Program Overview

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French and Geography, MA

Introduction

Adding a European language to your Geography degree will open up a much broader range of career opportunities. It also lets you examine Geography in a French context as you will spend a period of time studying at a University in the country.

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: LR71

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.

Geography is the study of the Earth's surface, with particular emphasis on the relationships between people and their environment. Few other subjects cover such a diversity of phenomena, combining elements of the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities.

You will add to your growing language skills with diverse courses in contemporary society and politics, philosophy and history, sustainable development, 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)
• Optional Courses:
  • BEGINNER:
    • French Culture and Society: From Occupation to Decolonisation (FR1031)
    • Beginners French Language 1 (FR1028)
    • Creating the Anthropocene (GG1010)
    • AND/OR:
      • The Global City (LA1501)
      • Beginners French Language 2 (FR1528)
      • The UN Sustainable Development Goals: Transforming Our World (GG1512)
  • QUALIFIED:
    • French Culture and Society: From Occupation to Decolonisation (FR1031)
    • Qualified French Language 1 (FR1029)
    • Creating the Anthropocene (GG1010)
    • AND/OR:
      • The Global City (LA1501)
      • Qualified French Language 2 (FR1529)
      • The UN Sustainable Development Goals: Transforming Our World (GG1512)

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Advanced Introductory French Language 1 (FR2012)
  • Advanced Introductory French Language 2 (FR2512)
  • Revolution and Revolt in Modern and Contemporary France (FR2016)
  • Space, Economy and Society (GG2014)
  • Decentering France: Social Movements and Cultural Transformation (FR2517)
  • Skills and Techniques in Geosciences (GG2508)
  • Advanced French Language 1 (FR2002)
  • Advanced French Language 2 (FR2502)
• Optional Courses:
  • EX-BEGINNER and
  • Plus two courses from the following:
    • Physical Environments (GG2013)
    • Environment & Society (GG2509)
    • Mapping & Monitoring the Environment (GG2510)

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic session spent in French-speaking country.

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Junior Honours French Language (FR3089)
  • Approaches to Geography (GG3071)
  • Research Design (GG3574)
• Optional Courses:
  • Plus further credits from level 3 courses in French to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline.
  • Plus a further 30 credit points from level 3 or 4 courses in Geography.

Year 5

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Senior Honours French Language (FR4089)
• Optional Courses:
  • PLUS EITHER:
    • Dissertation in French (FR4097)
    • Geographical Issues (GG4537)
  • OR:
    • Geography Dissertation (GG4023)
  • Plus further credit points from level 4 course(s) in French to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline.
  • Plus further credit points from level 3 or 4 course(s) in Geography to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

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

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study French and Geography?

Why French

• Join 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
• Get involved with our 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
• Access the spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, with stunning study facilities, state-of-the-art learning technology, and a first-class collection of French books and films for your course
• Enjoy a packed campus programme of events, exhibitions, invited speakers and the popular WayWord literary festival, which often features work by Francophone writers
• Spend your year abroad as a language assistant or visiting student at locations including Lyon, Rennes, Grenoble, Réunion, Brussels, Geneva, Lausanne, the IFP (Institute of French Petroleum) School in Paris and the Club des Langues in Anglet
• The University is internationally recognised as a centre for study and research in French, with research covering not only France, but also French-speaking Africa and the Caribbean

Why Geography

• Our Royal Geographical Society accredited degree in Geography includes extensive fieldwork options and is designed to provide you with key skills and knowledge – such as data analysis and GIS – often required by employers
• Our degree programmes focus upon key current environmental, economic, societal, and technological challenges including climate change, sustainable development, social inequalities, and environmental protection. Courses draw on our research in sustainability transitions, the use of digital technologies, conservation, land management, urban development, rural change, water management, climate change, glaciology, remote sensing, and past environmental change
• Human Geography at Aberdeen is ranked 1st in the UK for student satisfaction in the 2024 National Student Survey with an overall satisfaction score of 100%
• Study Geography from a social science/humanities perspective, a physical science perspective, or both. The region surrounding the University includes spectacular mountain and coastal areas, a vibrant city, and rural communities, providing perfect sites for field study
• Build your network, enhance your employability, and develop relationships with like-minded students through the engaging and very active Geography Society

Careers

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

Our Experts

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors.

Features

Geography Field Trips

The Geography degree takes students on a range of local, national and international field trips.

Sir Duncan Rice Library

The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.

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

To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

• 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

You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.

• 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. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.

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.