French Language and Literature (in Universities) Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

French Language and Literature (in Universities) Studies in The United Kingdom

At UK universities French is studied as a degree in its own right or, more often today, as one language within a Modern Languages degree. Students combine advanced language classes with the literature, history, politics and film of France and the French-speaking world, and most spend a year abroad. Universities also set an English language requirement, so international students need good English as well as French. This directory lists 23 schools in the UK for the subject, three of them in London and two in Edinburgh.

How the degree is organised

A languages degree in England normally takes four years, because the third year is spent abroad. The BA Modern Languages at the University of Bristol and at Royal Holloway, University of London, and the Modern Languages and Cultures BA at The University of Sheffield all last four years. At Royal Holloway students spend the third year studying, working or both, usually for at least nine months in a country where the language is spoken. Sheffield states that all its Modern Languages students spend the third year studying or working abroad. Newcastle University makes the year optional: its Modern Languages BA can be completed in four years with a year abroad or a careers placement, or in three years without.

Students choose how many languages to take. At Bristol the degree can be followed with one, two or three languages, French among them; Newcastle allows one language only if it is French, German or Spanish at post-A-level standard. Sheffield's degree is built around two languages, with an optional third.

In Scotland the honours degree is the four-year MA. At the University of St Andrews the French MA (Honours) lasts four years; in the first two years students take French alongside at least one other subject, and at Honours level they specialise in areas such as politics, culture and society, translation, or literature from the Middle Ages to the present. An additional integrated year abroad in a French-speaking country is optional there.

Other universities in this directory with French include King's College London, The University of Edinburgh, The University of Manchester, The University of Warwick, Cardiff University and the University of Oxford.

Starting level: beginners or advanced

Many departments accept students without previous French. Bristol offers beginners' and post-A-level routes in French, and Royal Holloway has a beginners' and a post-A-level pathway in the first year, after which all students take the same language modules. Sheffield's first-year modules give an idea of the levels: its French Beginner Intensive module works towards CEFR level A2+, and its French Advanced module towards B2. St Andrews is different: applicants must have studied French at SQA Higher, A-level or an equivalent.

Admission and language requirements

Applications go through UCAS, with up to five choices. For 2027 entry the equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time, and 15 October for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. UCAS notes that many universities accept international applications later in the year.

Typical A-level offers are ABB at Bristol, Sheffield and Newcastle, ABB-BBC at Royal Holloway and AAB, including an A in French, at St Andrews. Royal Holloway asks for grade B in the language for its advanced pathway and has no language requirement for the beginners' pathway.

Students whose first language is not English also need an English certificate: IELTS 7.0 overall at Bristol and 6.5 at Royal Holloway for these courses. For the Student visa, degree-level study requires English equivalent to CEFR level B2.

Fees and visa

International fees per year are £26,500 at Bristol (first year, 2027 entry), £25,350 at Newcastle (first year, 2027 entry), £24,600 at Royal Holloway (2027-28) and £34,910 at St Andrews (2027 entry). Home students pay £10,050. The year abroad is charged at a reduced rate; at Royal Holloway international students pay 20% of the fee for that year.

International students normally need a Student visa. According to GOV.UK (checked in October 2026), the application costs £558 from outside the UK plus the healthcare surcharge, and applicants must show £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to nine months.

Careers

A French degree is not tied to one profession. Royal Holloway reports that its modern languages graduates have entered fields such as international management, media and publishing, banking, the Civil Service, teaching, and translating and interpreting, and that others have gone on to advanced study.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study French at a UK university without knowing French?

At some universities, yes. Bristol and Royal Holloway offer a beginners' route in French. St Andrews requires French at SQA Higher, A-level or an equivalent.

How long does a French degree take in the UK?

Usually four years, including a year abroad. At Newcastle the Modern Languages BA can be completed in three years without the year abroad.

Is the year abroad compulsory?

It depends on the university. Sheffield and Royal Holloway include it in the third year; at Newcastle and St Andrews it is optional.