À Waterloo, les possibilités sont infinies.
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, literature, culture, and civilization. You’ll learn from professors that include Governor General prize-winners and world experts in French.
Meanwhile, if you're interested in gaining paid work experience through co-op, apply to Honours Arts and Business Co-op and choose French as your major at the end of first year.
Immersive opportunities
Live at La Bastille, a French residence floor at Waterloo's St. Paul's University College. Or immerse yourself in culture and improve your language skills by studying in Quebec or France for a year.
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.
About the program
Available as a 
Apply via Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business
Earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in French
International exchanges in 25 countries
Offered by the Faculty of Arts
Available as a major and minor
Admissions
- Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose French as your major at the end of first year.
First-year French courses
September to December
Choose 1 course from:
• FR 151 - Basic French 1
• FR 152 - Basic French 2
• FR 192A - French Language 1: Module 1
• FR 192B - (if you've taken Grade 12 immersion or extended French)
• FR 251 - French Language 2: Module 1
Arts First requirement 1*
3 additional courses
January to April
Choose 1 course from:
• FR 152 - (after FR 151)
• FR 192A - (after FR 152)
• FR 192B - (after FR 192A) and one of FR 250, FR 276, FR 296, FR 297
• FR 251 - (after FR 192B) and one of FR 203, 250, 276, 296, 297
• FR 252 - (after FR 251) and one of FR 203, 276, 296, 297
Arts First requirement 2*
2-3 additional courses
*The Arts First requirement consists of 2 first-year courses that are capped at 25 students: ARTS 130 - Inquiry and Communication and ARTS 140 - Information and Analysis. Instead of listening to a lecture and trying to capture notes, Arts First courses will have you and your classmates working together to respond to a challenge posed by the instructor.
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 Bachelor of Arts degree in French
Choose the French Teaching Specialization or additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor (or minors) as part of your degree.
Gain relevant work experience through co-op
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. Co-op is available if you study French through Honours Arts and Business.
Sample co-op job titles
- Social media & student engagement coordinator
- Research analyst
- Project coordinator
- Alumni relations and events assistant
- Developer community associate
Sample co-op employers
- Microsoft Canada
- Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation
- University of Waterloo
- The Regional Municipality of York
- FairVentures (A Fairfax Company)
Careers
Recent graduates
- Bilingual Life Policy Administrator, Sun Life Financial Inc.
- Translator, Manulife Financial
- Teacher, French, Sunshine Montessori School
- Immigration Officer, Human Resources and Development Canada
- Teacher, Ottawa Catholic District School Board
- Director of International Sales, Delrina Technology Inc.
- Teacher, Waterloo Region District School Board
Learn more about French
- Email Samantha Wiebe, our Arts recruitment co-ordinator, who can answer any questions about French
- Visit the French website
