- UCAS course code
- Q6R1
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
BA Latin and French
- Typical A-level offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: BBC including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 34 points overall with 6,5,5 at HL including specific subjects
Course description
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.
Special features
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.
Teaching and learning
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.
Coursework and assessment
Course content for year 1
Latin
Core units will give you a grounding in the historical and cultural contexts of life in first century Rome via ancient poetry and the study of Latin language.
Optional units allow you to start exploring key themes and making links between your fields of study.
French
In Year 1, you follow 2 weekly hours of grammar classes (post-A-level) or 4-5 weekly hours (ab initio), complemented by oral classes for conversation and fluency.
Regular independent practice is paramount in order to progress well and fast.
A compulsory module on 'Modern French Identity' introduces you to 300 years of French history, politics and culture, alongside extracts of literature, cinema and other art forms.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Virgil's Aeneid | CAHE10422 | 20 | Mandatory |
Constructing Archaic Greek History | CAHE10011 | 20 | Optional |
From Republic to Empire: Introduction to Roman History, Society & Culture 218-31BC | CAHE10022 | 20 | Optional |
The Odyssey | CAHE10101 | 20 | Optional |
The Making of the Mediterranean | CAHE10132 | 20 | Optional |
Cities and Citizens | CAHE10232 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to the History and Culture of Pharaonic Egypt | CAHE10651 | 20 | Optional |
Intensive Greek 1 | CAHE20151 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Egyptian Hieroglyphs | CAHE20162 | 20 | Optional |
Intensive Latin 1 | CAHE20171 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 2
You can study up to two-thirds of your credits in either Latin or in French Studies.
Latin
With just one compulsory course unit in Latin language, you'll have the flexibility to focus your studies on key areas of interest across historical, literary, cultural and societal themes.
French
You will build on the grounding established in Year 1, while preparing for your year abroad, including writing CVs and cover letters, and doing mock interviews for jobs in French.
Other course units are optional and broadly falling under the following categories: Literature, History and Popular Culture, or Linguistics and Translation.
Topics include French literature (17th century to the present), colonisation and exoticism, Francophone cinema, theatre, philosophy and contemporary popular culture.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Ekphrasis in Latin texts | CAHE20292 | 20 | Mandatory |
Through Cicero's Eyes | CAHE20031 | 20 | Optional |
The Conquering Hero: The Life, Times and Legacy of Alexander The Great | CAHE20041 | 20 | Optional |
The Roman Empire 31BC - AD313 Rome's Golden Age | CAHE20051 | 20 | Optional |
Politics and Society in Classical Greece | CAHE20062 | 20 | Optional |
Intensive Greek 1 | CAHE20151 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Egyptian Hieroglyphs | CAHE20162 | 20 | Optional |
Greco-Roman Society and Technology | CAHE20261 | 20 | Optional |
Roman Love Elegy | CAHE20272 | 20 | Optional |
Dispute and Desire: the Erotics of Ancient Greek Literature | CAHE20282 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
You will spend the third year abroad in approved study or work in a Francophone country or countries.
Work opportunities include teaching as an English language assistant.
Course content for year 4
Latin
Continue to shape your understanding according to specific interests, with interdisciplinary and advanced course unit options, in addition to your Advanced Latin language unit.
French
Continue with your core language course for increased accuracy and sophistication, with regular practice in essay writing, translation, oral debate and presentations.
You also choose additional cultural units that build on Year 2 study and relate to the research interests of staff members (representation of race and conflict, performance, gender, national identity, linguistic creativity across theatre, literature, cinema, poetry, popular music).
You can also write a dissertation on an approved topic of your choice.
Course units for year 4
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Ekphrasis in Latin texts | CAHE30292 | 20 | Mandatory |
French Language 6 | FREN51060 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Egyptian Hieroglyphs | CAHE20162 | 20 | Optional |
Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology and Egyptology Dissertation | CAHE30000 | 40 | Optional |
Through Cicero's Eyes | CAHE30031 | 20 | Optional |
Advanced Latin Language 2 | CAHE30211 | 20 | Optional |
Greco-Roman Society and Technology | CAHE30261 | 20 | Optional |
Roman Love Elegy | CAHE30272 | 20 | Optional |
Advanced Latin Language 3 | CAHE30311 | 20 | Optional |
Ancient Medicine | CAHE30382 | 20 | Optional |
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Facilities
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 .