French and History

French and history is a combination that connects linguistic and cultural immersion in the French-speaking world with the rigorous study of the past across a wide range of periods, places, and themes. French opens access to one of Europe's richest literary and intellectual traditions, to the politics and culture of modern France and the Francophone world, and to the practical linguistic competence that an international language of this reach provides. History develops your capacity for critical analysis of evidence, construction of sustained arguments, and engagement with the complexity of the past as a means of understanding the present.

At Queen's University Belfast this four-year full-time programme reflects the dynamism and cultural diversity of the French-speaking world alongside a broad and chronologically wide-ranging approach to historical study. In French you will develop language skills from whatever level you begin, whether as a beginner or at a more advanced stage, and engage deeply with the culture and society of metropolitan France and the wider Francophone world. All students spend a period of residence in a Francophone country, which is transformative for language acquisition and cultural understanding.

In history you will encounter a wide choice of periods and approaches, from ancient and medieval through to modern history, across a global range of case studies and themes including gender, social and cultural history, colonialism, politics, and religious change.

Graduates pursue careers in education, journalism, publishing, the civil service, diplomacy, heritage, law, and the cultural sector. The combination of French fluency and historical analytical training is valued across a wide range of professional contexts. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in French, history, or related disciplines, or to professional training in law, teaching, or public policy.