French and History BA (Hons)

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View of Paris with the Eiffel Tower at sunset, representing French culture, language, and history explored through the French and History BA (Hons) degree.

Our BA History and French combined honours degree offers a unique opportunity to explore nearly two millennia of history, from the Roman era to the modern day, as well as studying French in small, supportive groups and to explore the contemporary history of the French-speaking world through the medium of language.

Benefit from the guidance of our close-knit team of medieval, early modern and modern historians who specialise in the history of Britain, Europe, America and their global influences, as well as the passionate French language experts, who are enthusiastic about sharing their expertise and dedicated to your success. You can tailor your modules by choosing from a wide range of history options, including those focused on France, such as the Norman Conquest, Crusades, Burgundian Netherlands, medieval rebellions, the Age of the Black Death, early modern witchcraft and heresy, or the First World War.

Gain practical experience working with collaborators such as the Chester PGCE in Secondary History, Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, the Grosvenor Museum, and Chester Cathedral. Further enhance your studies with a short placement in Guadeloupe or France during your second year. And spend a year abroad in your third year, in which you could choose to undertake a British Council English Language Assistantship or continue your studies of history and French at one of our partner universities, before returning for the final year back in Chester, where you will acquire practical skills in French for the business world through a specialised final year module.

This course offers a unique opportunity for you to develop your knowledge, skills and global perspective, so that you can excel within any field.

Why You'll Love It

Global perspective

Our course provides you with a deep understanding of French culture and its impact on the world stage.

world flags flying in the wind in a clear blue sky

Practical skills and employability

Equipping you with highly sought-after skills that will prove valuable in a variety of fields.

Student and staff looking at employability booklet

Unique, interdisciplinary learning experience

We give you the unique opportunity to combine your study of historical knowledge and language proficiency, offering a unique insight across both fields.

Students at Exton Park.

What You'll Study

The BA History and French course contains core modules in both subjects at each level of study. You will explore the past to allow you to prepare for your future through topics covering a thousand years of local, national and international history. Alongside this, you will develop your French language skills and apply them to real-world situations. Our inclusive curriculum means that you will challenge existing narratives about the past and will be encouraged to think critically about how and why these narratives have developed. You will also explore important themes and issues relating to race, diversity, gender, imperialism, conflict and climate change.

In Year 1 (Level 4), you are introduced to global historical events, are given the opportunity to explore historical debates and are also exposed to key themes in medieval, Early Modern and contemporary history.

French can be studied in a beginner or post A Level set. In Year 1 (Level 4), you will develop your language skills while exploring societies and cultures across the world where French is spoken.

Core Modules

On Global Histories: Defining Moments we introduce you to historical events and processes from across the world and over the last two millennia which effected substantial change. In doing so, we will transform your perspectives by changing your views on the past, and developing the key skills required of historians. Here you begin the transition to becoming historians who are globally aware, chronologically informed, curious citizens as well as historians who are trained in the skills and methodologies of cutting-edge, independent research.

Our Lectures will focus on historical themes including commercial change, global diseases, religious change, persecutions, genocide and enslavement, rebellions, revolutions, wars, and others.

Your Seminars will discuss related case studies on which you can choose to complete further research for your assignment. During these Seminars you will learn to distinguish, weigh and analyse primary and secondary sources related to the case studies and assess how to deploy them construct an argument.

On completing this module you will emerge equipped with a broad geographical and chronological historical knowledge to inform your preferences for optional modules and your historical thinking throughout the course. Through the Seminars and smaller group discussions you will adjust to university, build community and lay a foundation in the transferable skills required across the course.

This immersive module will offer you, as a student of French/Spanish, the opportunity to develop your language from beginner or Post A level through the study of French/Spanish speaking cultures from around the world. A wide variety of materials will be used, appropriate to your level, to support your language learning and allow you to explore the geography, history and diversity of regions of the world where French and Spanish are spoken. For Spanish, the emphasis is on Latin America and, for French, West Africa, North America and the Caribbean. You will build proficiency in grammar, comprehension and written and oral communication and survey cultural themes through film, literature, music and art. You will extend your academic skills, including strategies for independent learning, and apply these in assessments.

Optional Modules

Pre-Modern Movements allows you to study major social, religious and cultural movements in particular chronological and geographical contexts before about 1750, such as medieval Crusades and Rebellions or early modern Reformations and Civil Wars.

