French/Politics
French and politics is a degree that combines two disciplines with deep relevance to how the contemporary world is governed and how its different cultures and societies relate to one another. French as a university subject extends far beyond language learning: it encompasses literature, history, cultural theory, and the full diversity of the Francophone world across Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. Politics provides the analytical tools to understand power, institutions, governance, and the forces that drive political change at national and international levels.
At the University of Glasgow you will study across five years on a full-time programme, including a sandwich year with work placement. The French strand gives you the opportunity to focus on a wide range of topics, from French comics, song, and travel writing to medieval France and contemporary French history, allowing you to follow your intellectual interests as they develop. Language study progresses to a high level, supported by the sustained immersion in Francophone culture that the degree provides.
The politics strand develops your understanding of political theory, comparative politics, electoral systems, international relations, and Scottish and British political institutions, giving you a broad and rigorous grounding in the discipline. The combination is particularly powerful for students interested in European politics, Francophone Africa, or international organisations in which French is a working language.
Graduates of French and politics enter careers in diplomacy, the foreign service, European institutions, international organisations, journalism, and public affairs, where the combination of political understanding and French language competence is a genuine competitive advantage. The civil service, political parties, think tanks, and NGOs are further common employers. Many graduates also move into law, publishing, education, and cultural organisations.
Postgraduate study in politics, international relations, French studies, or law is a natural next step for those who wish to deepen their expertise or pursue research and academic careers.