Eligibility to study for a PhD in French Studies

• Students may be considered for the doctoral programme if they hold, or are currently studying for, an MA (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• They should normally also have a first (undergraduate) degree in a relevant subject.
• In some instances, students may move straight from their BA degree to doctoral study.
• They should pursue research interests in one of the Department's areas of expertise.
• If in doubt, do contact the Director of Graduate Studies by e-mail to discuss eligibility in advance of applying.
• Students who have not already taken the MA in the Department may be required to audit the Intellectual Contexts module from the taught MA. This will not be formally assessed but will ensure that you have acquired the necessary skills for further research.

Application Forms

• Applications for doctoral study at Warwick must be submitted electronically to the Postgraduate Admissions Office. Follow the links for On-line applications forms (or click hereLink opens in a new window).
• You should include in your application a statement of your research project and a sample of your recent written work (ideally an essay or dissertation chapter from your MA work, or -if you are transferring your MPhil/PhD, a chapter of your current doctoral project).
• Good academic references are also crucial. Without the references your application is incomplete and cannot be given due consideration.
• You can apply at any time of the academic year, although it is sensible to do this as early as possible, particularly if you are seeking sources of funding.

Admissions Criteria

• Applications are evaluated by the Director of Graduate Studies and by at least one other staff member (usually the prospective supervisor and/or the Director of Research).
• Admission is dependent upon:
  • satisfactory academic qualifications (including appropriate proficiency in French);
  • satisfactory academic references;
  • satisfactory English language competence;
  • the identification of a suitable and feasible research project;
  • the agreement to supervise by one or more suitable staff members.
• You will be notified formally by a letter from the Postgraduate Admissions Office.
• Conditions of offer may be attached, such as a pass in an MA course which you are currently taking, or a satisfactory IELTS score (or equivalent), or the completion of a number of weeks pre-sessional English language training.
• If accepted, you will normally be registered initially as an MPhil student. During the course of your studies, you will be formally upgraded to PhD registration after a monitoring procedure (details of which are included in the Department's Graduate Handbook, which students receive upon arrival).
• If accepted for doctoral study, the Admissions service and/or Doctoral College with information about accommodation and (if relevant) about the University's Immigration and Compliance Service. It is sensible to establish informal contact with your prospective supervisor(s) via e-mail or letter well ahead of arrival, and to arrange a date for a first meeting.