French (Research)

Make an original, positive and lasting contribution to French and Francophone studies. A PhD is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise as part of an active research community making impact across the globe. Join us at the heart of Scotland’s capital and festival city.

French is a major world language, spoken in many parts of Europe, Africa and the Americas. It has been studied at the University of Edinburgh since 1894. Today, French and Francophone studies at Edinburgh is one of the largest and best-established subject areas of its kind in the UK.

Our specialisms cover French and Francophone cultural production from the Middle Ages to the present. Our expertise extends across a broad range of cross-disciplinary areas within the fields of literary studies, visual cultures, politics and philosophy. These include:

• Postcolonial and decolonial studies

• Intermediality and transcultural exchange

• Gender and queer studies

• Medieval and early modern studies

Over the course of your PhD, you will complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of at least two supervisors. Your thesis will be around 80,000 words.

Our programme includes access to skills training, including research methodologies specific to French and Francophone studies. Our research collections, resources and facilities are outstanding.