The University of Edinburgh - Introduction to Postgraduate Study
17 Dec 2025, 13:00
Edinburgh
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Course summary
French is a major world language, spoken in many parts of Europe, Africa and the Americas. Together with the art and culture of the French-speaking (francophone) world, France's philosophical ideas have played a central part in shaping our modern civilisation.
Studying French and Philosophy, which has been at the core of Western intellectual life for at least 2,500 years, helps us understand the contemporary world, as well as shedding light on the past.
French
Over the course of our four-year programme, you will have the opportunity to acquire near-native fluency in French. You will also gain a broad cultural education and international perspective, something valued by employers worldwide.
We will introduce you to the extraordinary richness and variety of the francophone world through the study of:
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literature and cinema
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political history and social movements
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philosophical ideas
Our courses cover material from the Middle Ages to the 21st century and include specialist options taught by leading experts in key disciplines, including post-colonial studies and gender studies.
Philosophy
Studying philosophy allows you to think about some of the great philosophical questions in a clear, disciplined and systematic manner. Philosophy:
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introduces you to the thinking of some of the great philosophers of the past and present
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illuminates the connections between diverse areas of human experience
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makes you more aware of the assumptions that form the basis of your beliefs
Why Edinburgh?
As a world-leading historic, festival and capital city, Edinburgh is the ideal place to study a modern language in its cultural context.
Philosophy has been taught at the University since its foundation in 1583 and French since 1894, making it one of the first European languages to be offered at Edinburgh.
Studying over four years enables you to choose courses, including from other disciplines, that match your own interests, expertise and employability needs. You can, for example, opt to take pre-honours classes in politics or economics as part of your programme.
We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
- EU has vacancies
- Wales does not have vacancies
- England does not have vacancies
- International has vacancies
- Scotland does not have vacancies
- Northern Ireland does not have vacancies
- Republic of Ireland does not have vacancies
Apply by
29 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- RV15
- Institution code:
- E56
- Campus name:
- Central area campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAA
Required subjects: A Levels: a language other than English at B. GCSEs: French at B or 6 and English at C or 4.
Scottish Higher - AABB
AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: a language other than English at B. National 5s: French at B and English at C.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 37 - 34 points
37 points with 666 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: a language other than English at 5. SL: French at 5 (if not at HL) and English at 5.
For degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.
Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply.
You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
-
A level - ABB
Required subjects: A Levels: a language other than English at B. GCSEs: French at B or 6 and English at C or 4.
Scottish Higher - ABBB
ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: a language other than English at B. National 5s: French at B and English at C.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: a language other than English at 5. SL: French at 5 and English at 5.
Find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 92 | Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with distinctions in all four components. | |
| PTE Academic | 65 | Total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online. |
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies. For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher: SQA National 5 at C; SQA Standard Grade at 3; SQA Intermediate 1 at A; SQA Intermediate 2 at C; GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate Grade C or IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.
Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website: https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
- Data from:
- This course and 10 other French studies courses
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- A*A*A*
- Highest grades
- AAB
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.
How do you compare?
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| EU | £28000 | Year 1 |
| International | £28000 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.
EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.
Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Email:futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Phone:0131 650 4360
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