French and History

French and history is a combination that gives you access to two of the richest intellectual traditions in Western civilisation. French is the language of Montaigne and Descartes, of the Enlightenment philosophes and the Romantic poets, of twentieth-century existentialism and poststructuralism. History provides the framework for understanding how French-speaking cultures, and the wider world they have shaped, have developed over time.

Together they develop skills in language, close reading, historical analysis, and critical argument that are among the most transferable in the humanities.

At the University of Edinburgh, this flexible joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to develop advanced language skills in French while discovering how the French-speaking world, and other cultures around the globe, have shaped modern civilisation. You will study French language and literature alongside historical topics that may span medieval to contemporary history, developing the capacity to read primary sources across languages and to situate literary and cultural works in their broader historical contexts. The programme runs over four years full-time.

Graduates of French and history programmes pursue careers in the civil service, diplomacy, teaching, publishing, journalism, European institutions, cultural organisations, heritage management, and international business. The combination of historical depth and French-language fluency is valued in roles concerned with France, Francophone Africa, and European affairs. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in history, French studies, or European history, where the interdisciplinary scope of their undergraduate training gives them flexibility in their research focus.