French at HKU

Important changes to the Major in French

The Major in Global and Area Studies (GLAS) was introduced in 2024-25 to combine and replace some Majors and Minors previously offered by the SMLC. French is now offered as part of the Global and Area Studies Major (GLAS). The French major is currently being phased out.

Click here to discover the Global and Area Studies programme: https://www.globalba.hku.hk/

Students who have already declared a Major in French read our FAQ about the French Major and the GLAS Major

The Major in French (72 credits)
(Only available to students of 2023-24 and 2022-23 cohorts)

To declare a major in French, applicants must initially complete two introductory core language courses, FREN1001 and FREN1002 (12 credits in all).  Students intending to major in French should achieve at least a grade C in FREN1002.

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In their second, third, and fourth years of study, students pursuing a major in French must take a total of 54 credits of French courses which should be distributed as follows: 
 

• A maximum of 24 credits from courses at Level 2XXX, of which 12 credits must be from the core language courses, FREN2001 and FREN2002;​
   

• At least 30 credits from courses at Level 3XXX, of which 12 credits must be from the core language courses, FREN3001 and FREN3002, and 6 credits from FREN3030, ‘capstone’ course.

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Students are strongly encouraged to participate in a 3 to 4-week linguistic stay in France or in a French-speaking country during the summer either between their second and third year or third and fourth year of studies. 

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French major components:

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• Prerequisite courses* (12 credits):

  • FREN1001 French I.1

  • FREN1002 French I.2
    * Offered to undergraduates in Year 1 or 2.
     

• One 6-credit Arts Faculty introductory course to be taken from any Arts programmes except French.
   

• Core courses ** (24 credits):

  • FREN2001 French II.1

  • FREN2002 French II.2

  • FREN3001 French III.1

  • FREN3002 French III.2
    ** Offered to undergraduates in Year 2, 3 and 4.
     

• French elective courses*** (24 credits):
  At least four 6-credit French elective courses (see the list of courses).
  *** offered to undergraduates in Year 2, 3 and 4.
  Please note that FREN2XXX electives have FREN2001/FREN2002 as co-requisites.
   

• Capstone experience course (6 credits):

  • FREN3030 Guided writing in French (capstone experience)

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Total: 72 credits

FAQ about the French Major and the GLAS Major

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If you have already declared a a Major in French (cohohort 2023-24 and beore), please take note of the following:

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1. All language Majors (including French) will be phased out over the next 4 years. What are the implications for students who have already declared a Major in French?
   
   Students from the 2023-24 and previous cohorts who have already declared a Major in French can continue their studies with the prescribed core language courses (36 credits), electives (24 credits) and capstone course (6 credits). All electives will be offered to Major students just like they have been up until now. If students go on exchange, they will be able to take courses abroad and transfer credits.
    

2. Can students of the 2023-24 cohort declare a major in French?
   
   Students of the 2023-24 cohort who have completed FREN1001 & FREN1002 in the academic year 2023-24 can continue their French studies and declare a Major, taking language core courses and electives to fulfil the credit requirements of the French Major in the following 3 years.
   
   Students of the 2023-24 cohort who have NOT completed FREN1001 & FREN1002 in the academic year 2023-24 but intend to enrol in FREN1001 & FREN1002 in the academic year 2024-25 can still declare a Major in French and complete the required courses and credits within the following three years of study.
    

3. Can students of the 2024-25 cohort declare a major in French?
   Students entering the university in the academic year 2024-25 will NOT be allowed to declare a major in French. They will still be able to study French either as a Minor or as part of the GLAS Major, where they will be able to choose a language concentration in French (for more information please browse our GLAS website: https://www.globalba.hku.hk/)
    

4. Will the French Major run concurrently with the new GLAS Major so that all students who have just started studying French can finish the Major?
   The answer is YES. All language Majors will continue running until the 2023-24 cohort graduates in the year 2026-27. Students will be able to complete their studies in their chosen language Major.
    

5. When will the French Major disappear?
   The French Major will not be offered to students entering HKU in the academic year 2024-25. However, students will still be able to study French either as a Minor or as part of the GLAS Major, where they will be able to choose a language concentration in French (for more information please browse our GLAS website: https://www.globalba.hku.hk/)
    

6. Can students from the 2023-24 cohort declare a major in GLAS?
   Students from the 2023-24 cohort may be able to choose the Major in Global and Area Studies (GLAS). They should approach SMLC office to get further information