University of New Brunswick

What you'll study

The French degree combines progressive language instruction with courses in literature, culture, linguistics and applied French. Early courses reinforce grammar, pronunciation and conversation; intermediate and advanced modules focus on oral fluency, academic writing and critical reading. Course examples include Contemporary French Grammar, Francophone Literatures, Quebec and Acadian Cultural Studies, Historical and Modern French Prose, Translation and Interpretation, French Linguistics, and Second Language Acquisition.

Students typically choose between a general Bachelor programme and an honours stream or combined/double-major options. The programme often includes opportunities for independent research or a capstone project in the honours route, practicum placements for those pursuing teaching or translation, and study-abroad or immersion exchanges with francophone universities. Electives permit interdisciplinary study with history, political science, education or business.

Entry requirements

Admission requires a secondary-school diploma with successful completion of the university’s prescribed senior-level courses, including English. Competence in French is expected for direct entry to advanced courses; applicants with limited previous French study are typically admitted to introductory language streams. Many students must complete a placement test on arrival so they are registered at the correct level.

Specific requirements vary by applicant category. Mature applicants, transfer students and those with post-secondary coursework should provide transcripts for assessment. Applicants aiming for the honours stream should meet the programme’s academic standards in first-year French and may need to apply for honours candidacy after initial coursework.

Career prospects

Graduates with a French degree pursue a wide range of careers that require strong bilingual communication and cultural literacy. Common paths include teaching (with provincial certification), translation and interpretation, federal and provincial public service roles, diplomacy and international relations, communications and publishing, tourism and cultural management, and third-sector work with NGOs and community organisations.

The degree also provides a solid foundation for further study in areas such as education, law, public policy, library and information studies, or graduate-level francophone studies and linguistics. Practical experiences—internships, exchange semesters and translation practica—help students build portfolios and professional contacts.

Why study at University of New Brunswick

Studying French at UNB places you in Canada’s only officially bilingual province, with close access to vibrant francophone and Acadian communities for cultural immersion and work placements. UNB’s language instruction emphasises small-class interaction and direct faculty supervision for research and capstone work.

The university supports language learning with dedicated resources such as language labs, conversation groups and co-curricular activities, and it maintains exchange partnerships with francophone institutions to facilitate study-abroad experiences. The programme’s flexibility allows students to combine French with complementary disciplines, and career advising helps translate language skills into employment in public service, education and the private sector.