French and International Relations
French and International Relations is a combination degree that connects linguistic and cultural competence with the analytical frameworks needed to understand how the world is organised politically, economically and diplomatically. French is a language of global reach, used across five continents and at the heart of many international institutions, making it particularly well-suited to study alongside a discipline concerned with relations between states, international organisations and global civil society. International Relations, for its part, gives you the tools to analyse power, conflict, cooperation, security, trade and human rights across borders, and to understand the forces that are shaping the contemporary world.
At the University of Aberdeen, this four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad, a feature that is integral to both the language learning and the international perspective the degree develops. You will develop high-level proficiency in French alongside deep knowledge of the theories, institutions and empirical issues that define the study of international relations. The combination places you at the intersection of language, culture and world politics, developing skills in critical analysis, research and communication that are applicable across a wide range of professional contexts.
Graduates from French and International Relations programmes are well-prepared for careers in diplomacy, the foreign service, international organisations, politics, journalism, broadcasting, media, NGOs, international development and local and national government. Law firms with international practices, multinational corporations, cultural institutions and think tanks also value the combination of linguistic competence and analytical sophistication that the degree produces. Postgraduate study in international relations, international law, European studies or French studies is a natural route for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or pursue academic careers.