French and Social Policy

French and Social Policy is a combination that brings together linguistic and cultural competence with the analytical study of how governments and societies respond to social needs. French is one of the world's major languages, spoken as a first language by over 100 million people and as a second language by many millions more, across francophone Europe, Africa, Canada, and beyond. Social policy is the academic discipline concerned with welfare states, social services, healthcare, housing, education, poverty, and the political and economic decisions that shape how societies address these questions.

At the University of Strathclyde, this four-year full-time programme gives you genuine depth in both. You will develop French to a high level of proficiency through language classes and the study of francophone literature, culture, and society, building the communicative competence to work effectively in French-speaking professional environments. Alongside this, you will study social policy theory, comparative welfare systems, the politics of social reform, and the specific policy challenges of the contemporary world, including ageing populations, inequality, and the future of public services.

The combination is particularly valuable for students interested in comparative social policy, international development, or work in organisations that operate across national contexts, because French gives you direct access to the francophone world and to the French social policy tradition, which is distinctive and influential. You will develop strong analytical, research, and communication skills alongside your language competence.

Graduates move into careers in social policy research, public service management, international development, the voluntary and charitable sector, social work (following further training), journalism, and roles in organisations operating in francophone countries. Some pursue postgraduate study in social policy, international development, or related disciplines.