French Studies with History

French language and French culture have shaped European and world history in ways that make studying them alongside history a naturally complementary pairing. The French language carries centuries of literary, philosophical and political thought, and understanding it opens access to primary sources and intellectual traditions that remain central to how the modern world was made. History, meanwhile, provides the analytical frameworks to understand change over time, the causes of major events, and the forces that have produced the world as it now is.

Studying French Studies with History at the University of London Institute in Paris places you in one of the world's great capitals of culture, politics and intellectual life. You will develop advanced proficiency in French language alongside deep engagement with French literature, cultural history and society, while pursuing historical study that draws on the remarkable archival and institutional resources available in Paris. The programme runs full time over three years and offers an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in a francophone environment while pursuing rigorous academic study.

Living and studying in Paris develops intercultural competence in a way that classroom study alone cannot replicate, and the city's museums, galleries, archives and cultural institutions become an extension of your learning environment.

You will develop the capacity to analyse texts, arguments and historical evidence critically, to write clearly and persuasively in both English and French, and to move between close reading and broader contextual analysis. These are skills that transfer across many professional fields.

Graduates from French Studies with History programmes pursue careers in international organisations, diplomacy, the civil service, journalism, publishing, education and cultural institutions. The combination of language fluency, historical understanding and the experience of sustained study abroad is valued by employers across the private and public sectors. Postgraduate study in French, European history, international relations or translation is also a well-established path.