French MA
French involves the study of a key European and international language as well as the cultures it has influenced across the world.
As part of your French degree you can choose to focus on a whole range of topics including French comics, French song, travel writing, medieval France and contemporary French history.
- September start
- Session dates
- French MA (Hons): R120 5 year degree
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- Degree options
- Study abroad available
School of Modern Languages & Cultures 2024
The School of Modern Languages & Cultures offers degrees in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
French, German, Italian and Spanish can be studied on their own as a single subject or in combination with many other subjects as a joint degree.
Portuguese and Russian are offered as joint degrees, meaning you study them alongside one
other subject.
Catalan, Chinese (Mandarin), Czech and Polish are all available as optional subjects that can be incorporated into your degree.
In your first year, you will usually take a language at either Beginners level (which means you’ve never studied the language or have studied it at National 5, GCSE or equivalent) or at Non Beginners level (which means you come to Glasgow with a grade B at Higher, A-level or equivalent within the last three years).
Programme structure
Year 1
The course you study in year 1 depends on how much French you have studied before. If you have an SQA Higher or A-level in French (grade A or B), you will take the non-beginners’ language course alongside our French culture course.
If you are a beginner or near-beginner and have some previous language experience, you can take the level 1 beginners’ course, which provides an intensive foundation in reading, writing and speaking French.
Year 2
In your second year, you will extend your linguistic skills in our language and culture courses using authentic French texts and media sources.
Students progressing from the first-year beginners’ course normally study French culture 1 alongside French 2 courses.
You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2: see Flexible degrees.
Year 3 (year abroad)
The year abroad is an exciting part of every degree in languages and allows you time to immerse yourself in the language and culture you are studying. The year abroad is also highly valued by employers as it shows them you are a resourceful and adaptable person who embraces new challenges.
For students taking degrees involving languages, you will spend your third year abroad gaining credit either by:
- studying at a partner university
- working as an English Language Assistant in a school within Europe (British Council scheme)
- a work placement arranged independently, approved by the School of Modern Languages & Cultures.
If you study two languages, you will spend your year abroad in a country where one of the two languages you are studying is spoken and you’ll spend another three months abroad in your fourth year, which will allow you to go to a country where your second language is spoken.
Members of staff in each subject and in the University’s international office are on hand to support students with residence abroad.
Years 4 and 5
Along with core language study, you will be able to choose from a wide range of options including literature, cinema, history and other aspects of the language and cultures of the French-speaking world.
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Degree structure for Non Beginners Languages
The language courses in years 1 and 2 have been designed to allow you to consolidate and advance your knowledge of the language through the study of authentic texts. You will work on enhancing your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and will begin to undertake tasks which may be new to you, such as summarising and translating. The courses are assessed by online tests, oral exams and written exams.
The culture courses in years 1 and 2 will introduce you to a broad range of ideas and texts and will encourage you to think about the vast number of cultures that have been shaped by the languages you are learning. You’ll think about a variety of topics including cities, popular culture, gender and nationalism. These broad courses showcase our research specialisms and will allow you to make an informed choice when you come to decide which courses to take at Honours level.
In years 4 and 5, you will study language in greater depth and will focus on the finer nuances of language usage. You will also choose courses in areas that interest you and we have a range of specialist courses relating to history, literature, cinema and society as well as courses that focus on applied language skills (such as translation and interpreting).
Year 1
- Non Beginners Language 1: Culture 1
- 2nd Level 1 subject
- 3rd Level 1 subject
Year 2
- Language 2: Culture 2
- 2nd Level 2 subject
- A new Level 1 subject may be taken
Year 3
- Year abroad
Year 4
- Junior Honours
- [Joint subject: where applicable]
- Note: if you are studying two languages, you will go abroad to a country where one of your two languages is spoken during your 4th year.
Year 5
- Senior Honours
- [Joint subject: where applicable]
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Degree structure for Beginners Languages
The beginners language courses in year 1 are intensive language courses specially designed to allow you to take an Honours degree in the language you are studying. In year 2, you will join with the non-beginners students and will continue to develop your language skills before going abroad. You will work on enhancing your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and will begin to undertake new tasks, such as summarising and translating. The courses are assessed by online tests, oral exams and written exams.
The culture courses that you take in year 2 will introduce you to a broad range of ideas and texts and will encourage you to think about the vast number of cultures that have been shaped by the languages you are learning. You’ll think about a variety of topics including cities, popular culture, gender and nationalism. These broad courses showcase our research specialisms and will allow you to make an informed choice when you come to decide which courses to take at Honours level.
If you take a beginners language in year 1 and wish to take the subject to Hons, students of French, German, Italian and Spanish will take Language 2 and both Culture 1 and 2 in year 2. Students of Russian and Portuguese will only take Russian or Portuguese Culture 2 alongside Russian or Portuguese Language 2.