During the module you will think about how societies are organised and how social organisation relates to changes in religious beliefs or politics, or produces violence and oppression.

Along the way you will hone the skills you developed from Global Histories and History Wars in using primary evidence, analysing historical arguments, and constructing your own historical answers.

By the end of the module you will be well on your way to becoming historians who are chronologically informed, curious citizens, and who are trained in the skills and methodologies of cutting-edge, independent research.

Modern Spaces allows you to study significant cultural phenomena in particular chronological and geographical contexts after about 1750, such as conventions of conflict, ideas of the body, or cultures of leisure.

During the module you will think about how cultural assumptions arise and change in different historical circumstances, and what effects they have on people as individuals and groups.

Along the way you will hone the skills you developed from Global Histories and History Wars in using primary evidence, analysing historical arguments, and constructing your own historical answers. Through working with others to produce a group presentation you will acquire new skills in collaboration, oral and audio-visual communication, and responding to feedback.

By the end of the module you will be well on your way to becoming historians who are chronologically informed, curious citizens, and who are trained in the skills and methodologies of cutting-edge, independent research.

This module is designed for students that have completed A-Level or equivalent in French. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop your oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

This module is designed for students who have completed GCSE or equivalent in French. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Year 2 (Level 5) builds on this foundation through more complex learning: you will consider the uses and abuses of history in both the past and present; focus on more specific regions, events or periods; consider the role of history in the workplace; and produce projects with external partners.

In Year 2 (Level 5), your French is further applied to real-world situations in preparation for living, studying or working abroad. You may choose to take a language study placement abroad at the end of Year 2 (Level 5) or undertake a Cambridge CELTA qualification for teaching English to speakers of other languages.

During the year abroad you can live, study or work in countries where French is spoken. You can spend time as a language assistant, find a work placement or attend one of our partner universities.

Core Modules

Fake History and Conspiracy Theories will introduce you to the ways in which the past and present have been misrepresented in a variety of chronological and geographical contexts. You will be challenged by a range of historical sources revealing the complex nature of historical truth, propaganda, misrepresentation and censorship.
 
You will be encouraged to reflect on how the past is preserved, taught, understood and evaluated. Notions of ‘truth’ and ‘fact’ will be debated, and, in seminars, students will develop their critical thinking skills, to analyse and discuss different realties and the consequences of how history has been preserved and represented. 
 
By the end of the module, you will be better historians, and better citizens, more capable of rooting out misinformation and ‘fake news’, able to open-up a historical problem for further research, as well as produce more persuasive evidence-based arguments.

On Challenging History, you will study an historical subject from a particular different chronological and geographical setting. You will work with a member of staff to re-evaluate what historians have argued about those subjects with a special focus on the primary sources, and you will develop your own analyses of those sources.

There will be a choice of subjects from which to select your preferences, which may include the following:
• The Age of the Black Death
• Europe in the Age of Reason and Absolutism, c. 1660 to c. 1780
• Seeking the Promised Land - Black America, 1865-1977
• Imperial Endings: Britain in the Colonial and Post-Colonial Age

During this module you will consider how historians have approached the subject and its sources, how they have used the evidence to support their arguments, and how convincing you find their analyses.

Along the way you will hone the skills you developed from Global Histories, History Wars, Pre-Modern Movements and Modern Spaces in using primary evidence and constructing your own historical answers.

By the end of the Module, you will be well on your way to becoming a historian who is chronologically aware, historiographically well-informed, and curious, and who is trained in the skills and methodologies of cutting-edge, independent research.

This module will enable you to improve your linguistic proficiency by building on your existing competences and knowledge, while also developing vocational language skills and broader cultural awareness. You will learn about important themes and patterns in the history and configuration of France and its place in the wider world. Using a range of written and audio-visual texts in target language, you will study topics such as  Paris and the periphery, economic and political challenges and debates, the Algerian War and cultural memory, and migration and multiculturalism. You will advance towards a B1 or B2 level on the CEFR, depending on your initial level. All material is tailored to support your language level. Part of the module focuses on practical issues and real world situations and is orientated towards preparation for your in-person or virtual immersive experience in the French language, as well as for the world of work. You will enhance key skills such as reflecting on your learning and identifying personal and professional development opportunities, language mediation, and carrying out research.

