French - AS

L3 Level 3
Full Time
3 September 2025 — 21 June 2026
City Centre Campus, Cardiff

About this course

The French AS programme is a one-year course of study and should be taken in conjunction with two or three other subjects and the Welsh Baccalaureate.  Based at our City Centre campus in Cardiff, learners may be able to take this qualification as a part-time student. AS level French is suitable for students wishing to further their existing knowledge of French, and is ideal if you wish to develop a deeper knowledge of French society, language and culture. You will also benefit from this course if you need to use French for work, study, training or leisure activities, as you will develop all four skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing. Furthermore, this course will provide an insight into the cultural aspects of French speaking countries, as well as providing the opportunities for students to explore contemporary issues. 


Pupils will have access to a range of multi-media and IT resources throughout the course, making use of the IT facilities in class, as well as those located in the Learning Centres and in the Open Access Suite, where support is always available. Advice, help and encouragement are also offered to students who are not familiar with ICT. French grammar is taught at each class and is reinforced through exercises and help sheets that can be accessed via Moodle (the college’s internet-based learning environment). 
Learners will have opportunities to develop their oral skills with native French speakers and contacts with French and Québec schools are provided and encouraged.

What you will study

There are 2 themes studied in AS French: 

  • Being a young person in French-speaking society 
  • Understanding the French-speaking world. 

Theme 1: Being a young person in French-speaking society 

Learners will study family structures, traditional and modern values, and friendships and relationships,  youth trends, issues and personal identity and  educational and employment opportunities. This is a theme which resonates in the lives of young people today and will enable the learner to empathise with issues and deepen their knowledge of how they affect the countries or communities where French is spoken. 


Theme 2: Understanding the French-speaking world 

In this theme, learners will study regional culture and heritage in France, French-speaking countries and communities and literature, art, film and music in the French-speaking world. This immerses learners in the culture and heritage of France and French-speaking countries and communities. 

Learners will in addition study one film. 

Entry requirements

Individual Subject Entry Requirement English Language minimum B B in GCSE French

Teaching and assessment

Unit 1 Speaking - 12% of qualification  

The speaking assessment will last 12-15 minutes in total. There are 2 separate tasks. In the first task, learners have to argue a point of view based on a written stimulus card. The second speaking task involves a discussion based on a second written stimulus card. 

Unit 2 Listening, reading, translation and critical response in writing - 28% of qualification 

For this assessment, learners have to answer comprehension questions based on Listening and Reading passages, translate a short passage from French into English and write an essay of approximately 300 words on the film they have studied. 

Important points

  • The College welcomes contact with parents/guardians of students who are under 18.
  • Additional support is available for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
  • Cardiff and Vale College is committed to inclusion and values diversity. We are determined to promote equality of opportunity and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
  • Cardiff and Vale College reserves the right to make changes to this course without prior notice.
  • Course fees are subject to change. Your fee will be confirmed prior to enrolment.
  • All courses are accurate at the time of upload or print.
  • Courses can only run if there are sufficient numbers.
  • Please note, if you choose three or more course choices, then you may be referred for a careers appointment first. This does not apply to A Level or GCSE choices.
Key information

Start date

3 September 2025

End date

21 June 2026

Time of day

Day Time

Full Time

4.5 hours per week

Location

City Centre Campus, Cardiff
Maps & directions

Course code

ASCC3F48
L3

Qualification

French - AS
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Fantastic university progression routes! With hundreds of students gaining places at Oxbridge, Russell Group and other leading universities. In fact, this year more than 500 students achieved their firm or insurance choice through UCAS, with nearly 100 being Russell Group universities!

On completion of the A Level programme, the majority of our students progress onto universities across the country and beyond. Based on this course, there are many options but below are just a few examples of degree programmes you could go on to study at University:

  • French
  • Languages
  • History
  • Law

Locations

City Centre Campus, Cardiff
City Centre Campus, Cardiff

City Centre Campus,

Dumballs Road,

Cardiff,

CF10 5FE