Extend your studies in French and open global pathways across politics, business, technology and the creative industries.
Why study postgraduate French?
French is one of the world’s major international languages, widely used across Europe, Africa, and North America. As an official language of several Pacific territories, knowledge of French is a valuable skill for anyone interested in working across the region.
Your study of French gives you an advantage in areas such as business, tourism, and any organisation with an international marketing strategy. Skills in French communication and cultural understanding are highly regarded in fields like Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tourism, and Treasury. These strengths can support careers that involve representing New Zealand overseas and engaging with global partners.
French can also lead to opportunities in interpreting, translating, or subtitling films, where your ability to shape meaning across languages becomes a tangible professional asset.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate French prepares you for a range of pathways where communication, cultural understanding, and critical thought are essential.
You may find work in many fields, including:
- Diplomacy and international relations
- Humanitarian agencies
- Translation and language services
- Publishing, journalism and communications
- Tourism and cultural organisations
What it’s like to study at this level
Your learning in Otago’s French programme will combine advanced seminars, independent reading, and guided research – all designed to help you apply French language and cultural knowledge to various contexts.
Advanced language coursework will sharpen your analytical and communication skills. Students undertaking the Master of Arts degree can explore a topic that matters to them through a supervised thesis.
You will learn to articulate complex ideas clearly, adapt your communication to different audiences, and work across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
This is for you if ...
Experience in French language study is helpful, along with an interest in culture, history, literature or international topics.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying French as an undergraduate at Otago.
Turn your French expertise into global opportunity
Postgraduate French at Otago gives you the space, guidance, and depth to grow as a confident global communicator.
Immerse yourself in the richness of French language and culture, strengthening your understanding and developing skills that carry international appeal. In a world shaped by travel, collaboration, and constant communication, graduates who can move between languages and cultures are increasingly valued. French has long been a language of international relations and remains a key link across many parts of the European Union.
Studying French at Otago helps you expand your perspective and engage with societies beyond Aotearoa, which deepens both your cultural awareness and your professional versatility. You learn within a strong humanities environment that values rigorous thinking and encourages thoughtful, purposeful study. This experience gives you a toolkit that supports careers in fields shaped by global communication and cooperation.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
A two-semester programme of structured coursework, and in some cases supervised research, extending the knowledge and skills gained from the bachelor’s degree
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
A one- or two-year degree entailing a major research project, culminating in a thesis
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
Applications for the Bachelor of Arts with Honours in French are no longer being accepted. The Languages and Cultures programme Kā Reo me kā Tikaka o te Ao Whānui is introducing a new curriculum which will no longer offer honours.
| Papers |
|---|
| FREN 441 Advanced Topics in French |
| FREN 451 Studies in French |
| FREN 452 Studies in French 2 |
| FREN 490 Dissertation |
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in French is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in French or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in French must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in French prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
FREN papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FREN105 | 2026, 2027 | Intensive French for Beginners | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FREN131 | 2026, 2027 | Introductory French 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| FREN132 | 2026, 2027 | Introductory French 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| FREN232 | 2026, 2027 | Intermediate French | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| FREN233 | 2026, 2027 | French for Professional Purposes | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| FREN250 | 2026, 2027 | Crossroads in French Cultural Space | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FREN333 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced French 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| FREN334 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced French 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| FREN335 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced French 3 | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FREN336 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced French 4 | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FREN341 | 2026, 2027 | Topics in French | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| FREN350 | 2026, 2027 | Crossroads in French Cultural Space (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FREN441 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in French | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FREN451 | 2026, 2027 | Studies in French | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FREN452 | 2026, 2027 | Studies in French 2 | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FREN490 | 2026, 2027 | Dissertation | 60 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| FREN590 | 2026, 2027 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
Contacts
Languages and Cultures programme
School of Arts
Email languages@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/french
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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