French and International Relations

French and International Relations at Aberdeen puts you at the forefront of contemporary debate on world events. You will gain highly-developed skills in a modern European language and culture adding value to a broad exploration of our complex international world and the developments which are making history today. You will graduate ideally prepared for a wide range of careers in politics, media, local and national government, NGOs and many other fields.

French & Francophone Studies at Aberdeen has a long-standing reputation for teaching and research. The programme explores the diversity of French and Francophone culture and the complex global influence of France and the French language over the centuries. You will add to your growing language skills with diverse courses in contemporary society and politics, philosophy and history, film and visual culture, advanced translation skills, and literature from the Renaissance to the present day.

In International Relations, you will look closely at how nations and organisations interact, what contributes to global wealth and poverty and persisting inequalities. You will study regional and international tensions, nationalism, concepts of democracy – and ever-present concerns of conflict and peace. You will be taught by internationally renowned academics with strong track records in publishing international papers and articles and who appear regularly in the media, analysing and explaining national, European and world developments from the viewpoint of their own area of expertise and research.

As an integral part of your 4-year programme, you will spend half of year three developing your language skills as a Teaching Assistant or visiting student in a French-speaking country. You will gain the perfect foundation for international career possibilities including international business, NGOs and international development, plus local and national government, politics, and journalism, with transferable skills including critical analysis and communication ideally suited to a range of careers.

We are ranked 4th in the UK for International Relations and 8th in the UK for Politics by the Guardian University Guide 2023.