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  • French Language Short Courses
  • 2012/2013 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment
    • A combination of coursework and/or a final examination.
  • Attendance

    • Central London

      • One evening a week for 32, 29 or 16 weeks.
      • Intensive Beginner–Elementary/Intermediate and Lower Intermediate/Intermediate: two evenings a week for 16 weeks.

      Stratford

      • One evening a week for 16 weeks.
  • Duration

    • Central London

      • Beginner–Elementary/Intermediate (Levels 1 and 2): 32 weeks over three terms (October–June); intensive option: 16 weeks (October–February or February–June).
      • Lower Intermediate/Intermediate (Levels 2A and 2B): 16 weeks (October–February or February–June).
      • Upper Intermediate/Advanced (Levels 3 and 4): 29 weeks over three terms (October–June).

      Stratford

      • Beginner/Elementary (Levels 1A and 1B): 16 weeks (October–February or February–June).
  • Entry requirements

    • None for complete beginners. If you have some knowledge of French, you will normally complete a language placement test so that we can place you at an appropriate level. You may be called for an interview.

  • Fees and funding
  • Financial support
      • If you are a new student starting on a course in autumn 2012, you may be able to get a student loan to cover your fees and other Birkbeck financial support. Check if you're eligible.
      • If you are already studying with us and continuing on a course that you started before autumn 2012, find out about financial support and see if you are eligible.
      • Not sure if you are a new or a continuing student? See here for more information.
  • Location
    • Central London and Stratford.
  • Teaching

    • We employ a variety of methods and media, with the aim of introducing and making familiar different language varieties and cultures. All modules are taught in French.

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French Language Short Courses - 2012/2013 entry


  • Overview
      • Learn how to speak and understand French from beginners level.
      • Discover the diversity of cultures in the French-speaking world.
      • Take modules individually or as part of a Certificate of Higher Education or BA degree. 
  • Course structure and modules
  • Further study opportunities
  • How to apply/enrol

    • We operate a rolling application procedure and some modules fill up quickly. We encourage you to enrol as early as possible.

      French 1, 1A and 1B
      French 1 and 1A are for complete beginners and have no entry requirements. You can enrol online immediately for these modules. 

      You can also enrol online for French 1B. Before enrolling, please check the module description to help you decide whether this is the right entry point for you. If you are unsure, please contact us and we will send you a placement test to see which module is best for you.

      French 1A and 1B (worth 15 credits each) are the equivalent of French 1 when combined. These shorter modules offer greater flexibility of study by allowing you to enrol on, and pay for, one 16-week module before enrolling on the next.

      French 2, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4

      French 2A and 2B (worth 15 credits each) are the equivalent of French 2 when combined.  These shorter modules offer greater flexibility of study by allowing you to enrol on, and pay for, one 16-week module before enrolling on the next.

      You should enrol online using the generic language module code at the end of the module descriptions. You will receive an email with a web link to a placement test, which you should complete and return as soon as possible. You may also be asked to attend an interview. The admissions tutor will advise you of the appropriate level of class, normally within two–three weeks of receiving your completed test.

      Each module lists the days on which classes are offered, and the placement test asks you to indicate your preference between the different days where more than one class at any level is offered. We will then place you in your preferred class, subject to availability. If we are only able to offer you a class which runs on a day/time that you cannot attend, we will give you a full refund.

      If you do not have internet access, you may enrol in person at the My Birkbeck Helpdesk or phone us on 020 7631 6316. You should then call the Cultures and Languages Office on 020 7631 6113/6170, and they will send you a placement test.

      Please note: we are revising our module codes in 2012 so these may be different to those in the printed prospectus, although the module content will not be affected.