GENERAL AIMS

The fundamental aim of the degree course is to produce professionals with a linguistic, cultural and literary background,  a comprehensive understanding of all areas related to French Studies, and the capacity to continue learning independently and to adapt to constantly-changing social, cultural and professional environments. In this regard, graduates in French Studies are qualified to work in a range of professional environments, including teaching and research, in the import/export departments of businesses, in public institutions and administration (EU organisations), and in publishing and communication, among others.

In order to produce professionals with this linguistic, cultural and literary background, the following general aims, which will later be divided into general and specific proficiencies, have been identified for the degree:

• To give a general philological training and a specific understanding of the linguistic, literary and cultural aspects of the French language.

• To provide the tools necessary for the specific study and understanding of different aspects of the French language, from a literary, linguistic and cultural perspective, through the acquisition of the techniques, tools and skills necessary to apply acquired learning to a range of fields.

• To produce flexible professionals with teaching and research skills together with a range of proficiencies related to international relations, communication, new technologies and the new roles demanded by contemporary society in the field of French Studies.

• To prepare students for subsequent post-graduate studies, whether in philology or in other areas of knowledge where a solid training in French Studies could be an advantage.

• Credit structure of the degree course
• Distribution of credits per subject type
• General description of the course programme
• Optional subjects and routes
  

CREDIT STRUCTURE OF THE DEGREE COURSE

Subjects in the Degree in French Studies, each worth 6 European ECTS credits, are organised into semesters.  Specifically, students are required to take 5 subjects each semester, to complete 30 credits per semester and 60 credits per year, for a total of 240 credits over four years.

In order to make the course compatible with other activities, students are allowed to take a part-time course consisting of 30 credits per academic year.

DISTRIBUTION OF CREDITS PER SUBJECT TYPE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE PROGRAMME

The course programme is organised into modules and units. Each module consists of one or several units encompassing related contents and learning and assessment methods, whilst units may be composed of one or more subjects. Subjects comprise discrete content matter, which may or may not be integrated. This structure is in accordance with the aims and proficiencies defined for the degree.

The course programme comprises a total of 240 credits. This covers all the theoretical and practical knowledge which the student is expected to acquire, and includes fundamental aspects of the area of knowledge concerned, compulsory and optional subjects, seminars, work experience, supervised projects, the final project and other educational activities..

A total of 60 ECTS correspond to the core subjects that students must pass. All core subjects are related to several fundamental subjects in the area of the Arts and Humanities, as established in Annex II to Royal Decree 1393/2007, indicating the interdisciplinary nature implied by the objectives sought through the degree course.

- These core subjects (Language, Literature, Linguistics, Modern Language) are each worth 6 credits, and are taken in the semesters comprising the first half of the course (first and second years). They are indicated in the course programme by the initials FB (Formación básica – core).

- A further 144 ECTS correspond to compulsory subjects, related to Classical Languages, Literature and Modern Languages, and pertaining to the area of the Arts and Humanities, as established in Annexe II to Royal Decree 1393/2007.

- There is also a compulsory Final Project, worth 6 credits, which is undertaken during the final phase of the course programme (4^th Year). This is aimed at assessing the student’s acquisition of the proficiencies associated with the degree.

- The remaining 30 ECTS credits correspond to the optional subjects which the student must choose, and which represent a complementary education.  Although these credits are also related to the area of the Arts and Humanities, as established in Annex II to Royal Decree 1393/2007, none of the optional subjects comprise core subjects. 

- Work experience is also worth 6 credits, and is undertaken in the final year, together with the optional subjects.. The skills and assessment systems for these optional subjects coincide with those for compulsory studies.

The Degree (Grado) in French Studies shares an educational structure common to the University of Alicante Degrees in Catalan Language and Literature, English Studies, Spanish Language and Literature, and Arabic and Islamic Studies, known as the “Degree Foundation Programme”, in accordance with the University of Alicante regulations regarding the implementation of Degrees, which stipulate a common basis with later progressive diversification leading to the different degree qualifications.

Thus, French Studies, Catalan Language and Literature, English Studies, Spanish Language and Literature and Arabic and Islamic Studies include 60 shared credits which comprise the interdisciplinary module, taught in the first and second years of the degree and including subjects which are not specific to French Studies. The reasons for structuring the course programme in this way lie in the need for an interdisciplinary approach to Language and Literature degrees and for  diversified academic learning in non-specialised areas as a basis for, and complement to, a better education in French Studies.

Specialisation in the Degree in French Studies is addressed in the second module, consisting of 150 credits taught in 4 specific units: French Language (13 subjects, 78 credits), French Literature (8 subjects, 48 credits), French Culture (3 subjects, 18 credits), and the Final Project (1 subject, 6 credits). In line with the distinctive nature of this degree, this module is taught over the four academic years comprising the degree programme.

