Overview

The French program from Williams College allows for an individualized course of study involving work in several departments and the opportunity to study abroad.

Students electing the French Studies Major should speak with a French Major Advisor (Professors Brian Martin and Cécile Tresfels in 2020-21) by the end of their sophomore year, before submitting their Declaration of Major Form to the Registrar. This is imperative for students who are planning to spend a part or all of their junior year Studying Abroad.

Why Consider a French Major or French Certificate?

In our globalized world, the study of foreign languages is essential to cultural understanding and professional success. Employers and graduate schools seek candidates who can bring excellent communication and language skills to their studies and work. Students who have completed foreign language majors and minors report that interviewers are impressed with their language skills and cultural proficiency. This is as true for those attending Medical, Law, and Business Schools as it is for those pursuing careers in Academia, Public Service, and International Relations.

Our French Majors and Certificate Students thrive at Williams! They often combine their French Major or Certificate with double majors in Biology, Chemistry, Math, Computer Science, History, Political Science, Art History, English, Comparative Literature, and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. They frequently live, intern, and study abroad in France, Switzerland, Morocco, and Sénégal during their junior years, and many spend a postgraduate year working abroad with the Teaching Assistant Program in France. Following graduate school at prestigious universities (such as NYU, University of Michigan, Vanderbilt, and Harvard), our French Majors and Certificate Students gone on to dynamic careers in education, medicine, law, public service, politics, business, journalism, and the arts.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

French Language and Francophone Cultures
Advanced Studies in French Language and Francophone Culture
Advanced French: Danger and Desire in French Film and Fiction
Voyages Francophones: Alienation and Self-Discovery in Contemporary Literature and Film
War and Resistance: Two Centuries of War Literature in France (1800-2015)
On Strike: Workers and Revolutions in the French Republic

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-04 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-01-08 00:00:00

Language

English

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Language Studies French studies View 469 other Bachelors in French studies in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Williams College and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application
School Report
Counselor Recommendation
Two Teacher Recommendations
Mid-Year Report (Due February 5 or for schools on a trimester, when 2nd trimester grades are available)
$65 Application Fee or Fee Waiver
Early Decision Agreement Form (Early Decision applicants only)

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

64540 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 64540 USD per year during 48 months.
National

64540 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 64540 USD per year during 48 months.
In-State

64540 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 64540 USD per year during 48 months.

Living costs for North Adams

876 - 1815 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for French.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About