PhD in French PhD

Tuition fees for PhD French are 25,900 GBP per year.

Research Overview

Could your passion for French language, culture and history help us better understand the world in which we live in today? Follow your intercultural research interests to a deeper level in a department ranked 6th nationally in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Due to our exceptionally wide range of research expertise we offer French PhD supervision across the chronological spread of French studies, including:

• Francophone Studies
• Enlightenment and encyclopédie
• Post-war french thoughts
• Migrant writers in Paris
• The 19th century novel
• Contemporary French social theory
• Post-war French society, culture and politics
• Reception of jazz in inter-war France
• Politics and the media
• Political communication
• Gender, ethnicity, politics and the media in France
• 20th century literature
• Travel narratives
• Urban studies
• Nineteenth and 20th century poetry
• Word and image studies
• French feminism under the Third Republic
• French senate
• Interwar French politics and society
• French constitutional history
• 18th century writing
• Feminist and post-structuralist theory
• Theories of hospitality and the gift
• Translation theory
• Translation and philosophy
• Film studies

We have a very active and dynamic research community where students and academics work on projects across many disciplines. This interdisciplinary environment offers students the opportunity to communicate and exchange ideas which can be very inspiring.

The University of Nottingham is a research-intensive Russell Group university known for its global outlook and vibrant campus life in the historic city of Nottingham. Founded in 1881, the university combines a broad academic portfolio with strong research centres across faculties, offering students access to high-quality teaching and a wide range of disciplines. Its University Park campus provides extensive facilities and a lively students' union supporting societies, volunteering and entrepreneurial activities.

Students benefit from comprehensive careers support, placement opportunities and an environment that encourages innovation and employability. With large international cohorts and partnerships worldwide, Nottingham fosters collaborative research and multicultural learning experiences. Academic staff are active researchers, and many courses include practical projects, industry links and options for study abroad or global placements.

The city of Nottingham adds cultural depth with theatres, sports venues and green spaces, while affordable student living and strong transport links make it an attractive base for study. International students receive tailored support services covering visas, accommodation and wellbeing. For those seeking a research-led institution with broad course choices, strong career services and a dynamic student community, the University of Nottingham offers an engaging and internationally minded experience.