If you are a student taking two languages, we recommend that you spend your year abroad in a country where the language you have taken as a beginner is spoken.
In years 4 and 5, you will study language in greater depth and will focus on the finer nuances of the language. You will also choose courses in areas that interest you and we have a range of specialist courses relating to history, literature, cinema and society as well as courses that focus on applied language skills (such as translation and interpreting).
Year 1
- Beginners Language 1
- 2nd Level 1 subject
- 3rd Level 1 subject
Year 2
- Language 2: Culture 2
- 2nd Level 2 subject
- Culture 1 (20 credits) + further 20 credits in Level 1 courses
Year 3
- Year abroad
Year 4
- Junior Honours
- [Joint subject: where applicable]
- Note: if you are studying two languages, you will go abroad to a country where one of your two languages is spoken during your 4th year.
Year 5
- Senior Honours
- [Joint subject: where applicable]
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Course details
Courses you will take as part of a French programme may include:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Years 4 and 5 (Honours)
(Not all courses listed will be available in each session)
- Bande Dessinee
- Court And Conflict In Medieval French Literature
- French Cinema
- Language And Socio-Cultural Identity In Modern France
- Modern French Thought
- Satire And Subversion In Medieval French Literature
- The European Emblem
- Travel Writing
- French Song and Society: From Troubadours to Rap
- French Honours Spoken Language (Junior)
- French Honours Spoken Language (Senior)
- French Honours Written Language (Junior)
- French Honours Written Language (Senior)
- Consumption, Culture and Society in Modern France
- The Twenty-First Century Novel in French
- Zombies and Terror: Representations of Haitian Dictatorship
- France 1940-44: The Occupation and its Legacies
- Food and Culture in France
- Writing the Visual: The Art of the Text
- Modern French Poetry and Poetics
- Subsidiary French Language (Beginners)
- French Dissertation
- Applied Dissertation with Placement in French
- Translation Studies: An introduction to key topics in theory and practice
Courses available to students of all Modern Languages include:
- The Brothers Grimm and the European Fairy Tale
- Narrating the City: Representation of Urban Space in Literature and Film
- Classic European Cinema East and West
- Myths and Modern Imagination
- Transcultural Connections: 'Classic' Texts and their Adaptations across Cultures
- Bestsellers in the Pre-Industrial Age
- Cervantes in Hollywood
- Czech Cinema
- Czech, Polish And Russian Women's Writing In English Translation
- Subsidiary Czech Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary Czech Language (Intermediate)
- Milan Kundera, a French writer? A study in intercultural literary discourse
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Hons)
- European Political Thought: A View from Germany
- Brecht
- Catalan 1
- Catalan 2
- [[[HIST4032]]]
- The Medievalists: the Middle Ages in 20th century Eastern and Central Europe
- Czechoslovakia: A case study of a country in Europe through the history of film
- History through film and literature: Crisis situations
- Text/Image Cultures: Theory and Practice
- Subsidiary Chinese (Mandarin) Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary Chinese (Mandarin) Language (Intermediate)
- Latin American Cinema
- Censorship In Western Culture
- Multilingualism in Context
- Language Policy and Planning for European Minority Languages
- Subsidiary Polish Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary Polish Language (Intermediate)
- Subsidiary Portuguese Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary Portuguese Language (Intermediate)
- Subsidiary Russian Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary Russian Language (Intermediate)
- Russian Literature and State Power
- Brave New Worlds: Russian Culture in the Age of Revolution
- Existentialism: Atheism, Reason, and Faith
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional
circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information,
please see: Student contract.
Entry requirements
for entry in 2025
You should refer to the entry requirements for both subjects and the degree award when applying for a joint honours degree programme. The higher entry requirement (where applicable) and additional requirements must be met for both subjects.
Summary of entry requirements for French
SQA Higher entry requirements
- BBBB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer
- Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5
- Typically offers will be made at AAAAA by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher
- Additional requirements: Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject at AA. (AB or BA may be considered).
SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)
- MD20: BBBB (also other target groups*)
- MD40: AABB*
- Additional requirements: Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject. Successful completion of Top-Up or one of our Summer Schools.
* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.
A-level standard entry requirements
- AAB – BBB
- Additional requirements: one A-level Humanities subject.
IB standard entry requirements
- 34 (6,5,5)
- Additional requirements: English HL6 or Humanities HL6 with English SL6.
Advanced entry
Applicants who achieve exceptional grades in their Advanced Highers, A-levels or International Baccalaureate may be considered for advanced entry, meaning that an Honours degree can be completed in three years instead of the normal four years, or four years for five-year integrated Masters programmes.
Indicative grades to be considered for advanced entry
SQA Higher advanced entry requirements
- Three Advanced Highers at Grades AAA attained in one exam year and at the first attempt. Subjects must be relevant to the courses to be taken at Level 2.
