The Department of French has a rich history dating back to 1853. Since 1925, when the first PhD was granted, the department has remained one of the most reputed departments of its kind in Canada. Many PhD graduates are professors of French in Canadian and foreign universities. Since 1980, the department has graduated more than 200 PhDs.
Graduate students benefit from a number of exceptional resources, including the outstanding collections at the Robarts Library (containing more than 500,000 volumes in French) and the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. The department participates in several collaborative specializations and has strong connections with other academic units.
Home to several research groups and projects, the department offers students vital and stimulating collaborative opportunities for research. The department also publishes its own peer-reviewed journal, Arborescences , with graduate student support. Graduate students are welcome to participate in many faculty-led research groups.