French and Politics

French and politics is a combination that equips you to engage with European and global affairs through both the analytical frameworks of political science and the linguistic access that French provides. French is spoken by over 275 million people worldwide, is an official language of international organisations including the United Nations and the European Union, and carries a political and intellectual tradition, from Montesquieu and Rousseau through to contemporary French political thought, that has shaped liberal democracy and political philosophy across the world. Studying it alongside politics gives you both the conceptual tools for understanding how power operates and the linguistic means to engage directly with a significant part of the world where those dynamics play out.

At Aberdeen this four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad spent in a French-speaking country, which is central to developing the genuine fluency the combination demands and to giving you direct experience of a different political and cultural environment. You will develop highly-developed skills in French language alongside in-depth engagement with national, European, and global politics. The programme is taught by experts who are actively engaged with contemporary world issues and who bring current events and debates into the classroom.

You will develop the ability to analyse political systems and processes comparatively, to understand the dynamics of European institutions, and to engage with international affairs from a well-grounded theoretical and empirical base.

Graduates of French and politics programmes find strong career foundations in European affairs, diplomacy, international organisations, journalism, public policy, the civil service, NGOs, and roles in businesses operating across French-speaking markets. The year abroad experience and linguistic competency add practical value in any field requiring direct engagement with French-speaking counterparts. Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in European politics, international relations, French studies, or related fields, or enter professional programmes in law, policy, or international development.