You may earn a Certificate of French Language Proficiency concurrent with fulfilling the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. These certificates are also open to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and who are admissible according to Faculty and University policies. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page for more information about Policies & Procedures.
Students who took their first AP/FR course towards a certificate on or after Fall 2025 are eligible for the following certificates:
Basic Level
To apply for the certificate, students must have successfully completed 12 credits in French studies as follows, with an average grade of B (6.0 GPA):
- AP/FR 0130 6.0 or AP/FR 1003 3.0 or AP/FR 1004 3.0
- AP/FR 1080 6.0 or AP/FR 1081 3.0 or AP/FR 1082 3.0
Independent User (CEFR: B2 level)
To apply for the certificate, students must have successfully completed 18 credits in French studies as follows, with an average grade of B (6.0 GPA):
- AP/FR 0130 6.0 or AP/FR 1003 3.0 or AP/FR 1004 3.0
- AP/FR 1080 6.0 or AP/FR 1081 3.0 and AP/FR 1082 3.0
- AP/FR 2081 3.0
- AP/FR 2082 3.0
Proficient User (CEFR: C1 level)
To apply for the certificate, students must have successfully completed 12 credits in French studies as follows, with an average grade of B (6.0 GPA):
- AP/FR 2081 3.0
- AP/FR 2082 3.0
- AP/FR 3081 3.0 and AP/FR 3082 3.0 or AP/FR 3089 6.0
Note: Students exempted from AP/FR 2081 3.00 and/or AP/FR 2082 3.00 must replace these credits with AP/FR 4090 6.00 or equivalent (with departmental approval).
Students who took their first AP/FR course towards a certificate before Fall 2025 are eligible for the following certificates:
Basic Level
To apply for the certificate, students must have successfully completed 12 credits in French studies as follows, with an average grade of B (6.0 GPA):
- AP/FR 0130 6.0 (formerly known as AP/FR 1030 6.0)
- AP/FR 1080 6.0
Intermediate Level
To apply for the certificate, students must have successfully completed 12 credits in French studies as follows, with an average grade of B (6.0 GPA):
- AP/FR 1080 6.0
- 6 credits chosen from:
- AP/FR 2081 3.0
- AP/FR 2082 3.0
- AP/FR 3081 3.0
- AP/FR 3082 3.0
- AP/FR 3089 6.0
Advanced Level
To apply for the certificate, students must have successfully completed 12 credits in French studies as follows, with an average grade of B (6.0 GPA):
- AP/FR 2081 3.0 and AP/2082 3.0
- 6 credits chosen from:
- AP/FR 3080 6.0
- AP/FR 3081 3.0 and AP/FR 3082 3.0
- AP/FR 3089 6.0
Policies & Procedures
- York University students may earn a Certificate of French Language Proficiency concurrent with the fulfillment of requirements for a bachelor’s degree.
- If students are taking courses towards a certificate while simultaneously enrolled in an undergraduate degree program, the certificate will not be conferred until the degree has been successfully completed.
- York University students currently enrolled in a degree program must complete the Application to graduate with a certificate (PDF) and submit it to the department at least two months before graduation.
- These certificates are not open to students who are pursuing or who already hold a degree in French studies.
- French Language Proficiency certificates are also open to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and who are admissible according to Faculty and University policies.
- Non-York or non-registered students must first apply online for acceptance into the certificate program. Upon completion of the required courses, they must complete and submit the Application to graduate with a certificate (PDF).
- If you have previously taken French courses at York and already received credits towards your overall degree requirement for those courses, they can not be ‘re-used’ or carried over to a ‘new’ certificate.
- All courses MUST be taken in the French Studies Department and a minimum final grade of ‘B’ MUST be achieved in each course to be counted towards a certificate.
- Students can take either a 3 or 6 credit French course on exchange (IB programs.) The course must be approved by the department before departure and follow all LOP procedures Letter of Permission | Registrar's Office | York University.