Queen's University Belfast

Source: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/french-politics-ba-rl12/ Parent: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/

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Undergraduate 2027

Undergraduate 2025

BA | Undergraduate

French and Politics

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Entry year : Academic Year 2027/28

Entry requirements : ABB

Attendance : 4 years (Full-time) \

UCAS Code : RL12

Overview
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French at Queen’s reflects the dynamism and cultural diversity of the French-speaking world, focusing on the language, culture and society of metropolitan France, and opening up perspectives on a range of global cultures. Students can explore a variety of contemporary issues, historical periods and geographical areas through a range of media, including art, cinema, linguistics and literature. \ \ Politics at QUB is concerned with the sources of conflict, co-operation, power and decision-making within and between societies, how differences are expressed through ideology and organisation, and how, if at all, disagreements and problems are resolved.

French at Queen’s is 2nd in the UK for Teaching Quality and 4th for Student Experience in the Times University Rankings 2026.

Course highlights

Global Opportunities

After stage 2, you will spend a period of residence (normally 8 months or more) in a French-speaking country. Students will have the possibility of acquiring professional experience by teaching in a school, undertaking a work placement, or doing voluntary work. They may also elect to study at a French university.\ \ Students in Languages at Queen’s have specialised classes to prepare them for the Year Abroad and members of our staff act as Year Abroad Officers.\ \ Queen's University Belfast is committed to providing a range of international opportunities to its students during their degree programme. Details of this provision are currently being finalised and will be available from the University website once confirmed.

There are also has links with Queen’s University’s Global Research Centre, The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice. Many of the staff are Fellows in the Mitchell Institute, where they work in collaboration with experts in peace and conflict studies from other disciplines such as law, sociology, and the creative arts.

Students taking a BA in French and Politics have a very real opportunity to gain professional experience in a global context. They undertake an extended period of residence abroad (typically 8 months), normally working as an assistant in a school or undertaking a paid work placement in a French-speaking country (previous students have gone to France but also, for example, Belgium, Canada and Guadeloupe). Students can also elect to study at a French-speaking university. In addition to the benefits for oral competence, the residence provides a unique opportunity for immersion in French and francophone culture. Moreover, the Year Abroad is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity. This feature of our degree programme gives students the opportunity for personal development, and further develops communication and language skills and intercultural awareness. The challenges of living abroad come to be a unique (and unforgettable) stage in their own personal development.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/Research/GRI/mitchell-institute/

Professional Accreditations

The study of French and Politics is not directed towards any one professional pathway, but rather provides the generic skills for success in a number of professional fields including the civil service, media, the charity sector, education, etc.

Industry Links

Politics at QUB offers a range of employment placements where students can gain real world work experience which is invaluable in terms of employment after graduation. Given that Belfast is a regional capital with devolved powers, we can offer students placements in the high profile political and related institutions on our doorstep - for example in the Department of Justice, Equality Commission, Police Ombudsman’s Office, or BBC Northern Ireland.

World Class Facilities

Queen’s has an excellent library with an outstanding range of resources in French and Francophone cultures, and in Politics. The Language Centre has state-of-the-art facilities for language learning, and the IT provision more generally is excellent.

Internationally Renowned Experts

French at Queen’s is taught by world-leading experts in nineteenth and twentieth-century French and Francophone Culture, with particular expertise in visual culture, linguistics, popular culture, medical humanities and postcolonial writing. Research in Languages at Queen’s was ranked 3rd in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment (REF 2014).

With over 30 staff at the cutting edge of research and publication, the Politics division in Queen’s is the largest in Ireland and one of the largest in the UK and Ireland, with specialisms in Irish and British politics, political theory, sustainable development, the politics of film and literature, gender, the Middle East, European Union politics, ethnic conflict and international relations.

Prof. David Phinnemore is an expert on EU Treaty reform and EU enlargement, which led to his secondment as an advisor to the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Student Experience

Our uniquely supportive pastoral care/personal tutor system is equalled only by the academic guidance available. Students run a lively French Society, and our vibrant Politics Society (Polysoc) provides a welcome and stimulating environment for new students.

We have students from around the UK, Ireland, Europe and the wider world, ensuring a rich mix of students with different experiences and backgrounds.

Further Study Opportunities

The MRes is a research preparation degree, allowing students to explore in depth a topic of their choice. It is an ideal preparation for PhD research. Other PG courses of possible interest for graduates of this pathway include the MA in Arts Management and the MA in Translation, and a variety of pathways in Politics including:\ \ International Relations \ Violence, Terrorism and Security \ Global Security and Borders

“In Queen's, what I realised is that it’s not just about the language. It’s not just about the listening, pronunciation and translation. There's a lot more to it, you learn so much more, you gain so many more skills, lifelong skills. You get a general overview of the language and can do historical modules and cultural modules, and you work with a variety of media: film, novels, short stories, poems, art."\ Veronica Rossetto, Stage Three student in BA French who began her studies in French as a Beginner.

“I chose Queen’s because the wide choice of modules essentially allows me to build my own degree. I enjoy the way we are taught through lectures and tutorials where we are given an overview of a topic, able to research more for ourselves, and then debate with our peers in tutorial sessions. The School is very open to the input of students and I enjoy the level of student engagement through societies and student-staff consultative committees.”\ Jessica Simonds, Colwyn Bay, Wales 3rd Year, BA Politics

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience here at Queen’s. I have found my course to be both stimulating and enjoyable and the facilities really are second-to-none. The standard of teaching is first class and the support available to students is excellent. I would definitely recommend Queen’s to anyone.”\ Maolíosa McGarry, Level 3 student

“In Queen's, what I realised is that it’s not just about the language. It’s not just about the listening, pronunciation and translation. There's a lot more to it, you learn so much more, you gain so many more skills, lifelong skills. You get a general overview of the language and can do historical modules and cultural modules, and you work with a variety of media: film, novels, short stories, poems, art."\ Veronica Rossetto, Stage Three student in BA French who began her studies in French as a Beginner.

“I chose Queen’s because the wide choice of modules essentially allows me to build my own degree. I enjoy the way we are taught through lectures and tutorials where we are given an overview of a topic, able to research more for ourselves, and then debate with our peers in tutorial sessions. The School is very open to the input of students and I enjoy the level of student engagement through societies and student-staff consultative committees.”\ Jessica Simonds, Colwyn Bay, Wales 3rd Year, BA Politics

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[##### Take a Virtual Tour of Campus

Explore our immersive 360 degree tours of campus buildings, facilities, accommodation and Belfast city.](https://virtualexperience.qub.ac.uk/)

[##### Undergraduate Events

Join us for an insight into life at Queen's and advice on your journey to university.](https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/events/)

[##### Your Future Career

Queen’s is ranked 9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).](https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/careers-and-employability/)

[##### Student Accommodation

The most affordable, purpose-built student accommodation in Belfast.](https://www.qub.ac.uk/accommodation/)

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Arts, English and Languages

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