French Language and Literature (in Universities) Schools and Programs in Spain

French Language and Literature (in Universities) Studies in Spain

A university degree in French language and literature (in Spain usually called Estudios Franceses, French Studies) covers the French language at an advanced level, the literature of France and the French-speaking world, linguistics, culture and translation between French and Spanish. In Spain it belongs to the philology and modern languages degrees taught in faculties of philology or arts, and it is offered by a small group of public universities as a dedicated degree and by more as part of broader modern languages programmes.

How the degree is organised

Under Royal Decree 822/2021, Spanish bachelor's degrees have 240 ECTS credits (four years) and master's degrees 60, 90 or 120 credits. At the Universidad de Salamanca, the Grado en Estudios Franceses shares a large common core with the other philology degrees in the first two years, so students can steer their studies towards language, literature or culture. From the first year, all specialist courses are taught in French. The curriculum covers the history, culture and art of France and the French-speaking countries, French and Francophone literature, discourse analysis, and translation from and into Spanish. The French philology department is also an official examination centre for the DELF and DALF diplomas.

Universities name the degree in different ways. In the Ministry's Register of Universities, Centres and Degrees (RUCT) you will find:

• Estudios Franceses: Universidad de Cádiz, Universidad de Granada, Universidad de Sevilla, Universidad de Murcia, Universidad de Alicante, Universidad de Salamanca, and a joint degree of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Universitat de Barcelona
• Filología y Cultura Francesas: joint degree of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Universitat de Barcelona
• Combined degrees: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (French and Spanish, English and French, and others)
• Modern languages with French: Universidad de Extremadura (Lenguas y Literaturas Modernas-Francés) and Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (French and English)
• Broader modern languages degrees, where French can be one of the languages studied: Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universitat de València, Universidad de Valladolid, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Universidad de Deusto

After the bachelor's degree there are official master's degrees such as Estudios Franceses y Francófonos at the UNED (distance learning), Francés Lengua Extranjera y Diversidad Lingüística (French as a foreign language) at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and Hispano-Francés en Lengua Francesa Aplicada at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

Where to study it and language requirements

The degree is spread across Andalusia (Seville, Granada, Cádiz), the Region of Murcia, the Valencian Community, Castile and León, Catalonia, Madrid and Extremadura. Classes in the core subjects are in French, and the rest are in Spanish (or Catalan in Catalonia), so international students need both languages. The Universidad de Salamanca requires B2 Spanish and recommends A2 French at entry; there is no admission test for the degree.

For French as a foreign language rather than a degree, universities also run language centres: UAB Idiomes, for example, offers French courses in Barcelona and on the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona campus. The language centres of the Universidad de Deusto in Bilbao and the Universidad de Córdoba are also listed in our directory.

Admission and recognition

Students who finished secondary school outside Spain usually apply for an UNEDasiss accreditation, which assesses their record for access to Spanish bachelor's degrees; each university then applies its own admission criteria, depending on the previous studies and the country of origin. Holders of a foreign degree can apply for convalidación to continue studying, or a declaración de equivalencia that certifies the academic level under Royal Decree 889/2022.

Careers

The Universidad de Salamanca lists teaching French in secondary schools, vocational training and official language schools (after the official master's for secondary teachers), research, translation and interpreting, literary criticism, publishing, cultural management in public bodies, embassies and consulates, language advice to companies and administrations, tourism, international and public relations, intercultural mediation, and posts in regional, national and EU administrations that require good French.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to speak French before starting the degree?

A basic level helps: the Universidad de Salamanca recommends A2 French at entry, since specialist courses are taught in French from the first year. Spanish at B2 level is compulsory there.

Which Spanish universities offer a degree in French Studies?

RUCT lists the Grado en Estudios Franceses at Cádiz, Granada, Sevilla, Murcia, Alicante and Salamanca, and jointly at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Universitat de Barcelona, among others.

Can I become a French teacher in Spain with this degree?

To teach in secondary schools you also need the official master's degree for secondary teachers (Máster Universitario en Profesor de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria y Bachillerato, Formación Profesional y Enseñanzas de Idiomas).

Can I take DELF or DALF exams at a Spanish university?

Yes, at some. The French philology department of the Universidad de Salamanca, for example, is an official DELF and DALF examination centre.