Program Overview

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Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and French (5 years), 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: 60 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: 5R8Q

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:
  • French Beginner:
    • Select AT LEAST TWO of the following courses:
      • Modern Irish Language for Beginners 1 (CE1036)
      • Modern Irish Language for Beginners 2 (CE1536)
      • Gaelic for Beginners 1A (GH1007)
      • Gaelic for Beginners 1B (GH1507)
      • Gaelic Scotland (GH1015)
      • Latin 1 (LT1009)
      • Latin 2 (LT1507)
    • Plus:
      • French Culture and Society: From Occupation to Decolonisation (FR1031) AND/OR The Global City (LA1501)
      • Beginners French Language 1 (FR1028) AND/OR Beginners French Language 2 (FR1528)
  • French Qualified:
    • Select AT LEAST TWO of the following courses:
      • Modern Irish Language for Beginners 1 (CE1036)
      • The Celts, their Neighbours and the Classical World (CE1536)
      • Gaelic for Beginners 1A (GH1007)
      • Gaelic for Beginners 1B (GH1507)
      • Gaelic Scotland (GH1015)
      • Latin 1 (LT1009)
      • Latin 2 (LT1507)
    • Plus:
      • French Culture and Society: From Occupation to Decolonisation (FR1031) AND/OR The Global City (LA1501)
      • Qualified French Language 1 (FR1029) AND/OR Qualified French Language 2 (FR1529)

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • French 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:
    • Love, Loss and Revival: Gaelic Ireland, 1700 to the Present (CE2063)
    • Otherworld: Lost Gods and Hidden Monsters of Medieval Scotland (GH 2010)
    • 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)

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic year spent in a French-speaking country

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Junior Honours French Language (FR3089)
• Optional Courses:
  • 60 credit points of level 3 Celtic & Anglo-Saxon courses from the table in the Celtic and Anglo Saxon Studies Annexe
  • Plus further course(s) of Level 3 French to gain 60 credits in the discipline

Year 5

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Senior Honours French Language (FR4089)
• Optional Courses:
  • Choose ONE of the following dissertation courses:
    • Dissertation in French (FR4097)
    • Dissertation in Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies (CE4598)
  • Plus further course(s) of Level 4 Celtic & Anglo-Saxon studies from the table in the Celtic and Anglo Saxon Studies Annexe below to gain 60 credits in the discipline
  • Plus further course(s) of Level 4 French to gain 60 credits in the discipline

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Seminars
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

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

Why Study Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and French?

• A unique programme in Scotland, emphasizing critical thinking and small-group discussion, to gain in-depth knowledge of history, literature and languages, plus transferable skills to boost 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, organizing 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, organizing 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

Careers

Graduates gain essential skills, which include critical thinking, oral and written communication, task management and organized 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
• Media Communications
• Museum Officer
• 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

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

Scholarships and Funding

• UK Scholarship: Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding
• 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

Related Undergraduate Degrees

• MA Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies
• MA Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and French
• MA French and Gaelic Studies