BA Latin and French / Course details

Our BA Latin and French Joint Honours course will enable you to develop your linguistic skills while learning about the literature and culture of both societies.

Both languages can be learned either as a beginner or from A-level standard, but at least one language must be studied from A-level standard. Once you've reached the appropriate level, your learning will allow you to study literary and historical texts in their original language.

Language study offers much more than just language fluency. You'll explore diverse aspects of the culture, society, history, politics and literature of the countries in which the languages are - or were - spoken, helping you to develop intercultural awareness and communication skills - both highly valued by employers.

You'll benefit from excellent teaching, student support and cutting-edge study facilities, as well as from the vibrancy and cultural diversity of Manchester itself, Western Europe's most multilingual city.

With placement options available at partner universities and in professional environments in several French-speaking countries, a compulsory third year abroad gives our undergraduate students unforgettable and invaluable personal and professional experience. Where possible, this includes enrolment on classical courses at an overseas university.

The course unit details listed below are those you may choose to study as part of this programme and are referred to as optional units. These are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme. Although language units may show here as optional, they are a mandatory part of your modern languages degree and you will take the units relevant to your level of language in each year of study. It is compulsory to study language at all levels of your modern languages degree.

Residence abroad 

Your year abroad  will offer the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of life in a French-speaking country, and further develop your language skills. 

Learn from language experts 

Modern languages courses are mainly taught by native speakers, giving you a richer learning experience. 

Access outstanding resources 

Explore the exclusive resources of Manchester Museum and the Special Collections of The John Rylands Library - home to papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books, including very early copies of the Homeric poems. 

Collaboration with the Institut de Touraine 

In the Loire Valley, the Institut hosts Easter and Summer French language classes dedicated to University of Manchester French students, appropriate for both ab initio students and finalists.

The core of most literary and historical course units is provided by lectures, which introduce and survey the main issues, and are supported by small-group tutorials and seminars.

Language classes are taught intensively, with group size capped to encourage participation.

You are encouraged to involve yourself, under guidance, in independent study and original research.

Assessment practices vary between course units, but our aim overall is to achieve a good balance between formal written examinations, continuous assessment and project work, with the option to undertake a final year dissertation supervised by an expert in your field.

The John Rylands Library

At The John Rylands Library , you'll have exclusive access to our internationally significant collections, including papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books such as very early copies of the Homeric poems.

Manchester Museum

The UK's leading university museum has more than four million objects spanning millennia, including one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK. Go behind-the-scenes to handle, analyse and interpret rare artefacts, including exclusive material specific to ancient history.

The University Language Centre

Home to language resources, including a new interpreting suite, purpose-built recording rooms and resources for over 70 languages, the Centre also offers multilingual word processing, language learning software, off-air recording and AV duplication, multilingual terrestrial and satellite TV and support and advice.

Societies

The University is home to over 30 international and language related student societies offering a breadth of cultural activities and experiences. Learn more about colloquialisms in language through native speakers and take part in discussion groups and socials. Some of our societies also coordinate trips abroad to language-specific destinations.

Find out more on the Facilities pages for Classics and Ancient History and Modern Languages and Cultures .