Code | HDAFR |
Duration | 1 year Full-time; 2 years Part-time |
Teaching Mode | Full-time, Part-Time |
Qualifications | HDip in Arts |
NFQ Level | Level 8 |
Closing Date | Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised. |
Non-EU Closing Date | Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised. |
Start Date | 8 September 2025 |
The Higher Diploma in French is aimed at graduates who want to be considered for a master’s course in French, but do not have an honours degree in French, or who want to add a Higher Diploma in Arts subject to their qualifications.
Objectives of the course:
- to provide you with opportunities to further develop your skills in the study and the use of the French language
- to provide you with opportunities to extend and deepen your skills in the reading and discussion of texts
- to introduce you to work in specialised areas of French as a multidisciplinary subject
- to give you a sense of French culture in French-speaking countries around the world
The modules on offer, are in the main, those offered to second-year and final-year degree students. French as a degree-level subject is organised into a number of distinct elements:
- language modules on reading, writing, speaking and listening
- core modules dealing with the study of culture and literature
- specialised modules covering different areas of French as a multidisciplinary subject, including literary studies, linguistics, French thought and the history of ideas, cultural studies, French society and institutions, and the francophone world.
Modules (60 credits)
- FR2602 Modern French Culture
- FR4202 Structure and Varieties of Contemporary French
- FR2305 Introduction to Francophone Postcolonial Studies
- FR2306 The Theatre of the Absurd
- FR4307 Contemporary French Theatre
- FR2404 French Language Today
- LL3002 Travel Writing
- FR2403 Introduction to Specialist Translation
- FR4308 Literary Studies: Modern French Fiction
- FR4407 Advanced Specialist Translation
- FR4403 Second Language Acquisition
- FR2702 Women in French Society and Culture
- FR2204 Topics in Literature and Culture
- FR4702 Contemporary Society and Politics in the French-Speaking World
If you are applying for this course to gain a teaching subject please consult with the Teaching Council subject Declaration form to view specific requirements for this subject.
If you are applying for this course for future eligibility into the Profession Master of Education (PME), see our PME page.
For the full-time one-year option, you are required to choose from modules that, when combined, result in 60 credits. Most modules have a value of 5 credits and involve one hour of teaching per week for the duration of the academic year. However, a language module represents 10 credits and involves three classes a week, one of which focuses on oral skills. This means a full-time student will have a total of 13 hours of classes per week for the duration of the academic year.
Assessment is by a combination of essays and final-year examinations in both written and oral French.
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over two years.
Why Choose This Course
The Higher Diploma in French at UCC is delivered by an active team of teachers and researchers who support and encourage students who want to learn about French and Francophone cultures and are keen to become independent thinkers.
The qualification will give you a strong sense of the importance of France and the French language in the world today. You will acquire not only knowledge but also skills. The global spread of French as a language, the economic strength of France, as well as emerging Francophone cultures, make this a great time to discover more from our Department.
Skills and Careers Information
This course will enable you to:
- develop your language skills through extensive reading of materials in French
- comment analytically on a wide range of materials in French
- demonstrate an awareness of French and francophone culture and cultural production
- apply critical methodologies developed by French and francophone writers in thought and/or literature and/or linguistics and/or cultural studies
- apply research methodologies to prepare original, well-argued essays on a range of subjects relating to French language and culture.
These skills of analysis and research and these forms of cultural and inter-cultural competencies are of critical importance to those wishing to pursue careers in education, journalism, government, European institutions, and executive administration in multinational companies.
It is intended for those who already have a 3 or 4-year primary degree, preferably in the area of Arts or the Sciences, and who wish to study the subject French intensively over one academic year. The Higher Diploma in Arts is a conversion programme and applicants would not normally have studied the relevant subject to the Honours Degree level previously.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026
See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.
Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.
How To Apply
1. Check dates
Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.
2. Gather documents
Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
- Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
3. Apply online
Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:
You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
Please indicate your level of foreign language expertise in any of the languages offered by the programme.
Please note that the Higher Diploma in Arts programme is not a teacher training programme. Graduates must complete the Professional Master of Education to qualify as a secondary school teacher. See our PME page (www.ucc.ie/en/pec01) for further details.
The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.