BA

French / Drama and Theatre

BA French / Drama and Theatre Code RW14 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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You are viewing this course for September start 2024

If you are looking for an exciting, diverse and challenging programme combining the study of French language and culture with the combination of theory and practice of Drama and Theatre studies, then our degree is for you. French/ Drama and Theatre studies is engineered to empower you to develop your skills and capacities as a theatre-maker and creative thinker with the ability to communicate bilingual in French supported by internationally recognised staff with a wide range of expertise.  During your four-year degree, you will have the opportunity to study or work abroad in any of the French speaking countries around the world. 

Course Overview

Why study French/ Drama and Theatre studies at Aberystwyth University?

  • As a student in the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies you will be joining vibrant and creative department where drama and theatre, film and media, and scenography and theatre design collide. The Drama and Theatre component of this degree is a challenging and creative one where you will be exposed to an unique combination of creative and critical approaches. We also offer various modules through the medium of Welsh. Check out the module tab for further information.
  • In the Department of Modern Languages, you will have the opportunity to study French from beginners or advanced.
  • At beginners level, you will have timetabled intensive linguistic classes during your first year, where you will concentrate on the following principles: listening, reading/writing, oral and translation. After the first year, you will join students who have started the course at advanced level.
  • If you're commencing the French component of this course at advanced level, this will be a continuation of your grammatical and linguistic development from A level (or equivalent) also in the following principles: listening, reading/writing, oral and translation.
  • All students in the Department of Modern Languages will receive four hours of linguistic and grammar classes per week. As a department, we are a relatively small and close-knit which means that you will benefit from the unique approach to language development. All of language tutors are native speakers or expert in the relevant target language. We know our students by name and not by number.
  • The Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies (TFTS) is a creative one where students benefit from the close connections with key industry partners include National Theatre Wales, Music Theatre Wales, Quarantine Theatre Company, and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. We are also in close proximity and are neighbors to the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, one of the largest Arts Centre in mid Wales which regularly presents national and international theatre and dance work..  We are situated in the heart of Penglais campus and our exceptional facilities and resources for practical work includes: three rehearsal studios, each with flexible technical facilities; 2 large professionally-equipped studios with digital lighting rigs controlled via ETC Congo and Strand Lighting consoles, Yamaha and Soundcraft PAs, Sanyo AV systems and Strand lighting and two NXAMP; and costume and wardrobe facilities.
  • For all students the highlight of being a student at University is the social element. Both departments have lively societies that regularly meet and convene. Come and visit us during an Open Day or an Applicant Visiting Day to see for yourself.
  • The highlight of this degree for all of our students is the year abroad. You will be required to spend your year abroad (your third year) in France or a French speaking country. Some students opt to spend their time equally studying with our partnered Universities in France or a French speaking country. Others have spent their time undertaking a paid or unpaid work experience placement in the two countries. Find out what your options are by visiting our Studying Abroad page.
Our Staff

All academic staff at the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies are research active and/or involved in Knowledge Transfer projects and have either relevant academic qualifications at doctoral level or equivalent professional experience and expertise.

All of the lecturers in the Department of Modern Languages are qualified to PhD level and are research active specialists in their chosen field. We also employ highly qualified and experienced language tutors, and native-speakers, who will ensure that your learning is of the highest possible quality and who will provide you with constant support through your years of study.

Modules September start - 2024

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Theatre in Context 1 TP11020 20
Theatre in Context 2 TP11320 20
Beginners French 1 FR10920 20
Beginners French 2 FR11020 20
French Language Advanced FR19930 30
Images of France: The French Family FR12910 10

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Site-Specific Performance Project TP11420 20
Studio Theatre Project TP11120 20
Body, Voice, Expression. TP10220 20
Body, Voice, Perception TP10120 20
Brazilian Portuguese (Basic) EL10720 20
Introduction to European Film EL10520 20
Introduction to French Studies FR11120 20
Language, Culture, and Identity in Europe EL10820 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Employability is embedded across our teaching within the Department of Modern Languages and the Department Theatre, Film and Television. The Year Abroad is where our graduates are more distinguished than others. Upon successful completion of the Year Abroad, students return with an increased skill set, stronger language competencies and the ability to adapt in any situations. 

What can I do with a French/ Drama and Theatre Studies degree?

Many of our students have been successful in obtaining employment in these fields;

  • Acting and Performing;
  • Directing;
  • Translation and Interpretation;
  • Education;
  • Designing;
  • Script writing;
  • Teaching and education;
  • Arts administration;
  • Marketing;
  • International Banking;
  • Management;
  • Public Relations.

Transferable Skills

In addition to subject specific skills and knowledge, studying for a degree in French and Drama and Theatre Studies will equip you with a range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. These include:

  • Communication skills;
  • Interpersonal skills;
  • Intercultural competence;
  • The ability to learn other languages with relative ease;
  • The awareness of the function of language;
  • Improved language skills in your mother tongue;
  • The ability to work independently;
  • Time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines;
  • The ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form;
  • Self-motivation and self-reliance;
  • Team-work, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement;
  • The ability to apply creative, imaginative and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations;
  • The ability to research, evaluate and organise information;
  • The ability to structure and communicate ideas effectively in a variety of situations and using a variety of means;
  • The ability to listen to and make use of critical advice.

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four year degree scheme.

In all years, you will have four weekly hours of language work.

In your first year you will:

  • Learn about the founding moments of French culture;
  • Have the choice to study general modules on film, language and identity;
  • Contemporary approaches to studio-based and site-based theatre-making;
  • Key historical moments, practices and methods in drama and theatre;
  • The analysis of drama, theatre and performance.

In your second year you will:

  • Be able to choose from a range of content modules on French literature, language, history of art, or cultures of contemporary France;
  • Write a first essay based on your independent research, with tutorial supervision;
  • Contemporary theatre-making through practical, historical and theoretical approaches;
  • Full-scale production work;
  • Acting, directing and dramaturgy, devising, and designing;
  • The development of modern European Theatre;
  • Shakespeare in contemporary performance;
  • Theatre and contemporary society;
  • New Media and performance writing.

In your final year you will:

  • Create independent creative work;
  • Produce your research dissertation;
  • Linguistics and semantics;
  • Current affairs in French and Francophone society;
  • Undertake a major research project and engage in advanced theoretical study;
  • Teaching English to speakers of other languages;
  • Extend your skills in ensemble and solo production projects;
  • Develop your entrepreneurial skills in producing and curating cultural events;
  • Write your own play script.

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through practical workshops, small-group seminars, lectures, production projects and group based project work.

Our teaching is frequently mixed-mode, interrogating theory through practical investigation and practice through the lens of various theoretical perspectives.

You will be assessed through formal and performed essays, written and practical examinations, critical and creative portfolios, practical productions, seminar presentations and group activities.

You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree scheme, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You are free to contact them at any time for help and advice.

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 120 - 104

A Levels BBB-BCC to include B in French (unless to be studied as a beginner)

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh

BTEC National Diploma:
DDM-DMM to include B in A level French (unless to be studied as a beginner)

International Baccalaureate:
30-28 with 5 points in French at Higher Level

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall with 7 in French

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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