French and Francophone Studies

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French is a major world language, spoken in many parts of Europe, Africa and the Americas. 

It has been taught at the University of Edinburgh since 1894.

Today, French and Francophone Studies is one of the largest subject areas in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures.

We teach, supervise and undertake research spanning a range of French and Francophone topics from the Middle Ages to the present day.

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Learn the French language while gaining the broad cultural education valued by graduate employers.

On our programmes, you will explore the contribution of French speakers to world culture through Francophone literature and cinema, political history, social movements and philosophical ideas.

Choose from a range of four-year MA (Master of Arts) honours degrees.

Single and joint honours combinations are available, all with the opportunity to study abroad. 

Take an MSc by Research or PhD in the language, literatures and cultures of France and the many countries around the world in which French is spoken.

You can also explore French in taught masters programmes such as:

  • Translation Studies MSc
  • Comparative Literature MSc
  • Intermediality MSc
  • Film Studies MSc
Graphic with the text #3 in the UK, World Top 10

QS World Rankings by Subject 2023

The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK for Modern Languages.

We are also 3rd in the UK in the broad subject area of Arts & Humanities.

Globally, we’re in the World Top 10 for Modern Languages (7) and Arts & Humanities (10).

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings are based on research citations and the results of major global surveys of employers and academics.

They are International Ranking Expert Group (IREG) approved.

Browse the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 on Top Universities

Photo of panellists talking at an event with a graphic saying 3rd in the UK

The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK for research in Modern Languages.

As reported in Times Higher Education, the rankings are based on the quality and breadth of our research in Modern Languages.

They come from the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) – the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

Explore research in French and Francophone Studies

Read more about LLC's performance in REF 2021