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French Studies (Graduate Diploma)

Graduate Diploma

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Key information

Key information for 2027-28

Start date:
October 2027
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, on campus

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus

Course overview

Our Graduate Diploma in French Studies is ideal if you are keen to study French language, literature and culture at an advanced level. It will help you become a proficient French speaker with a critical appreciation of the literature and cultural history of France and the French-speaking world from the Enlightenment to the present day.

  • Why choose this course?
    • You will be taught by specialists from a centre of teaching and research excellence that prides itself on research-led teaching.
    • It offers you the chance to attend numerous workshops, public lectures and conferences organised by our affiliated research centres such as the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies.
    • If you have a degree in another subject or have taken a break from studying, this course will improve your written French and develop your research and study skills to prepare you for a master's degree in French or comparative studies.
    • It is also ideal if you are a teacher wishing to refresh and deepen your knowledge but you are not quite ready to undertake a full MA.

  • What will I learn?

    This qualification will prepare you for postgraduate study and allow you to pursue a personal or intellectual ambition. You will gain a high level of proficiency in French language and develop your understanding of French culture by choosing option modules from a diverse and challenging syllabus, exploring French literature and culture through a range of different periods, from the eighteenth century to today. 

    You can also choose one of our cross-cultural modules, allowing you to analyse comparative themes across linguistic, cultural and historical contexts. At the same time, you will master transferable skills such as essay writing, oral presentations and written reports, critical and logical thinking, and translating. 

  • How will I learn?

    Teaching takes place in small-group seminars giving you plenty of opportunities to participate actively and interact with your peers and our experienced tutors, who are experts in their fields. Language teaching is delivered in French, allowing you full immersion in the language.

    This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening allowing you the flexibility to combine studying your Graduate Diploma with other commitments, such as work and family.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two to three evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One to two evenings a week, October to July.

  • Course disclaimer

    ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • This course is designed for students with a particular interest in developing their French to an advanced level, or who require further training to progress to an MA course, such as ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú’s MA/MRes Modern Languages and Comparative Literatures.
  • Ours is a community of scholars with shared interests in interdisciplinary topics and cross-cultural research. Our affiliated research centres, the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies and ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú’s Eighteenth-Century Research Group provide a dynamic and exciting platform for this exchange, alongside many other ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú events, such as our annual celebration of Arts Week.
  • All teaching takes place in our central London location in Bloomsbury, a stone’s throw from all the cultural richness that London has to offer by way of theatre, museums and galleries. 
  • You could be studying in a building that was once home to Virginia Woolf and frequented by members of the Bloomsbury Group. The building houses our own creative hub which includes the Peltz Gallery, the Gordon Square cinema and a theatre and performance space.
  • We are also close to a number of cultural centres and research libraries relevant to French studies at advanced levels, including Senate House Library, the British Library, British Film Institute, Warburg Institute and Institut Français.

Modules and Teaching

School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication

The school's teaching and research is highly interdisciplinary, spanning cultures and periods. Academic and practice-based study will equip you for a career in the creative and cultural industries.

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Entry requirements

Normally a second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) in a subject other than French studies or modern languages.

Language skills in French equivalent to A-level plus one year (also equivalent to a pass in French 3).

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study  (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú or another institution.

Come and meet us

14 October
Postgraduate International Webinar

If you are an international student looking to start postgraduate study in January 2027, this webinar is for you. Book Postgraduate International Webinar

11 November
January Starts 2027: Postgraduate Open Evening

Are you looking to start postgraduate study in 2027? Join us on campus and discover your postgraduate study options. Book Postgraduate Open Evening

Campus tours

Join a current student for a lively 45-minute campus tour available year-round. Book a campus tour

Fees

Graduate Diploma: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2027

Academic year 2027-28

Part-time home students: £3,890 per year
Full-time home students: £7,780 per year
Part-time international students: £7,260 per year
Full-time international students: £14,520 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú.

ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by .

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this Graduate Diploma in French Studies, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

  • enhanced intercultural awareness, especially in relation to the French-speaking world
  • critical thinking
  • advanced communication skills in both English and French
  • time management and organisation.

Graduates can pursue career paths in the Civil Service, international organisations or businesses, translating and teaching, research and journalism. Possible professions include:

  • translator
  • secondary school teacher
  • researcher
  • journalist
  • diplomatic services operational officer
  • interpreter.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú.

How to apply

You apply directly to ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more on our how to apply page.

Related courses

Study routes for French Studies (Graduate Diploma) (Graduate Diploma)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2027

Full-time

Part-time