Program Overview

---

Art History and French, MA

Overview

French and Art History at Aberdeen offers a thorough grounding in a modern European language and culture with a fascinating in-depth study of buildings, sculptures, drawings, paintings, prints, decorative and industrial arts from all periods. You will study at Scotland’s top-rated university for the impact of research in history of art. You will gain great specialist and transferable skills to add to your language and open up a range of exciting career options.

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: VR31

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)
• Optional Courses:
  • French Culture and Society: from Occupation to Decolonisation (FR1031)
  • Beginners French Language 1 (FR1028)
  • Introduction to Art History (AH1005)
  • Encountering Art: Museums Through History (AH1002)
  • Qualified French Language 1 (FR1029)
  • The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
  • Beginners French Language 2 (FR1528)
  • Introduction to Modern and Contemporary Art (AH1503)
  • Fashion: History and Theory (AH1504)
  • Qualified French Language 2 (FR1529)

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Advanced Introductory French Language 1 (FR2012)
  • Advanced Introductory French Language 2 (FR2512)
  • Advanced French Language 1 (FR2002)
  • Advanced French Language 2 (FR2502)
• Optional Courses:
  • Revolution and Revolt in Modern and Contemporary France (FR2016)
  • What is Art? (AH2001)
  • Decentering France: Social Movements and Cultural Transformation (FR2517)
  • Art Matters: Materials and Techniques (AH2503)

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Junior Honours French Language (FR3089)
• Optional Courses:
  • Surrealism and Its Legacies in Contemporary Art (AH3012)
  • Architecture and Power (AH3014)
  • Work Experience: Employability Skills Development (FR3597)
  • Junior Honours Project 1 (FR3596)

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Senior Honours French Language (FR4089)
• Optional Courses:
  • Dissertation in French (FR4097)
  • History of Art Dissertation (AH4518)
  • Art and the City (AH4011)
  • Surrealism and Its Legacies in Contemporary Art (AH4012)
  • Architecture and Power (AH4014)

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 Art History and French?

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 Art History

• Our impressive on-campus collections of art and cultural artefacts acquired over the past five hundred years
• First-hand engagement with artworks and architecture, with field trips to galleries, museums and heritage collections taking place at every level of study
• A learning experience at our beautiful historic campus in Old Aberdeen
• Teaching partnerships with museum professionals, developing and enhancing vocational skills through work-related learning
• Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland’s distinguished architectural heritage from the Middle Ages onwards, including King’s College Chapel, St Machar’s Cathedral and Dunnottar Castle
• Award-winning Aberdeen Art Gallery, with its impressive collections of French and British art, and one of the best collections of Impressionist painting outside London
• A vibrant urban arts scene featuring cultural events across the year including Nuart, the internationally renowned street art festival, and Spectra, Scotland’s Festival of Light
• A packed campus programme of student and public events, departmental research seminars and exhibitions

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.