Program Overview

French and Music (5 years), MA

Introduction

French with Music Studies at Aberdeen adds to your language and cultural skills in a major European language and gives you the opportunity to study, compose and perform alongside world-renowned composers and musicologists, working in all genres, styles and periods. You will have unrivalled opportunities to grow as a musician and performer and to acquire the skills for a wide range of careers related to your language, music, or applied in another sector.

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: R1W3

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)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE of the following options:
    • Beginner:
      • Beginners French Language 1 (FR1028)
      • Beginners French Language 2 (FR1528)
      • MU1026 Digital Musicianship: Music Making in the Digital Age
    • Qualified:
      • Qualified French Language 1 (FR1029)
      • Qualified French Language 2 (FR1529)
      • MU 1025 Introduction to Music Studies
  • Both options must do at least one course from the following:
    • FR 1031 French Culture and Society: From Occupation to Decolonisation
    • LA 1501 The Global City
  • Plus at least one course from the following, subject to the necessary pre-requisites:
    • MU 1027 Performing and Composing 1
    • MU 1527 Performing and Composing 2
    • MU 1528 Writing About Music
  • Plus select further credit points from 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)
  • Both options will select 30 credit points from Music courses at level 2 and 30 credit points from courses of choice.

Year 3

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

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Junior Honours French Language (FR3089)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select 60 further credits of French from level 3, plus 45 credits of level 3 Music courses.

Year 5

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Senior Honours French Language (FR4089)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE of the following dissertation options:
    • Dissertation in French (FR4097)
    • Dissertation in Music (MU4049)
  • Plus select further credits from level 4 courses in French to gain 75 credits in the discipline, and further credits from level 3 or 4 courses in Music to gain 45 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.
• Written examinations at the end of each course.

Why Study French and Music?

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 Music

• Our academic staff are internationally recognised experts in composition, performance, musicology, music education and music and communities, including royal composer Paul Mealor and other rising stars.
• The University has a full Symphony Orchestra, Chamber and Chapel choirs with growing international reputations, Choral and Opera Societies, and consorts and ensembles across all instruments.
• Specialist facilities include state-of-the-art studios for electroacoustic music, as well as a collection of historic instruments including a 1771 Kirkman harpsichord.
• Excellent performance venues and opportunities, with our early sixteenth-century Chapel often used for services and performances of sacred and concert music, with a magnificent Aubertin organ - the first in the UK.
• Opportunities to perform at ceremonies, graduations, recitals, and the annual WayWORD literary festival for talented students in Scottish traditional and classical instruments, and vocalists.
• The prestigious Ogston Music Prize, and a range of scholarships and special support for students with outstanding talent.
• Three state-of-the-art Electroacoustic Composition studios as well as a number of Music Technology workstations.
• Aberdeen city known as a lively centre for music, with links to the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Aberdeen City Music School, North East of Scotland Music School, and the region's growing Sound festival.

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.