French and Modern History

French and Modern History is a combination that deepens understanding of both disciplines in ways that neither could achieve alone. French gives you access to one of the world's great literary and intellectual traditions and to a language spoken by hundreds of millions of people across Europe, Africa, and the wider Francophone world. Modern History, taken alongside it, allows you to situate your study of French and Francophone culture within a rigorous historical framework, examining how France and the Francophone world developed through the modern period, from the Enlightenment and the Revolution through colonialism, two world wars, decolonisation, and the European project.

At the University of St Andrews, this four-year MA (Hons) programme includes a year abroad, during which you will spend extended time in a French-speaking country, building linguistic fluency and cultural understanding that classroom study cannot replicate. You will develop your French language skills to a high level of proficiency through language classes and the study of French and Francophone literature, culture, and intellectual history, while your historical studies range across the major events, ideas, and transformations of the modern era. The combination produces a graduate with exceptional linguistic ability, deep cultural knowledge, and strong historical analytical skills.

These capabilities translate into a wide range of careers. Graduates move into diplomacy and international relations, journalism and broadcasting, publishing, the foreign service, translation and interpreting, cultural institutions, teaching, the civil service, and international business. The year abroad and the linguistic proficiency it produces are significant assets in any role requiring engagement with French-speaking countries or organisations.

Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in history, French studies, European politics, or international affairs.