French Queen's University Belfast

Overview

This French programme offered by Queen's University Belfast supports original research across a wide range of topics relating to French and Francophone studies within a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment. Candidates pursue independent scholarly enquiry while engaging with contemporary debates surrounding literary production, linguistic change, visual representation, cultural expression, and transnational connections across different French-speaking societies.

Learning Outcomes

A PhD in French provides students with the opportunity to pursue their individual research interests and make an original contribution to the field. Throughout the programme, students develop and refine their skills in independent research, critical thinking, time management, and oral and written communication. Completion of a PhD is generally an essential requirement for pursuing academic careers in French.

Course Structure

Students normally begin their studies as an ‘undifferentiated PhD student’, having demonstrated to academic staff their ability to undertake a research degree. The final decision on progression towards a PhD is made following the completion of a process known as ‘differentiation’.

For full-time students, differentiation typically takes place 9–12 months after registration, while part-time students usually undergo the process 18–30 months after registration. As part of this process, students submit their research work to a panel of up to three academics, followed by a formal meeting with the Differentiation Panel.

The Panel assesses each student’s capacity to continue with doctoral research and determines whether progression towards a PhD is appropriate. In some cases, students may be advised to revise their research objectives or consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification instead of a doctoral degree.