French Studies and Theatre BA (Hons)

Lancaster’s joint French Studies and Theatre degree is taught by the Department of Languages and Cultures in conjunction with Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA). This degree includes an international placement in year 3.
Your French Studies programme gives you the opportunity to acquire high-level language skills while gaining a thorough understanding of the country’s historical, cultural, social and political backgrounds in a global context. In Theatre, you’ll learn about innovative 20th and 21st century theatre and performance through an exciting and varied mix of practical and academic approaches.

Your first year comprises an exploration of the French language and its cultural context as well as an introduction to theatre’s key concepts and practical tools that culminates in a group performance project. Alongside this, you will study a minor subject of your choice.

Building on your language skills in Year 2, you will study the culture, politics and history of the French-speaking world in more depth, as well as selecting modules which are international in scope and promote a comparative understanding of Europe and beyond. You will combine these with modules such as ‘Performing the Avant-Garde’, ‘Modern Dance’ and ‘British Theatre and the State of the Nation (1945-2000)’.

Spending your third year abroad in a French-speaking country gives you the opportunity to improve your language proficiency while deepening your intercultural sensitivity. You can study at a partner institution or conduct a work placement.

Careers

As well as language and subject-related skills, a degree in languages gives you the opportunity to develop a rich,interpersonal, intercultural, cognitive and transferable skills that can be utilised across a variety of careers. Examples of these might include accountancy, IT, business development, civil service, events management, finance, journalism, publishing, research and sales, as well as teaching and translating both in the UK and abroad.

Many of our graduates find jobs within theatre - as performers, directors, writers, technicians and administrators - and in associated fields, such as journalism, the media, publishing and advertising. Others work within areas concerned with the social applications of theatre and drama, such as teaching, social work, community arts, drama, and dance therapy.

Many graduates continue their studies at Lancaster, making the most of our excellent postgraduate research facilities. We offer Masters degrees in Translation, Languages and Cultures, Theatre and Performance, as well as in Arts Management and Consultancy.