French degree

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In a bilingual country and an ever-more globalized world, knowledge of French as a second language gives you an edge in almost any field.

At Waterloo, you can choose language courses that range from basic to advanced, as well as a wide variety of courses in French linguistics, translation, literature, culture, and civilization. You’ll learn from professors that include a Canada research chair and professors whose expertise cover French from a global and diverse perspective.

Meanwhile, if you're interested in gaining paid work experience through North America's largest co-op program, apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business Co-op and choose French as your major at the end of first year.

What courses will you take in French?

First-year courses

As an Arts student, you’ll choose your major at the end of first year. You’re encouraged to explore a second major in first year to discover potential new interests.

You will also take an Arts First course in either the fall or winter term of your first year. In this course, instead of going to a lecture hall, you and your classmates will work together to respond to an intriguing challenge. With only 25 students in this course, you might address topics such as The Science of Happiness, Are We Erasing History?, Games and Culture, and Writing About Poems and Songs.

You can choose to study French through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

Honours Arts

September to December

Choose one course from:

  • FR 151 – Basic French 1
  • FR 152 – Basic French 2
  • FR 192A – French Language 1: Module 1
  • FR 192B – French Language 1: Module 2 (if you've taken Grade 12 immersion or extended French)
  • FR 251 – French Language 2: Module 1

Plus:

  • ARTS 160 – Inquiry and Knowledge Creation
  • Prospective major #2
  • 2 electives

January to April

Choose one course from:

Plus:

  • Prospective major #2
  • 2 or 3 electives

Honours Arts and Business

September to December

  • ARBUS 101 – Introduction to Business in North America
  • ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Prospective major #2
  • Elective

Plus one course from:

  • FR 151 – Basic French 1
  • FR 152 – Basic French 2
  • FR 192A – French Language 1: Module 1
  • FR 192B – French Language 1: Module 2 (if you've taken Grade 12 immersion or extended French)
  • FR 251 – French Language 2: Module 1

January to April

  • ARBUS 102 – Accounting Information for Managers
  • ARBUS 202 – Professional and Business Ethics
  • ARTS 160 – Inquiry and Knowledge Creation
  • Prospective major #2

Plus one course from:

  • FR 151 – Basic French 1
  • FR 152 – Basic French 2
  • FR 192A – French Language 1: Module 1
  • FR 192B – French Language 1: Module 2 (if you've taken Grade 12 immersion or extended French)
  • FR 251 – French Language 2: Module 1

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

40% of the classes you’ll take will be French courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

Sample upper-year courses

FR 255 – Business French I
FR 291 – French Civilization I
FR 473 – Aspects of French Canada
FR 487 – African and Caribbean French Literature

Customize your degree in French

You can add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including one or more of the areas of focus in French.

  • French Teaching
  • Intensive French and Francophone Literatures and Cultures
  • Professional French

You can also include one of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular areas of focus for French students include Psychology and Applied Language Studies.

Faculty:
Faculty of Arts

Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in French

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
Yes

Immersive opportunities. Live at La Bastille, a French residence floor at Waterloo's United College. Or immerse yourself in culture and improve your language skills by studying in Quebec, France, or Switzerland for one or two terms.

A fast track to teaching. Interested in teaching? Our French Teaching Specialization offers direct admission to the Faculty of Education at Nipissing University once you've completed your degree here.

Co-op = relevant paid experience

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample co-op job titles

  • Social media student engagement coordinator
  • Research analyst
  • Project coordinator
  • Alumni relations and events assistant
  • Developer community associate

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

If you choose to study French through Honours Arts and Business, your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).

Year September to December (Fall) January to April (Winter) May to August (Spring)
First Study Study Off
Second Study Co-op Study
Third Co-op Study Co-op
Fourth Study Co-op Co-op
Fifth Study Study -

or after second year (which can be May to August 2027), if you choose Honours Arts

Year September to December (Fall) January to April (Winter) May to August (Spring)
First Study Study Off
Second Study Study Co-op
Third Study Co-op Study
Fourth Co-op Study Co-op
Fifth Co-op Study -

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with a degree in French?

Waterloo French graduates typically pursue careers where they can exercise their multi-language skills such as in communications roles, sales, translation, and education. They often work in schools, government, financial institutions and more.

Recent graduates

  • Marketing Communications Manager — TELUS Communications
  • Curator — Sombra Museum
  • Bilingual Credit Advisor — RBC
  • University Program Specialist — Google Canada
  • Bilingual Sales Agent — Fibernectics
  • Immigration Officer — Human Resources Development Canada
  • Translator — Manulife Financial

Learn about the future of careers in arts, humanities, social sciences, languages, and creative arts.

Tuition fees for programs in the Faculty of Arts

First-year tuition

Type of fees Tuition (8 months of school)
Domestic (Ontario residents) $9,000
Domestic (Out of province students) $10,000
International (visa students) $58,000
  • Estimated amounts listed include incidental fees. Fees based on 2025-26 tuition rates.
  • Visit our financing page to learn about scholarships, estimate your total expenses, and see how co-op can help pay for your education.
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"The professors are incredible, resourceful, knowledgeable, and friendly. Co-op (or in my case, volunteer placements) allowed me to ensure that I’m going into the field that’s right for me, giving me practical experience and opportunities to network." Sydney, French graduate

Admissions

Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose French as your major at the end of first year.

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

  • Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of at least 70%)

Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

Related program

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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, careers?

Please contact Stavros Stavroulias, our Faculty of Arts recruitment co-ordinator who can answer any questions you have.

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