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MPhil/PhD in French Studies (2023 Entry)

four students discussing MPhil/PhD in French Studies

Find out more about this French Studies research MPhil/PhD degree.

The University of Warwick's Modern Languages and Cultures department offers an MPhil/PhD in French Studies with guidance from internationally-leading experts. The department promotes an interdisciplinary approach to the French language and francophone culture.


Course overview

Research and write an 80,000-word thesis on a topic of your choice under the supervision of one or more of our internationally leading experts. Suitable for students with an excellent academic record who already have considerable research skills and a clear idea of their own area of interest for further research.

Before you arrive, you will be matched to one or more of our expert supervisors. During the course, you will meet with them frequently for guidance on the conceptualisation, research and writing of your Dissertation. This will include reading and discussion of draft material, and advice on appropriate skills and career development opportunities.

You will also be expected to participate in the research culture of the School, for example by attending research seminars, and will receive advice on appropriate skills and career development opportunities.

If you intend to apply for competitive funding, early enquiries are advised pglanguages at warwick dot ac dot uk.


General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and preferably a Master’s in a related subject.


English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

  • Band B
  • IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.


Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course. You may be invited to submit a sample of written work and may be invited to an interview.

Our research

  • Renaissance and Early Modern studies
  • 18th and 19th century studies
  • Twentieth- and twenty-first- century literature
  • Philosophy, history and theory
  • Contemporary French and francophone literature, film, and thought
  • French politics, cultural politics, political thought, and history
  • Linguistics, multilingualism and history of the language
  • Queer theory
  • Holocaust studies
  • Post-colonialism
  • Critical theory
  • Comparative literature, translation and transcultural studies

Full details of our research interestsLink opens in a new window are listed on the School of Modern Languages and Cultures website.

You can also read our general University research proposal guidance.

Find a supervisor

Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.

Explore our School of Modern Languages and Cultures Research Directory where you will be able to filter by your chronological, geographical, linguistic and disciplinary interests.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Taught course fees  Research course fees


Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Department content block about careers

Modern Languages and Cultures at Warwick

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures is a close-knit community with an excellent reputation for innovative teaching and world-leading research. The School comprises five major sections – French, German, Italian, Hispanic Studies (all broadly conceived) and Translation and Transcultural Studies – and a Language Centre offering linguistic training in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Get to know us a bit better by exploring our department websiteLink opens in a new window


Our Postgraduate Taught courses


Our Postgraduate Research courses

Taught course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

Research course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

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Admissions statement

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