Bachelor of Arts in French

Program overview

Learn how to communicate effectively in both oral and written French as you learn about the literature and culture of France, Quebec and other Francophone areas.

You will

• gain a thorough understanding of French pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary
• read and analyze texts in French
• write critical essays in French

This program will also help you develop an awareness of the linguistic and cultural differences between French and English.

Why take the Bachelor of Arts?

The Bachelor of Arts strengthens critical and creative thinking through a broad range of social, political and cultural studies. The program is designed to

• broaden your perspective on local and global affairs
• encourage community and social involvement
• prepare you for lifelong learning and occupational diversity

Routes and options

Athabasca University’s Bachelor of Arts in French is an online degree program, with both a 3-year and a 4-year option. There are no set start dates – you can enrol at any time and register for courses right away.

Bachelor of Arts, French concentration (3-year online degree)

• A 3-year degree is a well-respected and marketable credential in Canada and the United States.
• It does not provide direct access to graduate-level studies.
• You can extend your 3-year degree to a 4-year degree at a later date, if you wish. Learn more about degree conversion.

Bachelor of Arts, French major (4-year online degree)

• A 4-year degree fully prepares students for most graduate programs.
• The 4-year BA program allows you to pursue either a double major or a minor.
  • Double majors must meet the requirements for both majors, which may restrict course selection or require additional credits above the 120 required for the BA.
  • You should talk to an academic advisor about your program and courses if you’re considering a double major.
  • To earn a minor you must complete 30 credits in that subject area.
  • List of minors
    • Anthropology 
    • Canadian Studies 
    • English 
    • Global Studies 
    • History 
    • Humanities 
    • Inclusive Education 
    • Labour Studies 
    • Philosophy 
    • Political Economy 
    • Political Science 
    • Psychology 
    • Public Administration 
    • Sociology 
    • Women's and Gender Studies
• AU does not offer an Honours BA.

Completion times

Admission requirements

How to apply

You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

• How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Make sure we get your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.

Transfer and advanced credit

If you have previous post-secondary education or significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This could mean fewer courses to get your AU degree. If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 30 credits at AU.

• Learn about transfer and advanced credit at AU

Program requirements

To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Bachelor of Arts, plus those specific to your major, minor or concentration.

• Requirements: Bachelor of Arts – 3-year
  • Requirements: French concentration
• Requirements: Bachelor of Arts – 4-year
  • Requirements: French major

Our program plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

• Program plan: French concentration
• Program plan: French major

Required courses

Detailed information about courses in this program can be accessed using the following links:

Tuition and fees

Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.

• Calculate your course cost

You can estimate your total program cost by multiplying the cost of a 3-credit course by the number of courses you need to take for the program. Remember that tuition costs may increase each year.

Program learning outcomes

As a result of completing this program, students should be able to:

• Interpret some of the great moments of political and intellectual thought in France from the "Moyen-Age" to the 21st Century and in Modern day French Canada, through a study of representative literary texts.
• Distinguish between the various genres such as: "le roman" ,  "le conte", "la nouvelle" ,  "le théâtre ", and  "la poésie".
• Apply the basic terminology of French literary criticism, French versification and various literary analysis tools in literary discussion.
• Write clearly and cogently in a variety of modes and tenses on various topics and literary genres in French.
• Analyse the commonalities and the differences between the writings of men and women writers in French and Francophone culture. 
• Illustrate mastery of the “dissertation littéraire”, a rigorous, structural approach to literary analysis and commentary.
• Conduct independent research with scholarly rigour, complexity and depth in regards to French and Francophone language, culture and literature.
• Apply original and creative thinking showing a high level of competence in written and oral French appropriate to the final years of a four-year degree in French.

Possible career options

• Translator/Interpreter
• Foreign Student Advisor
• Customs Officer
• Import Specialist
• Foreign Service Officer
• International Relations Officer
• Literary Translator
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
• work in institutions (banks, insurance companies) where French service is offered to clients

Continuing education

At Athabasca University:

• Master of Arts – Integrated Studies (MAIS)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education in Open, Digital and Distance Education (MEd)
• Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology
• Master of Counselling (MC)
• Post-Graduate Certificate in Counselling

At Other Educational Institutions*

• graduate studies in French or other related/unrelated disciplines
• education: bachelor/master
• law
• journalism
• translation certification
• teaching English as a second language (TESL)

* Some universities will not accept a three-year degree for admittance into a graduate program. An additional year of study may be required. Entrance requirements vary among educational institutions. It is the students’ responsibility to research the entrance requirements of other universities.