Best university to study French? And maybe another language?

There isn't a 'best languages department' as such. Have a look at the Times league table (both overall and for French), which isn't the Bible that most TSR members would have you believe, but does give a good indication as to how a university is regarded and therefore how strong its language department is likely to be.

Remember, language degrees vary in what you cover (history, culture, politics, economics, literature...as well as the language itself!). For example, if you hate literature, you're not going to do well at Oxford, and some courses are more flexible than others (UCL let you choose which 'track' you take and Sheffield in particular have a very wide range of modules). Another thing to consider is the amount of contact time, and whether you learn best independently or with a teacher.

There is a very useful thread about choosing your language degree which also recommends some universities to study languages at (although I'd like to add Portsmouth, rated 7th by the Times for French, to the list).

I'm only an applicant like you (see sig for choices), but I have looked at a fair few courses so if you have any questions, although a current student will be able to answer better, I'll give it a shot. Good luck in your application

Edit: And actually your options don't rule you out for Oxbridge!

My school encouraged me to go, but I don't think they'll be a fan of BTEC Performing Arts and Media Studies.....eek.

Thanks for your info! x

Oxford don't specify any subjects, and for Cambridge so long as you have two academic subjects (which you do) it's all good.

Anytime

University of Paris?

Hm, but it does seem unlikely when the rest of 'TEAM OXBRIDGE' (as we're called at our college, the people doing 5 subjects and who are encouraged to go) are studying English Lit, Lang, Maths, Biology and History....pahahaha.

Actually, University of London in Paris would be well worth a look if the OP wants to do sole French



There's no advantage in doing 5 subjects and Eng Lang/Lit combination isn't well looked upon

I'd say if you do well at AS and like one of the courses at Oxford/Cambridge go for it. They're not for everybody, but don't automatically discount it or let your teachers put you off if it's what you want . Languages aren't that competitive either (1 in 2 people get an offer for single honours at Oxford ).

the one's in my sig :P

I hope!

I was thinking Durham- have you been on an open day or anything? Whats it like?

I do know that Bristol is super traditional and literature obsessed, if that's one of your ideas, just to throw that in there!

Really? How do you know?

That's not the impression I got at all from their French department's website, which states that after your first year you have a range of options which you can choose according to your own interests. They give Business French, Comic Drama, French Renaissance and French cinema, amongst other non-literary options, as examples.