MA French and Politics
About this course
MA (Hons) in French and Politics, a politics and international relations and french and francophone studies degree examining the intersection of modern languages and political systems. The programme spans four years and includes a mandatory academic year spent abroad studying or working in one or two destinations. The first year covers foundational modules such as resistance and collaboration, the Fifth Republic, Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates, and Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory). The second year progresses with specialised options including Cultural Responses to War, Migration, Exile, Diaspora, Crime and Detection in Literature, and Gender and Culture. During the third year, students undertake a full academic year abroad by choosing to study at a single institution, split time across two different institutions, work or volunteer with a private company or charity, or apply to an established placement scheme such as the British Council’s English Language Assistants programme.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from AAA to AAB (required: a language other than English at B) IB: from 36 points with 665 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 48%: 27 offers from 56 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 53 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 72%
- Assessment and feedback: 72%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 58 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 62%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 8%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 16%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 14%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 11%
- Sales occupations: 8%
- Elementary occupations: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 75 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 44%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 20%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Modules
- resistance and collaboration
- the Fifth Republic
- colonisation and decolonisation
- May 1968
- feminism
- Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
- Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension
- Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory)
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- linguistics and language sciences
- philosophy, divinity and law
- Cultural Responses to War
- Migration, Exile, Diaspora
- Crime and Detection in Literature
- Gender and Culture
- The Coming-of-Age Narrative
- Introduction to European Cinema
- Dynamics of Language and Power
- Languages Beyond University
- study the Politics and Institutions of Contemporary France
- learn the fundamentals of the Basque language
- take a course on Basque culture and society, which includes the study of the region's relationships with neighbouring France and Spain
- study in one or two destinations
- work in one or two destinations
- study in one destination and work in another
- two semesters at a single institution
- one semester at two different institutions (in different destinations)
- arrange to work or volunteer with a private company or charity
- apply to an established placement scheme, such as the British Council’s English Language Assistants programme
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA French and Politics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £38,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £49,500. The £38,000 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of MA French and Politics at University of Edinburgh do next?
83% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA French and Politics at University of Edinburgh?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA French and Politics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 192 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA French and Politics at University of Edinburgh?
48% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 27 offers from 56 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA French and Politics at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on MA French and Politics at University of Edinburgh?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.