Optional Modules

Curious Chester will ask you to work to an external, real-world brief to research the underrepresented past of Chester, its region, or other regions, and produce a professional public history resource.

You will work with internal and external partners, which may include Chester Heritage Festival, Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, the Grosvenor Museum, Chester Cathedral, the University of Chester PGCE in Secondary History, and others.

You will be given a brief to fulfil a real-world need identified by these partners and you will pursue an independent project to produce a public history resource, such as a learning resource, a digital catalogue, a transcription, a monument contextualisation, an exhibition design, a social media campaign, amongst many other possibilities.

You will complete some training in pursuing an independent research project which will prepare you for the Dissertation Module and you will reflect on your experiences as a foundation for applying for a career, assessing and representing your skills, and engaging in employee personal development processes.

By the end of the module, reflecting on the knowledge and understanding you acquired in History at Work, you will be historians trained in a distinctive historical place - Chester and its institutions - and will be prepared to be public historians who are professionally informed and experienced in producing real world, authentic outcomes.

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at advanced level. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a sustainability issue in a target language country. The first half of the module will prepare you for placements abroad where appropriate as well as a deeper understanding of sustainability in target language contexts. Students of more than one language may take one language in the first half of the module and spend their time abroad developing a different language. 

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at intermediate level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes an placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a business or tourism issue in a target language country. Students of more than one language may take one language in the first half of the module and spend their time abroad developing a different language. 

This module is designed for Level 5 students of all disciplines interested in a career in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. You will develop your language awareness and acquire a basic understanding of the communicative approach to teaching English as a Foreign Language.  You will also be introduced to a range of techniques for lesson planning, teaching and assessment. This knowledge will be applied practically in the planning of interactive learning activities and lesson structures, utilising the loop input approach. You will also be acquainted with a variety of language learning resources. This is a practical course and you will be required to demonstrate an ability to both plan and teach a variety of different lesson types to ESOL learners using appropriate English language teaching methodology.

Optional Placement Year

This module is for students of Languages who are undertaking an immersive year between levels 5 and 6 of a four year degree course. The module will include preparation sessions throughout level 5 in advance of departure and subsequent study at a partner university or approved work placement abroad or as an English Language Assistant. The year is divided into two semesters, so you may to split it between two placements of different types or in different countries.  If the planned mobility is not possible or is interrupted due to personal reasons or external circumstances, you will engage with a virtual version of the module, creating an immersive learning environment with tutorial supervision. 

This flexible module enables students taking the course in 3 years to undertake a placement or equivalent virtual study which will equip them to progress to the final year with the required linguistic development and cultural and intercultural knowledge. 

Optional International Placement Year

Preparation for the year abroad will take place in Chester during level 5 and will include:

  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Host-country orientation, study methods– economic, political and social reality of the country
  • Orientation specific to exchange – health, education, gender issues
  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Practical matters relating to living and studying in the wider world

Theories, models and strategies of learning

  • Critical thinking skills, experiential learning and models of reflection

Personal and placement-related transversal skills

  • Effective self-motivation and independent resourcefulness
  • Effective time management and organisational skills
  • Project management – working away from University and independent study
  • Self-management and personal development

Whilst abroad:

You will undertake study at one of the University of Chester's partner universities or undertake and approved work placement or virtual placement. If you are a student,  it is expected that you will choose a series of modules at the university abroad which must be agreed by the host institution and the Module Leader. you must supply details of you modules on a learning agreement within 4 weeks of arrival at the host university.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In Year 3 (Level 6), you will immerse yourself in special subjects which focus on particular historical issues (and relevant primary source material) in greater depth.

At Level 6, you will study French in the business world, translation and mediation, and can delve deeper into the study of languages in their diverse cultural contexts.

You will also undertake a major project in either history or French on a research topic of your choice with support from a supervisor.

The course contains several optional modules which may run depending on the availability of staff expertise and the viability of cohorts. Where available, these options provide you with the opportunity to undertake study in particular areas of interest.

Core Modules - Equal (with Dissertation in History)

The History Dissertation Module supports you to identify your own historical episode or topic on which to pursue an independent research project.

Our Lectures will focus on the main elements and steps required for a successful independent research project and poster presentation of the results.

Our supervision Tutorials will support you to apply those steps to your own chosen historical episode or topic.

Your project must reflect a thorough grounding in the relevant Secondary Literature and you must use an appropriate and significant range of Primary Sources in your research.

