French & Francophone Studies

French is spoken by over 325 million people around the world. Don't get left out of the conversation.

Whether you're a beginner or already fluent in the language, you'll find a place in our department that will allow you to study French language, literature and culture with an undergraduate or graduate degree or our unique Certificate in Language and Cultural Proficiency.

I could barely conjugate "être" when I first set foot on the UVic campus four years ago, and now I can't imagine myself choosing any other path besides becoming a French teacher. Learning from the brilliant and inspiring professors and students of UVic's French department has been an absolute privilege; I feel very lucky to have acquired so many valuable lessons, both personal and academic, which I will undoubtedly carry with me into my teaching career. I would not have completed this degree (or had nearly as much fun doing so) without the generous support and encouragement I received from many professors along the way, mes remerciements sincères à tous !

—Erin O'Toole, French and Francophone Studies (Bachelor of Arts - Major) 2021

There are so many reasons to study French: it's one of Canada's official languages and is spoken by millions of people across five continents. At UVic, you’ll explore everything from cinema and literature, to computer-assisted language learning and translation.

As a French Immersion teacher, I intertwine teaching philosophies and techniques unique to Core French with those of the French Immersion model so that my students are inspired to take a much more active and inquisitive role in developing their proficiency of French.

—Dylan Trerice, French and Francophone Studies (MA in French Literature, Language & Culture) 2015

Ready to translate your skills into French? Find your edge with us.

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) Peoples on whose
territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ ʷəŋən and W̱ SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical
relationships with the land continue to this day.

 Avec respect, nous reconnaissons les peuples lək̓ʷəŋən et leur territoire traditionnel, où est établie l’Université de Victoria, ainsi que les peuples Songhees, Esquimalt et W̱SÁNEĆ dont les relations de longue date avec ces terres non-cédées continuent jusqu’à ce jour.

Statement 

The Department of French and Francophone Studies at UVic reaffirms its dedication to fostering a profound understanding of the rich tapestry of literatures and cultures across the French-speaking world through resolute action. 

French, though rooted in colonial history, is spoken by over 300 million individuals worldwide. Recognizing its complex legacy, the Department stands committed to dismantling and unlearning the colonial vestiges upon which French and Francophone Studies were developed as a discipline. This entails amplifying marginalized narratives and experiences while reshaping critical methodologies and approaches. 

Racism, homophobia, transphobia, linguistic discrimination, sexism, and all other forms of oppression have no place in the activities of the Department. Should you perceive any divergence from this transformative vision and the actions of the Department or its members, you are invited to share your feedback at sllcstudentsupport@uvic.ca. 

Through unwavering commitment and collective action, the Department strives to forge an academic community rooted in inclusivity, diversity, equity, and justice. 

Déclaration

Le Département de français et d’études francophones de UVic réaffirme son engagement à favoriser la compréhension profonde de la diversité des littératures et des cultures de la francophonie mondiale par des gestes concrets. 

Le français, bien qu’enraciné dans l’histoire coloniale, est parlé par plus de 300 millions de personnes à travers le monde. Conscient de la complexité de son héritage, le département s’engage à démanteler les vestiges coloniaux sur lesquels les études françaises et francophones se sont construites. Cela implique d’amplifier les récits et les expériences des personnes marginalisées ou minorées tout en remodelant les méthodologies et les approches critiques utilisées. 

Le racisme, l’homophobie, la transphobie, la discrimination linguistique, le sexisme et toutes les autres formes d’oppression n’ont aucune place dans les activités du département. Si vous percevez des divergences entre cette vision transformatrice et les actions du département ou de ses membres, vous êtes invité·es à transmettre vos commentaires à l’adresse sllcstudentsupport@uvic.ca.  

Grâce à un engagement inébranlable et à des actions collectives, le Département de français et d’études francophones s’efforce de forger une communauté universitaire ancrée dans l’inclusion, la diversité, l’équité et la justice.