The third and final module of the Degree in French Studies is the Complementary Module. This module, worth 30 credits, enables students to choose one of the 8 optional units offered: Spanish Studies, Catalan Language and Literature, English Studies, French Studies, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Classical Studies, General Linguistics, Literary Theory and Comparative Literature. Each of these units comprises a discrete group worth 30 credits, containing subjects specific to the unit title, and are taken in the final year of the degree course.

Students also have the option of undertaking Work Experience instead of one of the 5 subjects in each of the 8 units offered.

Where an optional unit other than French Studies has been chosen, the subject of this optional unit will then be classified as a “subsidiary subject” in the degree.  The classification of “subsidiary subject” is reached by adding the 30 complementary module credits to the credits obtained for this subject in the interdisciplinary module (between 12 and 24 credits), leading to a possible overall range of between a minimum of 42 and a maximum of 54 credits.

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS AND ROUTES

Take the optional forms:

NO ROUTE (Table 1)

•  30 credits of electives.
•  24 credits of electives and up to 6 credits for participation in university activities, cultural, sports, student representation, solidarity and cooperation.
•  Up to 30 credits for participation in mobility programs.

WITH ROUTE (Table 2)

You have to take between 42 and 54 credits of the same material other than your degree. It will therefore be necessary to obtain an itinerary, plus take 30 elective credits chosen field, have completed or to complete a minimum of 12 credits in the same subject in first and second grade.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT (IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

Students who study an undergraduate degree at the University of Alicante must confirm a minimum level of B1 in a foreign language (a B2 is recommended) in order to obtain the diploma.  

The required language level is in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

The language accreditation requirement can be obtained previously or at any time during university studies. However, the language requirement will be necessary in order to be able to assess the final year project.

The different forms of obtaining such language requirement can be consulted in the additional information in this section.  

+info

LANGUAGE TEACHING COMPETENCE CERTIFICATE

Students who want to have a career in non-university teaching when they finish their studies are recommended to obtain the teaching competence certificate (Valencian and/or foreign languages).

This certificate can be obtained by taking specific itineraries in your university studies or by taking the UA teaching competence course in Valencian, German, French and English.

+info

FINAL YEAR PROJECT (TFG)

All the official undergraduate degrees must be completed by preparing and defending a final year project, which must be done in the final phase of the studies and be aimed at the assessment of competences associated to the degree.

The final year project must be an original, independent and personal work. The elaboration of it may by individual or coordinated. Each student will prepare this project under the supervision of a tutor, allowing students to show the received training content in an integrated many, as well as the acquired competences associated to the undergraduate degree.

In order to register in the final year project, students must comply with the requirements established in the “Regulations for continuation studies for students registered in undergraduate degrees at the University of Alicante”. Among the requirements established to be able to register in the final year project, a minimum of 168 credits must be passed in undergraduate degrees with a total of 240 credits, and a minimum of 228 credits in undergraduate degrees with a total of 300 credits or more.

In order for the final year project to be assessed, a B1 level of a foreign language (B2 is recommended) must be confirmed.

+info

• Access routes
• Procedure for applying for admission
• Recommended applicant profile
• Number of places and pass marks

ACCESS ROUTES

Admission to this degree course is open to any applicant who meets one of the following entrance requirements:

1.     SPANISH BACCALAUREATE (LOMCE) UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM (PAU): Although students can access university by means of any Baccalaureate specialization, the recommended one is Humanities and Social Sciences.

Admission scores for this degree can be improved by taking the specific modules of the University Entrance Exam (PAU) as indicated in the table below with their respective weightings.

TABLE 1

2.     PREVIOUS BACCALAUREATES WITH OR WITHOUT A PASS IN THE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM (PAU): Students who have completed their Baccalaureate under previous education systems and have passed the PAU will be able to use the mark obtained in their application.

However, students can take specific exam modules during the voluntary PAU exam period in order to improve their admission score as shown in table 1. They can also sit for the obligatory PAU exams, in which case they will have to take all the exams scheduled during this period.

3.     VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: Vocational educational qualifications such as senior technician, senior technician of plastic arts and design, or senior technician in sports is the preferred professional area although access to this degree may be through any professional field.

Admission scores can be improved by taking the PAU exam in up to 4 of the modules in table 1.

4.     STUDENTS FROM EDUCATION SYSTEMS IN COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OR OTHER STATES WITH WHICH SPAIN HAS AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT: Accreditation is required and issued by Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED).

Students can sit for exams in subjects included in the Pruebas de Competencias Específicas (PCE), organised by the UNED, in order to improve their admission score up to 14 points as indicated in the weightings in Table 1.

5.     STUDENTS FROM FOREIGN EDUCATION SYSTEMS: Prior to applying for the validation of their foreign Baccalaureate, students may sit for up to 4 exams in subjects offered by the Pruebas de Competencias Específicas (PCE) organised by UNED (at least one subject from the core subjects).

