Program Overview

---

French and Language & Linguistics, MA

Introduction

French and Language & Linguistics at Aberdeen is a great subject combination that adds value to highly-developed language skills and cultural knowledge in a major European language. The programme explores how human language evolved, how we learn languages and how they differ and change over time. You will gain the all-round knowledge and skills to open up an avenue to a wide variety of careers.

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: RQC1

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
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Language Structure and use (LN1507)
• Optional Courses
  • 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 (LA1501)
    • 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 (LA1501)
    • Plus two courses from the following LN courses:
      • Living language (LN1005)
      • Language Myths (LN1006)
      • English Past and Present (LN1008)

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses
  • Language in Society (LN2008)
  • Elements of English (LN2515)
  • Revolution and Revolt in Modern and Contemporary France (FR2016)
  • Decentering France: Social Movements and Cultural Transformation (FR2517)
• Optional Courses
  • Select ONE of the following options:
    • Ex-beginner
      • Advanced Introductory French Language 1 (FR2012)
      • Advanced Introductory French Language 2 (FR2512)
    • Qualified
      • Advanced French Language 1 (FR2002)
      • Advanced French Language 2 (FR2502)
    • Plus further courses of choice to gain 120 credit points.

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses
  • Second half session to be spent in a French Speaking Country - Studying (FR35DT)
  • OR
  • Second half session to be spent in a French Speaking Country - Working
  • Work Experience: Employability Skills Development (FR3597)
  • Junior Honours Project 1 (FR3596)
• Optional Courses
  • Plus select 60 credits from level 3 Language and Linguistics courses to be taken in the first-half session.

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses
  • Senior Honours French Language (FR4089)
• Optional Courses
  • Select ONE of the following dissertation options:
    • Dissertation in French (FR4097)
    • Dissertation in Language and Linguistics (LN4501)
  • Plus select further credits of level 4 Language & Linguistics and level 4 French courses to make up 60 credits in each 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.
• 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 Language & Linguistics?

Why French

• 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.
• 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.
• A packed campus programme of events, exhibitions, invited speakers and the popular WayWord literary festival, which often features work by Francophone writers.
• 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.
• 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.

Why Language and Linguistics

• A vibrant linguistics research and teaching community, and the benefits this study brings to other subjects such as modern languages, anthropology, sociology and history.
• Researchers revealing new insight into how spoken English is changing, including evidence gathered from tracking TV and radio soaps over the years.
• Major research partnerships such as the study of witness testimonies following the 1641 Irish Rebellion, with language revealing the social, economic, cultural and political situation in 17th century Ireland, giving clues on sectarianism today.
• Award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library with top-class study facilities and literary treasures collected over 500 years charting the power of the written word from ancient papyri and medieval manuscripts to contemporary e-books and other media.
• A packed campus programme of events, exhibitions, invited speakers and the annual WayWord literary festival, attracting internationally acclaimed authors, broadcasters and public figures to discuss the written and spoken word in various languages.

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. However, these may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers: AABB
• A LEVELS: BBB
• 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: 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 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
• 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.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.