French

French is one of the world's great languages: a living literary tradition, a working language of diplomacy and international institutions, and the first language of over 75 million people across five continents. Studying French at degree level means engaging deeply with the language itself and with the history, culture, literature and ideas of the French-speaking world, from medieval France to contemporary Francophone Africa, the Caribbean and beyond.

At the University of Glasgow, this five-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year and a work placement, allowing you to apply your linguistic and cultural knowledge in a professional context over an extended period. The combination of language study with professional experience is one of the most valuable aspects of a languages degree, developing the fluency, confidence and professional capability that come only from sustained immersion and practical use. You will have the opportunity to focus on a wide range of topics within French studies, from medieval culture and history to contemporary French society, music, travel writing and visual culture, so the programme supports genuine intellectual curiosity as well as language acquisition.

You will develop advanced reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in French, alongside analytical skills in literary and cultural criticism, historical analysis and social and political commentary. Translation, essay writing, oral and audio-visual work are all part of how you develop and demonstrate your learning.

Graduates go on to careers that make direct use of their language skills, in international business, diplomacy, translation and interpreting, international law, journalism, publishing, education and the cultural sector. Many also work in roles where French-language competence is a significant professional advantage even if not the primary focus. Some go on to postgraduate study in French, linguistics, European studies, translation or international relations.