PhD French Studies: The University of Manchester

Course description

Research in French Studies research covers a wide range: from medieval manuscripts to twentieth-century women's writing; from culture and society to history of the book; from classical theatre to contemporary cinema and dance. Besides being acknowledged as high-quality in its own right [50% achieving the two highest possible ratings of 4* (world-leading) and 3* (internationally excellent) in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise], this research ensures a dynamic environment for postgraduates.

Conferences recently hosted in Manchester include `Elites, print media and social control'; `French popular music'; and `Nineteenth-century history painting'. Major research grants have supported projects on `Catholic Theatre in Twentieth-Century France' (Leverhulme Trust) and `Poetic Knowledge in Late Medieval France' (AHRC, with Cambridge and Princeton). Staff have also secured numerous grants to support smaller research projects, to complete books or articles or to host visiting researchers from other countries. Regular research seminars, involving both visiting speakers and discussion of staff and students' current work, further enhance the research culture.

Career opportunities

The professional careers open to students who have taken a PhD in French vary widely: some continue their studies to post-doctoral level in academic posts, while others opt for careers in primary or secondary education, in commerce or in administration at the local or national level.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: Successful completion of a Masters course, or its overseas equivalent, with an element of research training, is a prerequisite for entry to a PhD. A research proposal must be included with the formal application materials.

English language: Students whose first language is not English require an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with 7.0 in the writing component or a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based test), 250 (computer-based test) or 100 (internet-based test).