French and Politics
French and politics is a degree that combines linguistic and cultural expertise with the analytical tools of political science, and the combination is particularly apt given France's centrality to European and global politics. France has been a laboratory for political ideas since the Enlightenment, and its institutions, its republican tradition, its relationship to its colonial past, and its role in the European Union make it one of the most intellectually interesting case studies in comparative politics. At the same time, French is a global language, the official language of dozens of countries and of major international organisations, and political science is a discipline whose methods and theories reach far beyond any single national case.
At the University of Edinburgh, this four-year, full-time programme follows the Scottish honours structure. You will develop advanced language proficiency in French alongside a rigorous grounding in political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and empirical research methods. The programme allows you to bring genuine linguistic access to French-language political texts, sources, and debates, while using political science frameworks to analyse and contextualise what you encounter.
Edinburgh's strong departments in both politics and languages ensure that both halves of the programme are taught to a high standard.
The four-year Scottish structure gives you the benefit of a broader first year before increasing specialisation, and Edinburgh's city provides outstanding cultural and political context for a degree in this combination.
Graduates work in diplomacy, the foreign service, government, international organisations, journalism, NGOs, business, and public policy. French proficiency alongside political analytical skills is particularly valued in European institutions, the United Nations system, and development organisations. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in politics, international relations, European studies, or area studies.