Learn French: a global language with massive reach
Communicate confidently across the French‑speaking world by studying French with us.
French studies here are an immersive experience. Our courses will get you reading, writing, and conversing in French as soon as possible. As you progress, you’ll be taught more and more in French—and you may be able to study in a French-language environment through our Study Abroad programme.
Your studies also bring you the cultures of French-speaking countries, so you can appreciate the contribution of Francophone cultures to world literature, philosophy, history, and the sciences. And because French is spoken by 300 million people worldwide, your language skills will be valuable to organisations with an international focus.
Bringing language study to life with Dr Yuri Cerqueira dos Anjos
Why Wellington
Wellington brings you unique opportunities to enhance your language and cultural learning. The Embassy of France sponsors the annual French Film Festival Aotearoa, and the Alliance Française runs cultural events and gatherings. Events include the Québécois Short Film Night and festivals for the Francophone African community.
Wellington also brings you chances to meet diplomatic staff and trade officials from French-speaking Pacific territories—connections that could lead to French-speaking careers in these areas. And Wellington’s branch of the French New Zealand Chamber of Commerce connects students with French business networks in New Zealand and the French Pacific.
Choose your study path
There are three ways you can study French with us at undergraduate level. Most courses involve lectures and tutorials on campus during the day.
Bachelor of Arts
You can study French as a major or minor subject within the three-year Bachelor of Arts (BA).
Our BA gives you many ways to combine French with other subjects. For example, you can broaden your expertise by pairing a French major with another major in:
- Cultural Anthropology
- Film
- Global Studies
- History
- International Relations
- Law
- Media Studies
- Political Science.
If you’re studying for a double degree or conjoint degree, French goes well with Commerce, Law, or Teaching.
French is a compulsory Pacific language option in the Pacific Studies major.
Short language qualifications
If you’d like to study a language without committing to a full major, a short qualification could be a good fit.
Certificate in Languages (CertLang)
The 60-point CertLang is a flexible, part-time qualification for anyone keen to add a language to their studies. It’s a great way to complement a Bachelor’s degree.
Diploma in Languages (DipLang)
The 120-point DipLang lets you go a step further, studying one or more languages part time—either broadening your range or building one language to a more advanced level. It can complement a Bachelor’s degree or stand alone as a qualification in its own right.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Study options
Find out how you can study French at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Language Study Abroad
We offer courses where you can study an Asian, European, or Latin American language at an approved overseas university during the New Zealand summer.
Study at a prestigious French language school abroad
We have established relationships with world-renowned language schools in France, such as the Science Po and the ENS de Lyon, which offer our French-language students spend part of their studies abroad. You could take:
- French summer classes at the Sorbonne in Paris
- French Immersion Campus—three weeks of intensive language study at the University of New Caledonia, Nouméa.
Future careers
Your French studies prepare you for roles that use your language skills, understanding of the French-speaking world, and cultural awareness.
French language skills can bring you opportunities in the countries where those languages are spoken.
FHSS internship
The FHSS internship course run by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences helps you develop practical experience in the workplace.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have first-year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for French
-
Two scholarships will be awarded annually to the top performing 300-level students of French, German, Spanish or Italian who intend to enrol in one of the above at Honours level the following year
-
The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
We also offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
-
This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.
-
This scholarship was established to encourage students to complete a major in Language Sciences at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, and continue to further study or careers in this field.
-
This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
Globally ranked
Our Modern Languages subjects are ranked in the top 250 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
Postgraduate study
If you choose to continue to postgraduate study with us after finishing your degree, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers doing innovative work.
- Postgraduate French
- Postgraduate Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation
- Postgraduate Translation Studies
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, you could continue on to study a Master’s or PhD if you want to do independent research.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you're facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.