MA French and Social Policy
About this course
MA (Hons) in French and Social Policy, a social policy and French and francophone studies degree examining linguistic proficiency, cultural history, and government welfare frameworks. Core topics include Global & Comparative Perspective. The third year involves a compulsory period abroad spent studying at one or two partner institutions, working as a language assistant, or undertaking a professional placement with a private company or charity. The first year introduces foundational themes across French history and society alongside core concepts in social policy analysis. The second year focuses on methodological approaches through modules such as Comparative Social Policy: Global Perspectives, Research Skills for Social Policy, and Evidence, Economy and Social Policy, alongside optional cultural and linguistic studies. The third year is spent abroad on study or work placements. The final fourth year provides advanced study options and independent research.
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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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 65 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 96%
- Left higher education: 4%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
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: 80%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Media Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
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 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 2%
Modules
- resistance and collaboration
- the Fifth Republic
- colonisation and decolonisation
- May 1968
- feminism
- core concepts in the analysis of key government policy areas, comparing and contrasting various lenses through which we can understand social policy
- consequences of different policy decisions by governments on different parts of society
- 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
- Comparative Social Policy: Global Perspectives - This course compares different approaches to social policy in European and non-European countries.
- Research Skills for Social Policy - This course equips you with core research training and provides a forum for subject-specific learning and community-building.
- Evidence, Economy and Social Policy - This course will focus on the economic dimension of social policy, and the (mis)use of underlying evidence.
- 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)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA French and Social Policy 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 £10,500 more than the UK median for Social policy.
What do graduates of MA French and Social Policy at University of Edinburgh do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA French and Social Policy 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 Social Policy at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 176 UCAS points.
Does MA French and Social Policy 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 Social Policy at University of Edinburgh?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.