MA French and Scandinavian Studies
About this course
MA (Hons) in French and Scandinavian Studies, a French and Francophone Studies and German degree centred on language acquisition, cultural analysis, and literature. Core topics include Global & Comparative Perspective. The four-year degree includes a mandatory year abroad spent studying, working, or volunteering in relevant destinations. The first year introduces foundational themes through courses covering resistance and collaboration, the Fifth Republic, May 1968, feminism, colonisation and decolonisation, and linguistics and language sciences alongside external subjects. Year two expands the scope with Cultural Responses to War, Migration, Exile, Diaspora, Crime and Detection in Literature, and Gender and Culture. During the third year, students undertake a period of study or work abroad across one or two destinations. The final year involves advanced language training through essay, commentary, academic and summary writing in your two languages, translation to and from your languages into English, and spoken French and either Danish, Norwegian or Swedish, complemented by options such as Contemporary Scandinavian Literature: A Transnational Approach and Old Norse Literature and Society.
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 ABB (required: a language other than English at B) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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What students say
Based on about 33 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 80%
- Learning opportunities: 69%
- Assessment and feedback: 70%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 56%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 20 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 30%
- South East: 5%
- Scotland: 45%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- resistance and collaboration
- the Fifth Republic
- May 1968
- feminism
- colonisation and decolonisation
- linguistics and language sciences
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- 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 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)
- essay, commentary, academic and summary writing in your two languages
- translation to and from your languages into English
- spoken French and either Danish, Norwegian or Swedish
- film and literature
- history and politics
- Comparative Literature in a European and Global Perspective
- Literature and Film: The Challenge of Adaptation
- Thinking Translation: a Beginner's Guide
- Recognition Struggles in Contemporary France
- Women Writers in Early Modern France
- Scandinavia and the World: Negotiating the North in the 21st Century
- Contemporary Scandinavian Literature: A Transnational Approach
- Old Norse Literature and Society
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA French and Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £41,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £3,000 less than the UK median for French studies.
What do graduates of MA French and Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA French and Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh?
80% 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 Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 170 UCAS points.
Does MA French and Scandinavian Studies 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 Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.