University degree
Licence universitaire
- Talk about your university study or goals.
- Know vocabulary about higher education.
- Know the higher education system and institutions of your new country.
Learn essential French vocabulary and expressions for university enrollment and academic planning, including words like « dipl f4me » (degree), « inscription » (registration), and « conseiller p e9dagogique » (academic advisor). This lesson covers key dialogues about university systems, course choices, and administrative steps.
Vocabulary (15) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercice 1: Conversation exercise
Instruction:
- When did you graduate high school (and university)? (When did you graduate high school (and university)?)
- What internships did you do while studying? (What internships did you do while studying? )
- What are your educational plans? (What are your educational plans?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
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J'ai obtenu mon diplôme de lycée en 2019. Je suis encore étudiant à l'université maintenant. I graduated from high school in 2019. I am still studying at university now. |
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J'ai obtenu mon baccalauréat en 2012 et ma licence en 2016. I graduated high school in 2012 and university in 2016. |
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J'ai travaillé dans un bureau pendant deux mois. J'ai appris sur les ordinateurs. I worked in an office for two months. I learned about computers. |
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J'ai effectué un stage d'été dans une école. J'ai aidé l'enseignant. I did a summer internship at a school. I helped the teacher. |
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Je n'ai pas étudié avant, mais maintenant je veux apprendre. Je vais prendre des cours du soir. I didn’t study before, but now I want to learn. I will take evening classes. |
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Je suivrai des cours pour pouvoir assumer plus de responsabilités au travail. I will attend some courses so that I can take more responsibility at work. |
| ... |
Exercise 2: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Quand j'étais à l'université, j'______ souvent mes camarades avec leurs projets.
(When I was at university, I ______ often helped my classmates with their projects.)2. Pendant le semestre dernier, elle ______ le professeur à préparer les documents.
(During last semester, she ______ helped the teacher prepare the documents.)3. Nous ______ les étudiants étrangers à mieux comprendre le système éducatif français.
(We ______ helped foreign students better understand the French educational system.)4. Ils ______ leurs amis à s'inscrire aux cours du master chaque année.
(They ______ helped their friends register for master's courses every year.)Exercise 4: University Degree
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Aider - Help
Imparfait
- j'aidais
- tu aidais
- il/elle aidait
- nous aidions
- vous aidiez
- ils/elles aidaient
Passer - Take
Imparfait
- je passais
- tu passais
- il/elle passait
- nous passions
- vous passiez
- ils/elles passaient
Approuver - Approve
Imparfait
- j'approuvais
- tu approuvais
- il/elle approuvait
- nous approuvions
- vous approuviez
- ils/elles approuvaient
Être - Be
Imparfait
- j'étais
- tu étais
- il/elle était
- nous étions
- vous étiez
- ils/elles étaient
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Aider to help Share Copied!
imparfait
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') aidais | I was helping |
| (tu) aidais | You were helping |
| (il/elle/on) aidait | he/she/one was helping |
| (nous) aidions | we were helping |
| (vous) aidiez | you were helping |
| (ils/elles) aidaient | they helped |
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Lesson Overview: University Degree in French
This lesson introduces you to essential vocabulary and dialogues related to enrolling in university and understanding the French higher education system. It focuses on practical expressions used at the university admissions office, in meetings with academic advisors, and when discussing the structure of French university degrees.
Key Topics Covered
- How to inquire about university registration steps (« Au bureau des inscriptions universitaires »)
- Discussing academic goals with a counselor (« Rencontre avec un conseiller pédagogique »)
- Understanding the French university system (« Discussions sur le système universitaire français »)
Important Vocabulary and Expressions
- Diplôme universitaire – university degree
- Cursus – course of study (e.g., « un cursus en gestion d'entreprise »)
- Formulaire – application form
- Dates limites – deadlines
- Carte d'identité – identity card
- Relevés de notes – grade transcripts
- Licence, master, doctorat – key university degrees (bachelor's, master's, doctorate)
- Grande école – selective higher education institution
- Concours – competitive examination
Grammar Focus: Imperfect Tense Verbs
The lesson highlights the use of imperfect tense verbs like aidait, passais, and approuvions to describe habitual actions in the past, for example:
- "Pendant mes études universitaires, mon professeur nous aidait toujours quand nous avions des difficultés."
Structure of the French University System
The French higher education system typically includes:
- Licence: usually a three-year undergraduate degree after high school (bac).
- Master: graduate degree lasting about two years after the licence.
- Doctorat: doctoral studies following the master degree.
The lesson also distinguishes between universités, which are generally open to all students with a bac, and grandes écoles, which are selective and prepare students for specific careers.
Note on Language Use and Differences
Unlike English, French university degrees have specific names and a structured progression (licence, master, doctorat). The lesson uses French terms without translation to reinforce familiarity with these cultural and educational concepts.
Some useful French phrases and their English equivalents:
- "Je voudrais m'inscrire à un diplôme universitaire." – "I would like to enroll in a university degree."
- "Quels sont les documents nécessaires ?" – "What documents are necessary?"
- "Je vous conseille de consulter leurs sites web." – "I advise you to check their websites."
The verbs presented are in the imperfect tense, commonly used to describe ongoing or repeated past actions, which is a notable difference from the simple past tense often used in English narratives.
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