Are you keen to specialise in the academic study of your chosen language and culture, and do you have the motivation to develop an individual research path, leading potentially to PhD study? This course combines taught modules with language-specific research and offers an advanced preparation for doctoral research. You’ll work with the support of leading researchers, drawing on expertise in critical theory, research skills and key research themes. You’ll benefit from an introduction to critical theories and perspectives across the European and North American intellectual traditions, as well as develop your own research specialism in French Studies.

Core Modules

• Critical Theory in Modern Languages
• Advanced Study Option
• Research Skills in Modern Languages
• Dissertation

Optional Modules

Previously, a selection of the following options have been offered:

• Conflict, Coercion and Violence in Modern French Politics
• Reason and Revolution
• France and its Others
• The Problem of Community
• Books, Subversion and the Republic of Letters
• Trans/national Cultures
• Multilingualism

Teaching

Researchers across the four languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish) collaborate to teach the core critical modules, and we encourage interdisciplinary teaching or supervision within and outside Modern Languages through optional taught modules, Advanced Study Options, and your dissertation. Advanced Study Options enable you to pursue individual research pathways with the guidance of a tutor or tutors before undertaking your dissertation.

Contact Hours

The course will involve 35 hours of work per week, typically comprising 2 hours of seminar teaching, 2 hours of one-to-one tutorial teaching (or 2 further hours of seminar teaching, depending on the optional modules chosen), up to 1 hour of tutoring and 30 hours of independent study over Terms 1 and 2; in Term 3, which is focused on the Dissertation, you will typically have a weekly average of one hour of one-to-one supervision and 34 hours of independent study.

Class Sizes

Seminar teaching is typically in groups of between 1 and 10 students, though groups may be larger in Research Skills, a module shared with other MA programmes within the School. Individual supervision is provided for the dissertation.

Assessment

1. A taught core module on cultural and critical theory, typically taken in the first term, and assessed by a 5,000 word essay.

2. Two optional modules or supervised study programmes (Advanced Study Options), topic dependent on the interests of the candidate, each assessed by a 5,000 word essay.

3. A 20,000 word dissertation.

4. A skills programme (assessed by two short bibliographical exercises), which typically includes:

• Library induction/electronic resources in French Studies and general research skills
• Giving oral presentations and using PowerPoint; writing a literature review; choosing a topic and writing a dissertation
• Writing a PhD proposal
• Applying for funding

Skills from this degree

• Advanced research and information synthesis skill
• Advanced report-writing and written communication skills
• Oral communication skills
• IT skills

Minimum requirements 2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject

English language requirements 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 Students
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information please visit the international entry requirements page.

For up-to-date information concerning fees, funding and scholarships for Home, EU and Overseas students please visit Warwick's Fees and Funding webpage.

Additional Course Costs

There may be additional costs associated with studying this programme, such as the cost of printing and binding your Dissertation. You should consider these costs when deciding whether or not to accept your offer.

Graduates from these courses have pursued roles such as: authors, writers and translators; legal professionals and marketing associate professionals.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in the Public Sector
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Completing effective CVs and Application Forms for students from the School of Modern Languages
• Languages Alumni Evening

There are a number of different ways to visit the University of Warwick throughout the year. We host bespoke PG visits, where you can talk directly with your chosen department and explore our campus through a personalised tour. Some departments also host their own events and open days, where you can learn more about your department or course of study. To find out more about all of these opportunities, visit our Postgraduate Visits page. To arrange a visit directly with the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, please contact pglanguages@warwick.ac.uk.