First course study with French department (8)
I believe the answer is:
consomme
'first course' is the definition.
'consomme' can be an answer for 'course' (I've seen this before). I'm not sure about the 'first' bit.
'study with french department' is the wordplay.
'study' becomes 'con' (conning is a kind of studying).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'french department' becomes 'somme' (administrative region or department of France).
'con'+'somme'='CONSOMME'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for consomme that I've seen before include "Clear initial course" , "liquid course" , "stock product" , "Clear soup usually of beef, veal or chicken" , "starter course" .)