Bonjour et bienvenue !

Welcome to the Department of French at University College Cork. Since the foundation of the University in the 1800s, we have educated generations of students to understand the language, culture and society of France and other French-speaking countries across the globe. We have also made a significant contribution through our internationally leading research to knowledge of France and the Francophone world. 

The first ever woman to hold the title of Professor in Ireland or Great Britain, Professor Mary Ryan, was appointed in 1910 and taught French here. To this day, we continue to be proud pioneers of diversity and inclusion in our student body, our curriculum, our research and our outlook.

We are one of the largest departments of French in Ireland, with around 160 Undergraduate students commencing studies in French each year, and 14 full-time members of teaching staff: 7 expert language teachers and 7 academic researchers who  deliver cutting-edge research-led taught modules in their areas of expertise, in Francophone colonial and postcolonial studies (Africa and the Caribbean), modern and contemporary French thought (including political theory, psychoanalysis and postcolonial theory), sociolinguistics and the acquisition of French as a second language, translation studies and queer theory. Our research is supported by the Centre for Advanced Studies in Languages and Cultures, CASiLaC, part of the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures and UCC’s Future Humanities Institute.

We may be one of the largest and longest established departments of French in Ireland but we also pride ourselves on being friendly, supportive and approachable. Whether you are a prospective Undergraduate or PhD student, a member of the community, a prospective Postdoctoral researcher, an established colleague or a journalist looking for expert comment and analysis, our Department of French is keen to hear from you.

You can get or stay in touch with us in the following ways:

• Email: french@ucc.ie
• BlueSky: @frenchdeptucc.bsky.social
• X: @FrenchDeptUCC
• And soon on LinkedIn.

Professor Oliver Davis, Head of Department