French and Politics, MA

At Aberdeen, your learning goes far beyond the classroom. This degree is designed to immerse you in real-world experiences where you apply your French and politics knowledge in practical ways — from living and studying in a French-speaking country to working on research projects, internships, and group assignments that mirror the work professionals do in diplomacy, media, and public policy. You’ll be supported at every step with access to the University’s global partnerships, state-of-the-art facilities, and career services that help you build a strong professional profile before graduation.

Here’s how hands-on learning is built into your degree:

• Year Abroad in a French-speaking country: A core part of this program is a full year studying or working abroad, where you’ll live the language daily and explore political issues from an international perspective. This experience develops your fluency, independence, and intercultural awareness — skills that employers highly value.

• Internships and work experience: Through the ABDN Internships scheme, you can gain paid, real-world experience in government offices, NGOs, cultural organisations, or policy research groups. These placements are tailored to your interests and help you stand out in competitive fields.

• Collaborative projects and applied coursework: Many modules include group projects where you’ll analyse real political scenarios, draft policy proposals, or work on translation tasks. This not only builds teamwork and communication skills but also mirrors the kind of collaborative work you’ll do in international organisations and political institutions.

• Access to cutting-edge research and resources: You’ll benefit from the university’s extensive library collections, digital language tools, and online political databases. You’ll also engage with renowned research centres and attend seminars and events that connect you directly with experts and practitioners.

• Global opportunities beyond Europe: While the year abroad is a highlight, you can also choose additional exchanges or short-term research placements through the Go Abroad network, giving you experience in regions like North America, Asia, or Australia.

All of this means that by the time you graduate, you’ll not only speak French with confidence but also know how to apply political knowledge in real-world contexts — whether that’s drafting policy, analysing international issues, or working across cultures.

A degree in French and Politics from Aberdeen opens doors to a truly global career. Graduates leave with the language skills, cultural awareness, and political insight needed to thrive in international roles — from shaping public policy and working with governments to leading communications for global organisations. Typical career paths include becoming a Policy Officer, Diplomatic Attaché or Cultural Officer, Political Analyst or Researcher, or an International Communications Specialist.

And your career journey is fully supported every step of the way:

• Dedicated careers support: Aberdeen’s Careers and Employability Service offers personalised coaching, interview preparation, CV reviews, and exclusive employer networking events. They’ll help you connect with opportunities that match your goals, even long after you graduate.

• Strong employment outcomes: Around 90% of Aberdeen graduates are in work or further study within six months of finishing their degree. Politics graduates earn an average starting salary of £22,000–£29,500, with typical earnings rising to around £28,000 as their careers progress.

• Global links and employer connections: Throughout your studies, you’ll benefit from the university’s ties with government bodies, NGOs, cultural organisations, and international agencies — opening doors to internships, events, and live projects where you can build professional experience while studying.

• Long-term value of your degree: Combining advanced language proficiency with deep political understanding gives you a powerful and flexible skill set valued in diplomacy, public service, international business, media, and beyond.

• Graduate success stories: Aberdeen alumni can be found working in national governments, embassies, international NGOs, policy think tanks, and global media outlets — proving just how versatile and impactful this degree can be.

Further Academic Progression:
Your journey doesn’t have to stop at undergraduate level. Many students continue to postgraduate study in areas like International Relations, Public Policy, European Studies, Translation and Interpreting, or Cultural Studies. If research is your passion, you could progress to a PhD in politics, French studies, or comparative cultural research, supported by Aberdeen’s active research centres and international partnerships.