French Studies (MLitt) 2016 entry
The MLitt in French Studies offers students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of contexts that have shaped literature and culture in the French-speaking lands from the Renaissance to the present day.
Course type
Postgraduate; leading to a Master of Letters (MLitt)
Course duration
One year full time
Entry requirements
A good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in French with a French language proficiency at C1 level on the European Framework or equivalent.
If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
Tuition fees
UK and EU: £6,800
Overseas: £16,250
Application deadline
Application requirements
- CV
- sample of academic written work (2,000 words)
- two original signed academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
- English language requirements certificate
- letter of intent (optional).
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
If you are looking to start this programme in 2017, you can find information about 2017 entry on the 2017 French Studies MLitt page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in our archive.
Course information
Course highlights
- Students receive training in traditional and new research techniques and have the opportunity to broaden their language portfolios.
- Small class sizes of no more than 20 students provide a close-knit postgraduate community and friendly environment.
- Teaching is geared towards encouraging and directing independent research.
Teaching format
The MLitt in French Studies is a one-year taught programme run by the Department of French in the School of Modern Languages. The programme concentrates on the research-led study of major conflicts and continuities in the cultural, literary or intellectual history of French-speaking lands.
The taught portion of the course consists of five compulsory modules involving literary theory, research skills, and French literature and culture. Classes are delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars and fortnightly tutorials, with class sizes ranging from individual one-to-one teaching up to 20 students. Modules are assessed through coursework; there are no final exams for this programme.
You will spend the summer months focusing on researching and writing a final dissertation of no more than 15,000 words.
Further particulars regarding curriculum development.
Modules
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue.
- Literary and Cultural Theory 1: explores a range of literary and cultural theories through which texts of all sorts may be conceptualised, criticised and analysed.
- Literary and Cultural Theory 2: continues on from part 1 by studying a broad chronological and national range of seminal thinkers and theories.
- Research and Professional Skills: introduces students to a range of skills which are essential to advanced researchers and key to many other non-academic workplaces.
- French Literary Revolutions: advanced knowledge of contexts that have shaped literature and culture in the French-speaking lands from the Renaissance to the present day.
- Specialised Research in French Studies: offers students the opportunity to draw on expertise in the Department of French for the exploration of a relevant topic in some depth.
The modules listed ran in the academic year 2015-2016 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2016 entry.
Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
Dissertation
Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on an agreed topic and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of a MLitt.
Conferences and events
The School of Modern Languages hosts an annual seminar programme which promotes integration across the language departments. In addition, the School hosts a number of conferences and events, including guest speakers and workshops for the discussion of ideas and issues in a thought-provoking but relaxed and supportive environment.
Funding
Santander Universities scholarships
The School of Modern Languages is offering two £5,000 scholarships, awarded on the basis academic merit and financial need, to those applying for an MLitt programme in Modern Languages.
Forum for Modern Languages Studies Scholarship
The School of Modern Languages is offering a £7,500 scholarship in an open competition to an applicant who has been admitted to any one of the MLitt programmes offered by the School.
After the MLitt
Research degrees
In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year residential Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in French Studies.
Many of our graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews.
Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% reduction in postgraduate tuition fees for students who have graduated during the last three years and are now starting a postgraduate programme.
AHRC
The Arts and Humanities Research Council offers scholarships which cover fees and stipend at RCUK rates for students applying for research degrees in the Arts and Humanities in Scotland.
Careers
Modern Language postgraduates go on to careers in the academic field or in other areas, for example as cultural advisors, translators, or in the public or civil service.
Recent graduates have secured posts such as:
- university teachers in the UK and Germany
- research assistants
- postgraduate recruitment officer at GCHQ
- professional translator
- adviser to the CBI
- television subtitler.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
Contact
School of Modern Languages
Buchanan Building
Union Street
St Andrews
KY16 9PH
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3670
Email: pgmodlangs@st-andrews.ac.uk
Department of French
School of Modern Languages
University of St Andrews
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3643
Email: frenchhod@st-andrews.ac.uk
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).