History and French BA Hons | University of Chester

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Course Summary

Our History and French 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 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 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.

Our History and French degree 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

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. 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. At Level 6, you will immerse yourself in Special Subjects which focus on particular historical issues, and relevant primary source material, in greater depth.

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. 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.

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, supported by a supervisor, on a research topic of your own choice.

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.

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.

This course is delivered in three terms of 10 weeks each. In each term you study 40 credits comprising either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately 6 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 whilst developing essential digital skills.

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics in the field. This will be supplemented by talks by 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 in order that 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.

Entry Requirements

112 UCAS points

UCAS Tariff	112 points
GCE A Level	Typical offer – BCC-BBC, the school requires one of the following subjects: A level History, or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government and Politics, Sociology or Law
BTEC	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma – DMM, the school also requires one of the following GCE A Level subjects: 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 an alternative such as English, Philosophy or Social and Cultural Anthropology
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers - Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - 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	Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Merit (including 15 in History)
Extra Information	GCSE grade C/4 in a modern foreign language is also required. 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.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

The extra costs associated with your placement abroad will vary greatly depending on where you want to study or work. During your Level 5 core module, you will be advised on the different options available and guided on how to calculate the costs.

Where you'll study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Modern learning resources and library

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Student Services

Fitness facilities

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Accommodation

Catering

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.

History and French BA (Hons)