Does the University of California Have a French Program?

[Originally published 2019. Updated October 2025]

If you decide to apply to a UC, here’s a friendly reminder: the filing period for the UC admissions application is August 1-December 1, 2025.

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Going to college and thinking about studying French, the language of Molière? Maybe you’re wondering:

Does the University of California have a French program?

Short answer:

Yes! Currently, all nine undergraduate University of California (UC) campuses offer French language and/or French literature courses.

Long answer:

While all nine undergraduate UC campuses offer French language and/or French literature courses, only eight of them currently offer French degree programs.

So be sure to read program descriptions carefully, and note that:

• some UC campuses require French placement tests
• some UC campuses offer French programs as concentrations or specializations within their literature or linguistics departments
• students are encouraged to take advantage of study-abroad opportunities

I’m not a college admissions coach, but I hope you’ll find this link roundup helpful in your search and comparison of French programs offered at each of the nine undergraduate UC campuses.

UC Berkeley – Department of French

4125 Dwinelle Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720

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UC Davis – Department of French and Italian

One Shields Avenue, Sproul Hall, Room 213, Davis, CA 95616

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UC Irvine – European Languages and Studies

243 Humanities Instructional Bldg., Irvine, CA 92697

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UCLA – Department of European Languages and Transcultural Studies

212 Royce Hall, Box 951550, Los Angeles, CA 90095

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UC Merced – World Languages French Program

5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343

*Currently, there is no French degree program at UC Merced

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UC Riverside – Department of Comparative Literature and Languages

900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521

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UC San Diego – Department of Linguistics – Language Program

9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093

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UC Santa Barbara – Department of French and Italian

5206 Phelps Hall, Santa Barbara, CA 93106

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UC Santa Cruz – French Language Programs

1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064

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Good luck / Bonne chance !

If you decide to apply to a UC, here’s a friendly reminder: the filing period for the UC admissions application is August 1-December 1, 2025.

[Updated October 2025]

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Please note:

• The content provided here is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only
• You are encouraged to do your own research and contact the campuses directly if you have any specific questions about their programs
• Information is current as of October 2025 and is subject to change
• The links point to websites administered by the Regents of the University of California
• This post does not reflect the opinions or policies of the University

[Disclosure/Disclaimer: I am a UC employee and an alum of the UC Davis French A.B. degree program. Endorsement of a specific campus or program is not implied. This post is not sponsored by the University.]

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Thanks for reading Bonjour: A Francophile Blog!