Program Overview

French and Legal Studies, MA

Introduction

French and Legal Studies at Aberdeen is a great subject combination, adding to your solid grounding in a major modern European language and culture. The programme takes a closer look at the law, including European law and how it affects our lives today. You will study issues both topical and controversial and will graduate with the language and legal skills to open up career options including in European affairs and business.

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: MRX1

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Legal System (LS1025)
  • Foundations of Private Law (LS1022)
• 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 select 30 credit points from the Legal Studies courses listed below:
    • Criminal Law (LS1020) 15
    • Contract (LS1520)
    • A World Full of Law: Legal Cultures Before the Age of Exploration (LS1030)
    • Foundations of Common Law with English Criminal Law (LS1533)
    • Delict & Unjustified Enrichment (LS1536)
    • UK Constitutional Law (LS1537)
  • Plus further credit points from non-LS courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • 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 60 credits from the following courses:
    • Criminal Law (LS1020)
    • Contract (LS1520)
    • A World Full of Law: Legal Cultures Before the Age of Exploration (LS1030)
    • Foundations of Common Law with English Criminal Law (LS1533)
    • Delict & Unjustified Enrichment (LS1536)
    • UK Constitutional Law (LS1537)
    • EU Institutions and Law (LS2026)
    • Commercial Organisations and Insolvency (LS2525)
    • The Law of Property (LS2031)
    • Family Law (LS2526)
    • Introduction to Legal Theory (LS2527)
    • Succession and Trusts (LS2528)
    • Public International Law (LS2032)
    • Private International Law (LS2532)
    • Business Law (LS2533)
    • Administrative Law and Civil Liberties (LS2033)
    • Introduction to Comparative Law (LS2536)
    • Tort in a Comparative Context (LS2537)

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Junior Honours French Language (FR3089)
• Optional Courses:
  • EITHER
    • Term 2 to be spent in a French Speaking Country - Studying (FR35ST)
  • OR Term 2 to be spent in a French Speaking Country - Working
    • Work Experience: Employability Skills Development (FR3597) AND Junior Honours Project 1 (FR3596)
  • Plus 60 credit points from Legal Studies LX Honours courses (to be taken in the Term 1).

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Senior Honours French Language (FR4089)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE of the following dissertation options:
    • Dissertation in French (FR4097)
    • Dissertation (Legal Studies) (LX4025)
  • Plus select further credits of level 4 Legal Studies LX Honours (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

• 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 French and Legal Studies?

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.

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.

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

• 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.