A-Level advanced entry requirements
- A*A*A
IB advanced entry requirements
- 38 points
Note: No prior knowledge of French is required
Admissions guidance
English language
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no sub-test under 6.0.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test
- IELTS One Skill Retake accepted.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:
TOEFL (ib, my best or athome)
- 90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
PTE (Academic)
- 60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)
- 65%.
- Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
Cambridge English Qualifications
- Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
School Qualifications
- iGCSE English or ESOL 0522/0500, grade C
- International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
- International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
- SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
- SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C
- Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
- West African Examination Council, Senior Secondary School Certificate, English grade C6
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Undergraduate degree from English speaking country (including Canada if taught in English)
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from English speaking country
- Undergraduate 2+2 TNE degree taught in English in non-English speaking country
- Masters degree from English speaking country
- Masters degree (equivalent on NARIC to UK masters degree) taught in English in non-English speaking country.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact External Relations
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
Career prospects
Language graduates go into a whole host of careers including:
- media
- arts organisations
- education / teaching
- fast stream civil service
- banking
- management
- public relations
- diplomatic service.
Employers really value the transferable skills you gain during a degree in languages. A degree from the School of Modern Languages & Cultures will enable you to look at the world in a different way.
Degrees and UCAS codes
When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:
MA (Hons)
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.
Scholarships
The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.
The Ann Dodgson Foundation Grant
Young people between 16-25 years of age whose intentions for the grant fall within the Foundation's Aims are encouraged to apply for a grant. Through the provision of grants, The Ann Dodgson Foundation endeavours to further the following aims:
To advance in life and help young people in particular by:
- encouraging young people in the United Kingdom to be comfortable beyond the boundaries of their own culture and by promoting French culture.
- helping young people as well as aspiring, training and practising teachers and others involved in education, to enjoy, understand and be inspired by France – its people, its language, its history and its culture.
- helping young people learn about the United Nations – its Charter, its purpose, its range and its value.
- advancing the education of young people in the subject of France – its people, its language, its history and its culture.
World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship
The University of Glasgow has a number of World Changers Global Excellence Scholarships available to new International and EU students for 2025 entry. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount of £7,000 per year of study and is subject to satisfactory progress for consecutive years of study.
World Changers Glasgow Scholarship UG (EU)
The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow.
We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen for our European applicants, and are therefore delighted to offer the World Changers Glasgow Scholarship UG (EU) to new incoming EU students starting an undergraduate programme for Academic Session 2025-26. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount of £5,000 for every year of study and is subject to satisfactory progress for consecutive years of study. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.
Applicants that completed a Study Abroad year, Exchange programme or International Summer School at the University of Glasgow and therefore eligible for the Alumni discount could be granted the EU Welcome Award as well.
World Changers RUK Excellence Scholarship
The RUK Excellence Scholarship of £1,000 for each year of study will be awarded to first degree new entrants who have attained academic excellence in one sitting at A Level (or equivalent).
World Changers RUK Access Bursary
The bursary supports talented students who may not be able to take their place at University for reasons of financial hardship. It is available to new entrant full-time, undergraduate students of the University of Glasgow who are fully registered for the up coming academic session, ordinarily domiciled in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and paying annual tuition fees of £9,250 per annum.
James McCune Smith Undergraduate Scholarship
The University of Glasgow has up to 30 undergraduate scholarships available for students of African/African-Caribbean backgrounds. The scholarship supports students who could face financial difficulties taking up their place to study at the university. The value of the scholarship is £2,000, paid in instalments for year one of undergraduate study. The scholarship is open to new applicants to the university for 2025 entry. Current students who have previously been in receipt of the award may reapply, however, preference will be given to applicants entering their first year of study.
Republic of Ireland (RoI) Excellence Scholarship
The RoI Excellence Scholarship of £1,000 for each year of study will be awarded to first degree entrants who have attained at Irish Higher grades H1, H1, H1, H2, H2 from the Irish Leaving Certificate for 2023 entry. Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine applicants are not eligible for this award.
Payments
- The RoI Excellence Scholarship will be processed as a cash payment.
- The RoI Excellence Scholarship will be paid in 2 instalments.
- The first payment will be in October and the second payment will be in February.
These payments will be credited to the UK bank account held on your MyCampus profile; therefore, it is vital that this is up to date at the start of the session. By submitting your bank details on the MyCampus system, you are confirming that you agree with the terms and conditions of the award.
Please see here for further information and eligibility criteria for 2024 entry.
Beaconhouse Schools
The University of Glasgow offer a 15% discount on the first year of tuition fee to students from Beaconhouse Schools and who enrol on an undergraduate programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount does not apply to Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Dentistry programmes.
Undergraduate Talent Scholarships
The University of Glasgow is awarding c.50 undergraduate Talent Scholarships to support students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University for 2025 entry. The value of each scholarship is typically £1,500 p.a. for each year of the degree programme, subject to satisfactory progress. Talent Scholarships are available to students entering any of the University's Colleges.
