Program Overview

Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and French, MA

Introduction

Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and French is an excellent subject combination, setting the lives and legacy of the Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Scandinavian peoples within a deeper European historical and contemporary context through study of the French language, history and culture. This subject combination provides an ideal preparation for a career in the arts, broadcasting, or heritage management, and also adds the international dimension to open options including business or tourism.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: 7Q83

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.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Barbarians, Romans, Gods and Warriors (CE1033)
  • Ancient Empires: Religion, Power and Politics (DR152A)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select AT LEAST TWO of the following courses:
    • Modern Irish Language for Beginners 1 (CE1036)
    • Gaelic Scotland (GH1015)
    • Gaelic for Beginners A (GH1007)
    • Latin 1 (LT1009)
    • Modern Irish for Beginners 2 (CE1536)
    • Latin 2 (LT1507)
    • Gaelic for Beginners 1B (GH1507)
  • Select ONE of the following options:
    • Beginner:
      • Beginners French Language 1 (FR1028)
      • Beginners French Language 2 (FR1528)
      • French Culture and Society: From Occupation to Decolonisation (FR1031) AND/OR The Global City (LA1507)
    • Qualified:
      • Qualified French Language 1 (FR1029)
      • Qualified French Language 2 (FR1529)
      • French Culture and Society: From Occupation to Decolonisation (FR1031) AND/OR The Global City (LA1507)
  • Plus select further credit points from courses of choice to reach 120 credit points.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Choose one of the following:
    • Ex-Beginner:
      • Advanced Introductory French Language 1 (FR2012)
      • Advanced Introductory French Language 2 (FR2512)
      • Revolution and Revolt in Modern and Contemporary France (FR2016)
      • Decentering France: Social Movements and Cultural Transformation (FR2517)
    • French Qualified:
      • Advanced French Language 1 (FR2002)
      • Advanced French Language 2 (FR2502)
      • Revolution and Revolt in Modern and Contemporary France (FR2016)
      • Decentering France: Social Movements and Cultural Transformation (FR2517)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select AT LEAST TWO of the following courses:
    • Ex-beginner:
      • Love, Loss and Revival: Gaelic Ireland, 1700 to the Present (CE2063)
      • Otherworld: Lost Gods and Hidden Monsters of Medieval Scotland (GH2010)
      • The Celts, their Neighbours and the Classical World (CE2536)
      • Ancient Empires: Religion, Power and Politics (DR250A)
      • Scottish Folklore and Oral Traditions (EF2501)
      • Triumph and Tragedy: A Literary and Historic Tour of Gaelic Scotland (GH2515)
      • Vikings: An Introduction (HI2526)
    • French Qualified:
      • Arthur in Medieval Celtic and Scandinavian Literature (CE2034)
      • Otherworld: Lost Gods and Hidden Monsters of Medieval Scotland (GH2010)
      • The Celts, their Neighbours and the Classical World (CE2536)
      • Ancient Empires: Religion, Power and Politics (DR250A)
      • Scottish Folklore and Oral Traditions (EF2501)
      • Triumph and Tragedy: A Literary and Historic Tour of Gaelic Scotland (GH2515)
      • Vikings: An Introduction (HI2526)
  • For both options, select further courses of choice to make up to 120 credit points.

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Second half-session to be spent in a French speaking country
  • Either FR35ST (Studying)****OR Work Experience: Employability Skills Development (FR3597)
  • AND Junior Honours Project 1 (FR3596)
• Optional Courses:
  • 60 credit points of level 3 Celtic & Anglo-Saxon courses from the table in the Celtic and Anglo Saxon Studies Annexe to be taken in the Term 1.

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • EITHER Dissertation in French (FR4097)OR Dissertation in Celtic & Anglo - Saxon Studies (CE4598)
• Optional Courses:
  • Plus 60 credits of level 4 Celtic & Anglo-Saxon courses from the table in the Celtic and Anglo Saxon Studies Annexe
  • Plus further credits from level 4 French to gain 60 credits in the discipline.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
• Written examinations at the end of each course.

Why Study Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and French?

• A unique programme in Scotland, emphasising critical thinking and small-group discussion, to gain in-depth knowledge of history, literature and languages, plus transferable skills to boost your employability.
• All teaching is on the beautiful, late-mediaeval King’s College campus and the surrounding countryside is rich in archaeological and historic remains of Scotland’s Celtic and Nordic past.
• Academic staff are leading international researchers who have published widely on Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Scandinavian literature and history, revealing new discoveries and debunking popular myths.
• A vibrant Celtic Society, one of the oldest, most famous and liveliest student societies in the University, organising social and cultural events, including Welsh and Irish-themed evenings and traditional music sessions.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library with brilliant study facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and rich, extensive collections and resources, including a first-class collection of French books and films for your course.
• A packed campus programme of lectures, café events, exhibitions and the annual May Festival attracting internationally acclaimed public figures, historians, authors and broadcasters to debate hot topics, with an increasingly European flavour and a popular Viking tea-party!
• International recognition as a centre for study and research in French, with research covering not only France, but also French-speaking Africa and the Caribbean.
• A vibrant international community on campus and across Aberdeen and north-east Scotland, with many French and French-speaking students, staff and activities on campus and across the region.
• A dynamic French Society, organising social and topical events throughout the year, and a brilliant way to get to know other students studying or speaking French.
• Your year abroad as a language assistant or visiting student at locations including Lyon, Rennes, Grenoble, Réunion, Brussels, Geneva, Lausanne and the Club des Langues in Anglet.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers:
  • Standard: AABB
  • Minimum: BBB
  • Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS:
  • Standard: BBB
  • Minimum: BBC
  • Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and Funding

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
• EU / International students: £20,800
• Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme
• Home Students: £1,820

Careers

Graduates gain essential skills, which include critical thinking, oral and written communication, task management and organised and disciplined working practices. These skills are among the Graduate Attributes which students are encouraged to develop during their time at the University, and are crucial in a wide range of professional careers. Our graduates work in a wide variety of areas in the arts and elsewhere, including heritage management, teaching, research, librarianship, enterprise and broadcasting.

Career Opportunities

• Junior Lecturer
• Researcher
• Teacher

Our Experts

Our courses in Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and French are taught by experts in their field. Your teachers will include, among others:

• Dr Aideen O'Leary