MA French
About this course
French is one of the world's major languages, spoken on every continent and carrying with it a literary, philosophical, and cultural tradition of extraordinary richness. From the medieval fabliaux and the poetry of Ronsard to the existentialism of Sartre and de Beauvoir, from the Francophone literatures of Africa, the Caribbean, and Quebec to the cinema of Truffaut and Godard, French opens access to a world of creative and intellectual work that repays engagement at every level. It is also the language of a major European partner and a significant presence in international institutions, diplomacy, and trade. At the University of Edinburgh, this four-year, full-time degree gives you access to one of the UK's most distinguished French studies programmes. Edinburgh's French department has deep strengths in literature, cultural history, linguistics, and film, and you will study the language to an advanced level while also engaging critically with the rich body of texts and cultural productions that French has generated. The four-year structure, standard for Scottish undergraduate degrees, allows for real depth of engagement across the programme. A typical entry tariff of 168 UCAS points reflects the academic excellence that Edinburgh expects and provides. Degree-level French develops skills that extend well beyond language competence, though that competence is itself highly valuable. You will learn to read closely and to write with precision and nuance, to situate texts and cultural artefacts in their historical and intellectual contexts, and to bring critical frameworks to bear on questions of meaning, representation, and power. These capacities travel well. Graduates from French degrees work in education, translation and interpreting, journalism, the diplomatic and civil service, international business, publishing, the arts, and the cultural sector. The combination of language proficiency with critical and analytical skills is valued in a wide range of professional settings. Many graduates also proceed to postgraduate study in French, European studies, translation, or comparative literature.
Syllabus & Modules
Typical curriculumStudent Satisfaction
National Student Survey - 20 respondents (70% response rate)
Similarly Ranked Alternatives
What comes next? 🎓
Choosing the right university starts with choosing the right school. Explore transparent, data-driven school profiles powered by official DfE statistics.
Explore Schools on WhatSchool.ai →