Bachelor in Licence - Lettres

The Licence - Lettres (Degree in French Literature and Humanities) is a foundational programme in French-language literary studies, encompassing texts from the medieval period through to contemporary writing. Students develop close reading and textual commentary skills, build knowledge of literary history and the major genres — including poetry, theatre, and the novel — and strengthen their written expression in French through regular and varied practice. The curriculum also draws on linguistics, philosophy, rhetoric, and cultural studies, giving graduates a broad humanistic education that extends beyond literature alone. Throughout the three years, students progress from the analysis of individual texts to larger literary and intellectual questions, including the relationship between literature and society, the role of language in culture, and the history of ideas from antiquity to the present. Practical writing exercises, seminars, oral presentations, and individual research work develop habits of rigorous thinking and clear argumentation that are valued in many fields beyond academic literary study. The programme typically also includes an introduction to literary theory and the major schools of thought that have shaped modern approaches to reading and interpretation. Offered at Le Mans Université in Le Mans, France, this bachelor-level programme runs for 3 years. All instruction is in French. Tuition is 178 EUR per year, with an intake starting in September. Graduates go on to careers in education, publishing, journalism, cultural administration, communication, and library sciences, or continue to master's programmes in literature, language, or teacher training.