French at UC offers a range of unique experiences and opportunities to improve your knowledge of French language and culture. The student-run club UC FrenchSoc offers French-themed activities and social events.
French student exchanges
Peter Rawlingson, the Exchange Coordinator at the University of La Rochelle in France, and one of the La Rochelle students, visited UC on 22 April, 2013 to promote the exchange programme between our two universities. He gave a presentation about this exciting study abroad option and met individually with students interested in the exchange.
If you are enrolled in our French programme you can study one semester or one year of your University of Canterbury degree in France by taking part in a student exchange programme with one of the following institutions:
- Sciences-Po, Paris - find out more
- IEP, Aix-en-Provence - find out more
- Université de La Rochelle - find out more
As you remain enrolled at Canterbury for the period of your exchange, you pay Canterbury tuition fees rather than fees at the partner university. You will be responsible for all your living expenses while on exchange, but the International Office has a number of travel grants available to assist with the cost of airfares and if you are eligible for a student loan/allowance here at Canterbury, you will continue to be eligible while on exchange.
For further information or visit the Outgoing Exchange page, or contact ucmobility@canterbury.ac.nz
French teaching assistantships
Every year the French Ministry of Education gives New Zealand students and teachers the opportunity to be an 'assistant d'anglais' in a French secondary school. This involves taking 12 hours of English classes per week for about 6 months. Most are available in schools in France, but there are also some in New Caledonia, the Wallis Islands and French Polynesia. You have to pay travel costs yourself. The host school sometimes arranges accommodation and meals at reasonable prices. For up-to-date information about these assistantships, please consult the French Embassy in New Zealand website.
Applications are normally called for by the end of August. Applicants must have New Zealand citizenship and be between 20 and 30 years of age. Successful applicants take up their position in October the following year, except for New Caledonia, where the school year begins in March. This is one of the best ways of experiencing life in a French-speaking country.
French government grants and scholarships
Each year the French government awards various grants and scholarships to New Zealand students who wish to pursue their studies in France. For detailed information please consult the French Embassy in New Zealand website.
