medium or large organisations. Below is an example of some of the large organisations that recruit this major. Check employers' websites for a section called Employment, Careers, Graduate Programs or similar titles. Some of these employers may offer vacation work opportunities.

Recruitment Timing

Some large organisations have specific graduate recruitment programs designed to employ the pick of graduates each year. You must be in your final year of study or recently completed to apply for these programs. The timing of these recruitment drives varies and may occur at any point in the academic year, in some cases starting as early as the first few weeks of the first semester or trimester.

Find out if employers in your area/s of interest have graduate programs, when they typically recruit and what recruitment methods they use. Check with the Careers Service .

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Societies and Associations

Associations and societies often provide relevant and up to date information about a variety of issues relating to specific industry sectors. These can be a good starting point to learn more about occupations through profiles, industry news, links to academic journals and information on research developments. Many also offer student membership, conference and professional development activities, newsletters and the opportunity to participate in projects.

Associations and societies often provide relevant and up to date information about a variety of issues relating to specific industry sectors. These can be a good starting point to learn more about occupations through profiles, industry news, links to academic journals and information on research developments. Many also offer student membership, conferences and professional development activities, newsletters and the opportunit to participate in projects.

 


Don’t overlook student societies and associations. As well as student chapters of professional associations, some faculties or schools have discipline based student associations. Check your school or faculty web site; perhaps you might start one if one doesn’t exist.

Some academic disciplines run Seminar Programs that involve regular seminars presented by University of Newcastle academics, visiting academics and postgraduate students. Check your schools website for the timetable.

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Job Search Sites

Searching job sites is a good way to gain an understanding of: industries recruiting professionals in this field; types of roles and the requirements or expectations of employers for these roles. There are many online job search sites, here are a few to start with:

Australian and International

  • CareerHub: the University of Newcastle Careers Service careers and job search site for enrolled students and graduates.

Australian

  • CareerOne: Australia wide job listings, all levels and industries including executive positions
  • MyCareer: Australian and international listings
  • Seek: comprehensive Australian job listings, also includes New Zealand and UK listings
  • The Big Chair: Management and Executive Jobs

International

Sample Job Ads and Tips for Applying

Job ads provide useful information about the job and the required skills, experience and qualifications. Information like this is useful in career planning. Below is a small sample of job ads with tips on planning and job applications; explore further to gather more useful information for your planning.

Please note, the job ads listed on this page are not current and were sourced from a variety of websites in 2010.

 

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