Part of the degree program is taught in French. Therefore, you will need good active French language skills (B1 level pursuant to the CEFR). You must prove this by passing a language test during your studies. Alternatively, you can provide this evidence through comparable language diplomas (e.g. DELF B1, an “AbiBac” diploma, or a general qualification for university entrance in French).

More on language skills and the language test

Good English skills will also be helpful for your studies, especially when reading international specialist literature. You do not need to provide proof of proficiency in English.

If you have an interest in the culture and history of France and francophone countries, enjoy exploring and teaching intercultural communication, and have a good sense for language and language structures, you are well equipped for the French degree program.

You will study this subject as part of a two-subject bachelor’s degree program. The degree program always consists of an academic major and minor, which can be combined according to your interests or professional goals.

If you choose the subject as a minor, you will generally complete only a portion of the modules and classes taught to students of the major subject. As a result, you will focus on a selection from the content listed below.

Program structure

The French program of study is made up of three core areas. As part of the course of study, you can select your own focus among the various areas, including the following:

Literature

• Early modern era
• Classical modernity
• Non-European francophonie

Linguistics

• Onomastics (the study of names)
• Language acquisition
• Gender linguistics
• Political linguistics
• Media language
• Language standardization

Cultural studies

• Transatlantic francophonie
• Political discourses
• Text traditions
• Cultural theories

You will also have the opportunity to attend courses in or spanning across other subjects or disciplines.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Internships

In this program, the completion of an internship is mandatory.

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

In addition to your in-depth language proficiency and specialist knowledge of the culture, literature, and history of French-speaking countries, you will have acquired many other skills during your studies. These include writing and research skills, competence in knowledge and science communication, media literacy, and intercultural competencies. These skills in the area of humanities or cultural studies will make you an appealing candidate for jobs in a wide range of sectors:

Graduates typically work in the following fields:

• Research in the areas of language, culture, and literature (i.e., at university, in research institutes, or as part of a project)
• Language mediation and private language classes – either one-on-one, at companies, or at state educational institutions
• Translation (including post-editing machine translations)
• Media and public relations, editorial work (e.g., publishing, copy editing)
• Education and culture (e.g., at theaters, museums, private and public educational institutions, foundations, libraries, and archives, or in documentary work or adult education)
• Tourism, leisure, and event management
• International relations (e.g., in tourism, trade relations, development cooperation, diplomacy, and international organizations)
• International communication (corporations, organizations, etc.)
• Business (e.g., business advisory services, consulting, marketing, purchasing/materials management, human resources, corporate training)
• Politics (e.g., ministries, foundations, associations and clubs)
• Public services and administrations (e.g., as a specialist consultant)

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.