You may take a variety of approaches to the project, including: an in-depth historical analysis based on archival and Primary Sources; an historiographical approach based on extensive critical analysis of Secondary Sources; or an approach based on public or applied history, including placements.

After completing your independent project, you will produce poster presentations of your results to be exhibited in a final celebration of your research.

By the end of this Module, having applied the insights into interrogating historiography you gained from previous modules, including History Wars and Fake History and Conspiracy Theories, your experience of using Primary Sources to develop independent arguments from your History options, and your pursuit of an independent research project in Curious Chester, you will be an historian trained in the skills and methodologies of cutting-edge, independent research.

On the History Special Subject Part 1 you explore and study in-depth a specialist historical topic based on the academic specialisms of staff members.

There will be a choice of subjects from which to select your preferences, which may include the following:
• The Norman Conquest 1066-1154
• Court and Culture 1363-1477
• Slaves, Samurai and Serpent-Gods: Empires of the Early Modern World
• The British Wars and English Revolution, c. 1637 to c. 1660
• Freedom, Rights and Justice - American Constitutional History Since 1789
• Beauty and the Blitz: The Battle for Modern England (1800-2000)
• Gritty City, Urban Wonderland: The Rise of the Modern Metropolis
• The Culture of Defeat: Weimar Germany and the Legacies of the First World War
• Genocide in History and Memory

This module enables you to develop a critical understanding of your subject, but also of ways that history can be delivered to an audience through an oral presentation.

By the end of the Module, you will have utilised skills relevant to a wide range of future careers including, but not limited to, those in teaching and heritage.

The module begins with an overview of the business world in the relevant target language. You then focus on analysing and developing the specialised language and register required in a variety of business contexts. For example, in the fields of marketing and advertising, and when writing formal correspondence and attending business meetings. You will work with authentic and simulated materials to undertake a business negotiation in target language and produce a dossier that links to career progression. Employer guest speakers will contribute to cross-module sessions delivered in English.

In this module you will build on the higher level language skills acquired during in person or virtual placements and apply these to a more analytical and in-depth study of French as a global language. The module offers the possibility of developing your target language skills in practical and interactive ways with opportunities for topic research, oral practice and student input through presentations and class discussions. Using a range of written and recorded materials you will investigate how historical and political events have led to the use of French in different regions of the world and what the diversity of contemporary cultural, economic and ethical conditions means for the future of French.

This module will offer you the opportunity to examine thematically some of the challenges of representing identity and giving voice to diversity in contemporary global societies. You will explore a range of literary, visual, audio and cinematic texts (all available in English translation) from across the different language cultures studied on this course. These texts will be structured around dominant themes drawn from, among others: decolonising the intellectual; ableism, hip hop and oral traditions in the 21st century; visual representations of difference; young voices in protest; identity politics in action. You will analyse and discuss cultural representations of contemporary identities and be invited to suggest and present ideas for new texts to include.

Core Modules - Equal (with Major Project in French)

This module allows you the space to explore an area of language, culture or professional practice in greater depth, giving you the opportunity to steer your degree in a direction of your choosing. With your tutor's support, your guided project can be designed to suit your individual goals. This is an opportunity for you to find out more about a possible career path you may be considering or the scope of using your language in business and industry, you may wish to carry out further academic research on a topic related to languages and cultures or undertake a more practical project in the application of your language skills. Your guided project will consolidate skills and knowledge you have acquired elsewhere on the course and possible categories include: translation revision and post-editing; investigating freelance subtitling; pedagogical practice with school liaison linking theory and practice; business projects and academic research essays. The module allows you greater independence and choice in your final year and further develops transferable and employable skills.

The module begins with an overview of the business world in the relevant target language. You then focus on analysing and developing the specialised language and register required in a variety of business contexts. For example, in the fields of marketing and advertising, and when writing formal correspondence and attending business meetings. You will work with authentic and simulated materials to undertake a business negotiation in target language and produce a dossier that links to career progression. Employer guest speakers will contribute to cross-module sessions delivered in English.

History at the Cutting Edge will engage you in analysing an unsolved historical problem with which one of our staff is engaged, opening up the historiography through the Secondary Sources to ask new questions and interrogating the Primary Sources to provide new answers.

You will select an historical problem from those on offer each year, spanning the pre-Modern and Modern periods. 

