BA French and History of Art
About this course
BA in French and History of Art, a French and Francophone Studies and History of Art degree focused on language proficiency and visual culture. Students complete a mandatory year abroad during the third year to experience French-speaking societies directly. The first year covers foundational modules such as Use of French 1, The Making of Modern France, Reading French Texts, French Oral 1, History of Art and its Objects, First-Year History of Art Survey (2): c. 1600 to the Contemporary, and First-Year History of Art Survey (1): Premodernity to c. 1600. The second year continues language training alongside advanced art history lectures, featuring compulsory classes like Use of French 2, French Oral 2, Advanced Lecture in the History of Art (1) A, and Advanced Lecture in the History of Art (2) A. Students can select optional modules in year two covering literary theory, historical periods, film history, and francophone literatures. The third year consists of SELCS Year Abroad Term 1 and SELCS Year Abroad Term 2. The final year comprises compulsory language study through French Oral 3 and Use of French 3, alongside optional choices such as Advanced Translation, Comics in French, Gender, Race and Sexuality, and French Existentialism: Sartre, Coffee, and Cigarettes.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (Previous study of a foreign language is preferred (not necessarily one of the named languages) but not required. Applicants may study two languages at beginner level and may seek advice from the departments concerned if needed.) IB: 34 points (A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Foreign language preferred.)
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What students say
Based on about 24 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 25%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 335 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 60%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Baccalaureate: 25%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Use of French 1
- The Making of Modern France
- Reading French Texts
- French Oral 1
- History of Art and its Objects
- First-Year History of Art Survey (2): c. 1600 to the Contemporary
- First-Year History of Art Survey (1): Premodernity to c. 1600
- Use of French 2
- French Oral 2
- Advanced Lecture in the History of Art (1) A
- Advanced Lecture in the History of Art (2) A
- An Introduction to Literary Theory
- The Medieval Period
- The Renaissance Period
- Enlightenment and the Revolution: the 18th Century
- Romanticism and Modernity: the 19th Century
- Exploration of Self and Form: The Contemporary Period
- Citizenship and Nationhood in France Today
- French Film History
- Contesting Frenchness: Francophone Literatures
- A Century of Conflict and Crisis: France, 1870-1970
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 1
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 2
- French Oral 3
- Use of French 3
- Advanced Translation
- Comics in French
- Dominating Texts: Literary Power Relations in 20th Century Writing
- Legendary Histories
- Cultures of AIDS in France: History, Policy and Representation
- Gender, Race and Sexuality
- Fiction and the Archives: Rewriting Criminal Stories in Early Modern France
- Discourses of Equality
- Topics in Modern French History: À la guerre comme à la guerre: France and the First World War
- French Existentialism: Sartre, Coffee, and Cigarettes
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA French and History of Art at University College London earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £28,500 after 3 years, £39,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,500 and £53,500. The £39,000 median after five years is £5,000 more than the UK median for French studies.
What do graduates of BA French and History of Art at University College London do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA French and History of Art at University College London?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA French and History of Art at University College London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 198 UCAS points.
Does BA French and History of Art at University College London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA French and History of Art at University College London?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.