French
Course Outline
The Higher Diploma in French is aimed at graduates who want to be considered for a master's course in French, but do not have an honours degree in French, or who want to add a Higher Diploma in Arts subject to their qualifications.
Objectives of the course:
to provide you with opportunities to further develop your skills in the study and the use of the French language
to provide you with opportunities to extend and deepen your skills in the reading and discussion of texts
to introduce you to work in specialised areas of French as a multidisciplinary subject
to give you a sense of French culture in French-speaking countries around the world
On graduation from this course, you will have:
developed a capacity for independent critical thinking
acquired and developed transferable skills such as information gathering, analysis and interpretationacquired a range of personal and interpersonal skills in addition to communication and listening skills
developed reflectiveness, self-awareness and a capacity for cooperative endeavour through taking responsibility for group work
The modules on offer, are in the main, those offered to second-year and final-year degree students. French as a degree-level subject is organised into a number of distinct elements:
language modules on reading, writing, speaking and listening
core modules dealing with the study of culture and literature
specialised modules covering different areas of French as a multidisciplinary subject, including literary studies, linguistics, French thought and the history of ideas, cultural studies, French society and institutions, the francophone world.
Why Choose This Course
The Higher Diploma in French at UCC is delivered by an active team of teachers and researchers who support and encourage students who want to learn about French and Francophone cultures and are keen to become independent thinkers.
The qualification will give you a strong sense of the importance of France and the French language in the world today. You will acquire not only knowledge, but also skills. The global spread of French as a language, the economic strength of France, as well as emerging Francophone cultures, make this a great time to discover more from our Department.
Subjects taught
Modules (60 credits):
FR2602 Modern French Culture
FR4202 Structure and Varieties of Contemporary French
FR2305 Introduction to Francophone Postcolonial Studies
FR2306 Theatre of the Absurd
FR4307 Contemporary French Theatre
FR2404 French Language Today
LL3002 Travel Writings
FR2403 Introduction to Specialist Translation
FR4308 Literary Studies: Modern French Fiction
FR4407 Advanced Specialist Translation
FR4403 Second Language Acquisition
FR 2702 Women in French Society and Culture
FR2204 Topics in Literature and Culture
FR4702 French Society and Institutions
If you are applying for this course to gain a teaching subject please consult with the Teaching Council Subject Declaration Form to view specific requirements for this subject.
Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our book of modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.
University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.
Entry requirements
Requirements
It is intended for those who already have a 3 or 4 year primary degree, preferably in the area of Arts or the Sciences, and who wish to study the subject French intensively over one academic year. The Higher Diploma in Arts is a conversion programme and applicants would not normally have studied the relevant subject to Honours Degree level previously.
English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements.
For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland:
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements, please find our grades comparison by country here.
International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above.
For more information please contact the International Office.
Application dates
How Do I Apply
1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.
2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.
Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.
3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.
- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC
- Any supplementary items requested for your course.
Please log into the online application portal for more details.
4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.
5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates.
Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:
You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
Please note that the Higher Diploma in Arts programme is not a teacher training programme. Graduates must complete the Professional Master of Education to qualify as a secondary school teacher. Please see www.ucc.ie/en/pec01 for further details.
The closing date for non-EU applications is 15 June
Assessment Info
Assessment is by a combination of essays and final year examinations in both written and oral French.
Credits
Higher Diploma 60 ECTS credits
Duration
1 year Full-time; 2 years Part-time.
Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.
Enrolment dates
Start Date 7 September 2020
Post Course Info
Skills and Careers Information
This course will enables you to:
develop your language skills through extensive reading of materials in French
comment analytically on a wide range of materials in French
demonstrate an awareness of French and francophone culture and cultural production
apply critical methodologies developed by French and francophone writers in thought and/or literature and/or linguistics and/or cultural studies
apply research methodologies to prepare original, well-argued essays on a range of subjects relating to French language and culture.
These skills of analysis and research and these forms of cultural and inter-cultural competencies are of critical importance to those wishing to pursue careers in education, journalism, government, European institutions and executive administration in multinational companies.