French and German

French and German is one of the most powerful combinations in the modern languages curriculum, giving you access to two of Europe's most widely spoken, economically significant, and culturally rich languages. France and Germany together account for a very large proportion of the European Union's economic output and political influence, and their languages open direct access to literary and intellectual traditions that have shaped modern thought, from Montaigne and Voltaire to Goethe and Kafka, from the Enlightenment to twentieth-century critical theory. Bilingualism in both languages is a rare and genuinely distinctive credential in the graduate market.

At Queen Mary University of London, you will study French and German over four years, full time, developing genuine advanced competence in both languages alongside deep engagement with the literatures, histories, and cultures they carry. You will build your linguistic skills through structured language learning, conversation classes, and extended work with literary and cultural texts in the original, reaching a level of reading and spoken fluency that enables you to engage with academic, professional, and cultural life in both languages. The literature, history, and cultural studies components of the degree examine major writers and cultural movements in France and Germany across different historical periods, and engage with the political and social contexts that shaped them.

Queen Mary's location in London adds access to French and German cultural institutions, businesses, and communities that enrich your engagement with both languages.

Graduates with French and German pursue careers in European institutions, international business, finance, journalism, translation and interpreting, publishing, law, education, and diplomacy. The combination is particularly valued by employers with operations or partnerships in France and Germany. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in French, German, comparative literature, European studies, or translation, and the degree provides an excellent foundation for academic research in either language.