BA Hons Education & French

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Strathclyde

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Education & French at the University of Strathclyde combines French language proficiency with educational theory, making it ideal for students who wish to develop advanced communication skills while understanding learning and teaching. It suits those interested in languages, culture, and education, preparing them for careers in teaching, translation, or international settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build a foundation in French language skills — speaking, listening, reading, and writing — alongside Education modules that explore childhood development, social and cultural influences on learning, and provide early practical experience in schools. This enables students to link theoretical understanding with real-world educational contexts from the start.

Year 2

Year two develops linguistic competence through modules such as French Literature, Translation, and Contemporary Culture, while Education modules focus on learning across the lifespan, inclusive education, and the impact of social and cultural factors on learning. Students may also select optional modules to specialise in specific areas of French or education.

Year 3

In the third year, students refine advanced French skills, studying literature, media, or specialised cultural topics, and may undertake a placement or study abroad experience to immerse themselves in a French-speaking environment. Education modules explore teaching methods, curriculum development, and research-led educational practice.

Year 4

The final year allows students to complete a dissertation or major project in French language, literature, or applied linguistics, integrating research and analytical skills. Education modules include advanced studies in teaching, curriculum design, and comparative education, preparing graduates for professional or postgraduate pathways.

Focus Areas:

French language and literature, translation, cultural studies, educational theory, inclusive learning, teaching methods, research skills, learning across the lifespan.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates will demonstrate advanced French proficiency, critical understanding of language and culture, knowledge of educational theory and practice, ability to conduct independent research, and effective communication skills in professional and academic contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The degree provides preparation for postgraduate teacher training (PGDE), as well as careers in teaching, translation, international relations, or other language-related professions.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Graduates benefit from Strathclyde’s strong reputation in language and education studies, gaining skills highly valued by employers in teaching, translation, international organisations, and education-related roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the BA (Hons) Education & French programme combine modern language proficiency with education theory and practical placements, giving them both linguistic skills and insight into teaching, social context, and educational systems.

Practical and experiential learning includes:

Work placements with children and youth (age 0–14 or young people) — in the first year, students take part in placements or community‑education settings, helping them understand how educational theory applies in real-world contexts and giving direct exposure to teaching and child development environments.
Language‑learning facilities and digital language labs — students use interactive teaching, multimedia tools, and digital labs to build reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, preparing them for professional use of the language.
Semester‑by‑semester cultural and language training — classes cover grammar and vocabulary, society, culture, literature, cinema, and contemporary issues in French-speaking countries, building broad cultural awareness alongside language skills.
Year‑abroad experience — honours-level students spend a year abroad in a French-speaking country, either studying, working as a teaching assistant, or doing a placement, offering immersive exposure to the language, culture, and potentially teaching or educational work.
Research and independent work in final year — students may complete a French-language dissertation or an education-focused project, exploring a topic of their choice in depth: linguistic, cultural, or education-related.

What the programme covers

French component

Students build progressively: starting with language fundamentals (speaking, listening, reading, writing), then advancing to more complex language use, translation, interpretation, and professional-level language skills.
The course explores French-speaking cultures, societies, literature, cinema, history, and contemporary issues — offering broad cultural and critical understanding.
In the final (honours) year, students may specialize through translation work, interpretation practice, or a dissertation in French. Alternatively, they can focus on an education-related dissertation while taking advanced cultural classes.

Education component

Year 1: Foundational topics include how social class, poverty, community, and culture influence education and learning; includes a placement with children or youth.
Year 2: Focuses on learning across life stages, informal education, and optional modules tailored to student interests.
Year 3: Students explore adult and community education, often including community-based placements, alongside training in educational research methods.
Year 4: Students select modules on inclusion, policy, equity, or representations of education, alongside a dissertation or major project.
Throughout the degree, students experience lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, small-group discussions, and independent research, encouraging critical thinking and broad understanding of education and society.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Education & French develop advanced language skills alongside professional educational training, preparing them for careers in teaching, bilingual education, translation, or international education roles. Many also continue to postgraduate study to enhance their professional or linguistic expertise:

University services that support employment: Strathclyde’s Careers Service offers tailored guidance, placements, internships, and school-based teaching experience through the Faculty’s Student Placement System. Students can also access employability workshops, study-abroad programmes, and mentoring to strengthen professional skills.
Employment stats & salary figures: Graduate Outcomes reporting indicates strong employability, with early-career median salaries typically ranging from £22,000–£26,500, depending on role and sector.
University–industry connections: The School collaborates with local and international schools, cultural institutes, and language organisations. Partnerships with the British Council and French cultural institutions provide practical teaching experience and professional networking opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value: Graduates aiming to teach can progress to the PGDE, gaining qualified teacher status, which ensures long-term professional recognition and career stability.
Graduation outcomes (typical roles): Typical roles include Secondary or Primary Teacher (after PGDE/induction), Bilingual Educator, Translator/Interpreter, International Education Officer, and Language Programme Coordinator.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BA (Hons) Education & French, students may pursue the PGDE for professional teaching qualification, taught Masters in Education, Applied Linguistics, or French Studies, or research degrees (MRes/PhD) in Education, Language Acquisition, or French Language and Culture — all designed to build on professional and academic expertise.