The weightings indicated in table 1 will be applied to core and/or optional subjects.

6.     OTHER: University degrees and other similar qualifications. University entrance exam for students over 25 (preferential option: Arts and Humanities). Access on the basis of professional experience (applicants over 40 years of age). Access to applicants aged 45 years or more by means of an exam.

Weightings of the subjects of the specific phase of the Proof of Access to the University (PAU) in the previous years

High School Diploma Subjects

Academic Years 2010-11 2011-12

0.1

0.2

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Academic Years  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

0.1

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

0.2

x

x

x

x

PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR ADMISSION: PRE-ENROLMENT AND REGISTRATION

• Anticipated number of places offered during the first pre-enrolment session: 50

• In order to apply for a place, the procedure and pre-enrolment periods established each year must be observed. Information concerning the application procedure  (Pre-enrolment).

• Applicants admitted to a course must formally register within the timescale established annually in the enrolment calendar. Registration Information.

RECOMMENDED APPLICANT PROFILE

In order to be admitted to this degree, new students must possess a basic humanities education, together with good skills in logical reasoning.

NUMBER OF PLACES AND PASS MARKS

• "Pass marks" indicated correspond to the results of the first adjudication of June.
  
• The definitive notes can be inferior to the here collected.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Professions for which the degree qualifies its holders:

- Non-university and university teaching;

- Linguistic-literary research;

- Language promotion and specialist in linguistic planning;

- Linguistic-literary consultancy;

- Forensic linguistics;

- The media;

- Import/export departments in private business;

- The banking sector;

- Public administration;

- Linguistic and cultural mediation;

The linguistic, cultural and literary training offered by the Degree in French Studies qualifies its holders for professional activity in a range of fields, whether traditional (teaching and research) or other, more varied fields, which value the capacity of French Studies graduates to adapt to their social and economic environment. Graduates in French Studies can work in a range of environments, where their functions will include teaching, research, the creation and/or promotion of educational materials, linguistic consultancy, publishing, cultural management and international relations, among others.

Professional profiles:

- Teaching in secondary schools, the Spanish Official Language School network, universities, private centres, language schools and on languages courses for businesses and public institutions.

- Research at universities, in healthcare, welfare, educational and other institutions and organisations, among others, and in companies involved in the systematic production and/or applied knowledge of French language, culture and literature (telephony, computer applications, linguistic tools associated with the production and understanding of language and speech).

- Lexicography and terminology in publishing houses or public organisations, in the compilation of general or specialist monolingual or specialist dictionaries.

- Forensic linguistics in public institutions and organisations (law school, state attorney’s office, police), in private institutions (business) and with diverse professionals (judges, lawyers, psychologists, doctors).

- Language promoter and specialist in linguistic planning in cultural services, foundations, media, communication departments, public administration and institutions.

- Specialist in text management and proof-reading in publishing houses, in corporate and institutional environments, in the media and advertising.

- Cultural mediator in import/export departments of businesses, the tourist sector, study centres where immigrant students are present, in NGOs, the administration and other public organisations, health and welfare services, etc.

-  Literary consultancy in documentation (libraries, archives and communication centres), publishing (publishing houses, specialist publications, bookshops) and the media (press, radio, television, the Internet, documentaries, exhibitions, cultural programmes organised by public and private institutions).

IMPLEMENTATION

TIMESCALE

Once a course has been phased out, the subjects corresponding to the course will no longer be taught. Students who do not wish to take the new degree course subjects are entitled to sit four examinations in the two academic years following the end of each year. Any students wishing to continue their studies after sitting and failing these tests will be required to follow the new plan, according to the adaptation system established in the new plan.

CREDIT EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN THE FORMER DEGREE (LICENCIATURA) IN FRENCH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE AND THE NEW DEGREE (GRADO) IN FRENCH STUDIES

CREDIT EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN THE FORMER DEGREE (LICENCIATURA) IN FRENCH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE AND THE NEW DEGREE (GRADO) IN FRENCH STUDIES (Cont’d)

Subjects successfully taken by students of the former Degree in French Language and Literature but not shown in the above table will be given credit equivalence with optional credits on the new Degree in French Studies, up to the maximum number of optional credits established for the Degree.

DEGREE IN FRENCH STUDIES. SYLLABUS SUMMARY

Internal Quality Assurance System (SGIC) of the Title

• Structure of the Centre for Quality
  • Comission of Internal Quality Guarantee
  • Other Commissions  
• Handbook SGIC
• Procedures
  • Strategic (PE)
  • Key (PC)
  • Support (PA)
  • Measurement (PM)

• Management of the SGIC (Access to ASTUA)

Follow-up of the Title

• Self-reports UA
• External reports AVAP 
• Other reports
• Improvement Plans
• Progress and Learning Outcomes