As a college student studying French, familiarizing yourself with essential vocabulary can make your academic and social interactions more fruitful. Here’s a list of useful French words every college student should know, complete with definitions and examples to help you start using them right away.
Université – University
This is the term for the institution where you pursue higher education.
Je vais à l’université pour étudier la biologie.
Étudiant(e) – Student
Refers to an individual who is enrolled in courses at a university or college.
Les étudiants se préparent pour les examens finaux.
Professeur – Professor
This word is used for a university teacher, typically one who is a faculty member.
Le professeur a donné une conférence intéressante aujourd’hui.
Cours – Course/Class
Refers to a series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject.
J’ai quatre cours ce semestre.
Conférence – Lecture
Used to describe a formal talk on a subject, often given by a professor.
La conférence sur la littérature française était captivante.
Examen – Exam
A formal test that assesses a student’s knowledge or proficiency in a particular subject.
L’examen de mathématiques était difficile.
Note – Grade
This word is used to describe the score or mark given for a student’s work or examination.
Elle a eu de bonnes notes en chimie.
Bibliothèque – Library
A building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for people to read, borrow, or refer to.
Je vais à la bibliothèque pour étudier pour mon examen.
Thèse – Thesis
A statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved, particularly a long essay or dissertation involving personal research, written by a candidate for a college degree.
Il travaille sur sa thèse de maîtrise en philosophie.
Logement – Housing
Accommodation or lodging, especially as provided for students on a college or university campus.
Le logement étudiant est très cher dans cette ville.
Bourse – Scholarship
A grant or payment made to support a student’s education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievements.
Elle a reçu une bourse pour étudier à l’étranger.
Matricule – Student ID number
A unique number assigned to each student upon enrollment that is used for identification purposes.
N’oubliez pas d’inclure votre matricule sur tous les documents officiels.
Semestre – Semester
One of the two half-year periods an academic year is divided into, each usually lasting 15 to 18 weeks.
Le premier semestre commence en septembre.
Emploi du temps – Schedule
A plan for carrying out a process or procedure, giving lists of intended events and times.
Mon emploi du temps est très chargé cette année.
Stage – Internship
A period of work experience offered by an organization for a limited period of time, often part of a course of study.
Il fait un stage dans une entreprise de technologie cet été.
Crédits – Credits
Units that a school or college counts toward a degree or diploma.
Combien de crédits ce cours vaut-il?
Diplôme – Degree
An academic rank conferred by a college or university after examination or after completion of a course.
Elle a obtenu son diplôme en sciences politiques.
Résumé – Summary
A brief statement or account of the main points of something.
Pouvez-vous faire un résumé de ce chapitre?
Discussion – Discussion
The action or process of talking about something in order to reach a decision or to exchange ideas.
Après la conférence, il y aura une discussion.
Conclusion – Conclusion
The end or finish of an event, process, or text.
La conclusion de sa présentation était très convaincante.
Compagnon de chambre – Roommate
A person with whom one shares a room, particularly in a college or university residence.
Mon compagnon de chambre et moi nous entendons très bien.
Mastering these French words will enhance your ability to navigate through college life in a Francophone environment, making your educational journey smoother and more engaging.
