Career opportunities
Recent Otago graduates who have included French in their degree now work as teachers, librarians, consultants, marketing managers and journalists all around the world. The analytical skills, communicative abilities and international perspectives that you'll have gained by studying French at Otago will give you an edge, and a pathway into a wide range of occupations.
Teaching style
In the French programme at Otago we get to know our students individually. Our classes are small and this helps us tailor our approaches and materials to meet the interests of our students.
Active use of French is the essence of our courses and we will give you plenty of opportunities to improve your language skills using the latest text, audio and video resources and internet materials.
Apart from studying the French language, you can also choose papers which will give you perspectives on the social values and cultural life of France and other French-speaking countries.
Some of these will explore French literature of a particular period, others will focus on further expressions of France's culture such as cinema and popular music.
You'll be eligible to join the Alliance Française de Dunedin for regular social and cultural activities involving the French-speaking population of the city.
Recommended background
If you have studied French at school or elsewhere, you will be able to build on your knowledge and skills, and we will determine which paper will best suit your level of French.
Otherwise, an intensive and popular programme is available for the complete beginner.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Diploma in Language (DipLang)
The Diploma in Language is offered in one of five core languages: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Arts along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Commerce, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in French
Explore postgraduate study in French at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in a supporti...
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Papers |
|---|
| Seven of: Students admitted directly to papers at 200- or 300-level must replace their prerequisites with other papers in the subject concerned |
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | FREN 131 Introductory French 1 | 18 |
| FREN 132 Introductory French 2 | 18 | |
| One of GLBL 110, LING 111 | 18 | |
| 200-level | FREN 232 Intermediate French | 18 |
| FREN 233 French for Professional Purposes | 18 | |
| One of EURO 202, GLBL 201, GLBL 202 | 18 | |
| 300-level | FREN 333 Advanced French 1 | 18 |
| FREN 334 Advanced French 2 | 18 | |
| Two of EURO 302, GLBL 301, GLBL 302 | 36 | |
Notes: | ||
| Plus | 162 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. | 162 |
| Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | ||
| Total | 360 |
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | LING 111 A World of Languages | 18 |
| Two 100-level papers in one of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Māori, Spanish | 36 | |
| 200-level | LING 217 What's Behind Language: Sound and Structure | 18 |
| One further 200-level LING paper (excluding LING 231 TESOL: Guide to Language Teaching) | 18 | |
| Two 200-level papers in the language continued from 100-level | 36 | |
| 300-level | Two 300-level LING papers | 36 |
| Two 300-level papers in the language continued from 200-level | 36 | |
| Plus | 162 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. | 162 |
| Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | ||
| Note: In the case of Māori language, students will take MAOR 111, MAOR 211, and MAOR 311 at 100-, 200-, and 300-level respectively. | ||
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Papers | Points |
|---|---|
Five FREN papers or relevant non-FREN content papers, at least three of which must be above 100-level, including at least one at 300-level. | 90 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
FREN papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FREN105 | 2025 | Intensive French for Beginners | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| FREN131 | 2025 | Introductory French 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| FREN132 | 2025 | Introductory French 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| FREN232 | 2025 | Intermediate French | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| FREN233 | 2025 | French for Professional Purposes | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| FREN250 | 2025 | Crossroads in French Cultural Space | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| FREN333 | 2025 | Advanced French 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| FREN334 | 2025 | Advanced French 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| FREN335 | 2025 | Advanced French 3 | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| FREN336 | 2025 | Advanced French 4 | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| FREN341 | 2025 | Topics in French | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| FREN350 | 2025 | Crossroads in French Cultural Space (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| FREN441 | 2025 | Advanced Topics in French | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| FREN451 | 2025 | Studies in French | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| FREN452 | 2025 | Studies in French 2 | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| FREN490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| FREN590 | 2025 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | Not offered in 2025 |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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