Dental School students are eligible for a Talent Scholarship in their first year of study only. They are eligible for the NHS Dental Student Support Grant in the following years.
Republic of Ireland (RoI) Access Bursary
Glasgow has a long and proud tradition of providing financial support to talented students who, for reasons of financial hardship, might not be able to take a place at university. Our RoI Access Bursary is part of our commitment to continue to attract and support students from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Payments of the RoI Access Bursary will be detailed in your Award Letter.
- The RoI Access Bursary will be awarded as a cash payment.
- The RoI Access Bursary will be paid in 10 instalments from October until July; this award is based on household income
- The RoI Access Bursary will only be awarded in years where tuition fees of £9,250 apply
Please see here for up to date information and criteria for 2024 entry.
Beatrix Whistler and James McNeill Whistler Scholarship
The Beatrix Whistler and James McNeill Whistler Scholarships originate with an important collection of works by Whistler gifted by Miss Rosalind Birnie Philip to the University in 1935. Since then, and thanks to further gifts and acquisitions, the Hunterian has come to hold one of the two leading collections of Whistler’s work in the world and History of Art (SCCA) has become an international centre of expertise for the study of Whistler and his 19th century world.
At her death in 1958, Miss Birnie Philip, Whistler’s heir and executrix, bequeathed the remainder of her art collection to the University, together with part of her residual estate for the purpose of establishing a scholarship scheme for students engaged in any branch of learning within the College of Arts & Humanities. In 2019, the Whistler scholarships scheme was revised in acknowledgement of the continuing links between Miss Birnie Philip’s 1958 bequest of artworks and her wish to support student learning at the University.
The Whistler Scholarships are open to students in all disciplines of the College of Arts & Humanities. The award committee is willing to consider both individual applications AND joint applications (from up to THREE students). Innovative interdisciplinary work is particularly encouraged. However, students may only involve themselves in the submission of ONE application (individual OR joint).
The Whistler Scholarships cover travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses ONLY.
Cowrie Foundation Scholarship
The University of Glasgow and The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation (CSF) will offer a scholarship to support Black African and Caribbean heritage applicants from socio-economically challenged backgrounds. Applicants must be ordinarily resident in the UK and commencing an undergraduate study programme.
The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation wants to fund 100 Black British students through UK universities in the next decade. More information on the Foundation can be found here.
Sanctuary Scholarships
The University of Glasgow is offering up to 30 Sanctuary Scholarships for applicants to the University, who have been forced to travel to the UK for humanitarian reasons and are facing challenges in progressing onto Higher Education. The scholarship is open to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate taught students at the University of Glasgow applying for entry in September 2025/26. Please note that you must have applied to the University before submitting an application for this scholarship.
The scholarship will meet the cost of tuition fees for the duration of your programme, for applicants who are unable to access mainstream funding through Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) or Student Finance. The Sanctuary Scholarship also provides a £5,000 per year stipend, to assist with study costs. In addition, if the eligibility criteria for university accommodation is met, this will also be provided for the duration of your degree, if required. For more information on the accommodation criteria, please see the Accommodation Services section on the website.
Undergraduate students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs only, if successful.
Postgraduate Taught Masters students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs and a partial tuition fee waiver, to cover any shortfall not met by your Postgraduate Masters tuition fee loan.
The Dima Alhaj Scholarship
The Dima Alhaj Scholarship was set up in 2024 in memory of a University of Glasgow alumna. After graduating, Dima worked in Gaza with the World Health Organization as a patient administrator at the limb reconstruction centre, as part of the trauma and emergency team and was tragically killed in Gaza in November 2023. The Scholarship is open to a Palestinian National who is living in or has been forced to leave the State of Palestine due to humanitarian reasons. The chosen applicant may be domiciled in any country but must be a Palestinian National. The scholarship is open to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate taught applicants to the University of Glasgow applying for entry in September 2025/26.
The Clan Gregor Society Prize
The Clan Gregor Society is offering an award to new entrants to the University of Glasgow who descend from Clan Gregor. Prospective students will be asked to submit an application highlighting areas of consideration such as academic excellence and financial need. The award is open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants for 2024 entry.
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
How to apply
Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.
International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.
Application deadlines
- 15 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
- 29 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
- 30 June: international students.
We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.
It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.
- Apply at www.ucas.com or through your school or college
- Contact UCAS on 0871 468 0468
- Apply at commonapp.org (international students to certain areas only)
How to apply for Advanced Entry
Apply for year 2 (Y2) on your UCAS application. If the specific subject is unavailable for Advanced Entry or your application for year 2 entry is unsuccessful, you will be automatically considered for year 1 entry. You do not have to submit a separate UCAS application.
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