Our Lectures will draw on our knowledge and understanding of the problem to help you review what has been written, break down the problem into logical steps, and identify the relevant evidence.

Your Seminars and small-group activities will involve active, critical discussion and analysis of what has been written and of the evidence to develop new ideas.

Building on your experiences in optional modules across the Course, by the end of the Module you will have advanced experience in applying the skills and methodologies of cutting-edge, independent historical research and argument.

On the History Special Subject Part 1 you explore and study in-depth a specialist historical topic based on the academic specialisms of staff members.

There will be a choice of subjects from which to select your preferences, which may include the following:
• The Norman Conquest 1066-1154
• Court and Culture 1363-1477
• Slaves, Samurai and Serpent-Gods: Empires of the Early Modern World
• The British Wars and English Revolution, c. 1637 to c. 1660
• Freedom, Rights and Justice - American Constitutional History Since 1789
• Beauty and the Blitz: The Battle for Modern England (1800-2000)
• Gritty City, Urban Wonderland: The Rise of the Modern Metropolis
• The Culture of Defeat: Weimar Germany and the Legacies of the First World War
• Genocide in History and Memory

This module enables you to develop a critical understanding of your subject, but also of ways that history can be delivered to an audience through an oral presentation.

By the end of the Module, you will have utilised skills relevant to a wide range of future careers including, but not limited to, those in teaching and heritage.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

The majority of teaching takes place in small groups, seminars and tutorials

You will be assessed in a variety of ways

This course is designed around in-person study

There may be some online learning activities

An aerial photograph of Exton Park with the text 'How we teach at the University of Chester'

How we teach at the University of Chester

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, you will study 40 credits comprising either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and 12 hours per week depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught.

The vast majority of teaching will be in small groups, in seminars and tutorials, but you will also get the chance to meet everyone in your year in large lectures for the core modules. When possible, we also take you out on field trips to historic locations or heritage sites for ‘hands-on’ learning. You will also undertake some structured activities online, allowing you to make the best use of your independent study time while developing essential digital skills.

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics in the field. This will be supplemented by talks from practitioners and occasional guest lecturers.

You will be assessed through a wide range of coursework methods, all of which are designed not only to test your subject knowledge and language proficiency but also to allow you to develop and demonstrate skills that are essential for success after university. These may include essays, source analyses, literature reviews and oral presentations, but also reflective exercises, digital assignments including video essays, podcasts and other digital media, poster presentations and portfolios. We continuously review the assessment methods used to ensure they adequately prepare you for graduate level employment.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core – building your subject competence, confidence and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Your Future Career

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

What Our Students Think

CUG 2026 - History

History Student Tour of Historical Places

Join history student Bailey for a tour of historical places discovered through her degree

Historical places to eat and drink.

Historical places to eat and drink

Where my course took me in Chester

Bailey history student

Chester city walls!

Video Image of student Bailey for a tour of historical places along Chester city walls!

Entry Requirements

112 UCAS points

UCAS Points

112 points

GCE A Level

One of the following subjects is required: A Level History, or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government and Politics, Sociology or Law

Typical offer – BCC-BBC.

BTEC

DMM. One of the following GCE A Level subjects is required: History or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government and Politics, Sociology or Law.

International Baccalaureate

28 points (including 5 in HL History, or a suitable alternative such as English, Philosophy or Social and Cultural Anthropology)

Irish/Scottish Highers

Irish Highers - H3, H3, H3, H3, H4 including History or an alternative such as English, Politics & Society or Religious Education

Scottish Highers - BBBB, including History or an alternative such as English or Religious Studies

Access requirements

To include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above. Must include 15 level 3 credits in History or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government & Politics, Sociology or Law.

Extra Requirements

GCSE grade C/4 in a modern foreign language is required, or A Level French or equivalent.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

English Language Requirements

IELTS

6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

Fees and Funding

£9,790 per year for a full-time course (2026/27)

The full-time tuition fees for Home students entering in 2026/27 are £9,790 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

£14,950 per year for a full-time course* (2026/27)

The tuition fees for international students studying programmes in 2026/27 are £14,950 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £11,250 and £14,950 for Years 2-4 in 2026/27.

Who You'll Learn From

Dr Brenda Garvey

Senior Lecturer
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Laetitia Cunliffe

Lecturer
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