French and Philosophy (BA)

Course structure

 

The BA French and Philosophy is a four-year degree programme. It is structured in such a way that you will acquire high-level language competencies, combined with the skills to become an independent and critical thinker, equipped for professional employment.

 

In each year of the programme you will study 120 credits, equally split between 60 credits in Philosophy and 60 credits in French. Your third year will be spent studying or working abroad in France or another French-speaking country.

 

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2022/2023 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2022.

 

Year one
You will combine 60 credits of French with 60 credits of Philosophy.

 

Your first year in Philosophy is a foundation year designed to equip you with the skills for advanced study and to give you an overview of the subject that will enable you to make informed choices from the modules available in years two and three. The compulsory philosophy modules focus on the nature of thinking and introduce the central concepts, theories, arguments, and approaches of contemporary moral and political theory.

 

In year one we run two language pathways for students; an advanced pathway for students with an A-level or equivalent competence in French and a beginner’s pathway for students with limited or no knowledge of French. The first year of this programme provides a thorough foundation in the grammar of the language for those students on the beginner’s pathway and develops the linguistic skills for post A-level students on the advanced pathway.

 

You will also study a non-language module which introduces you to the development of France as a nation, exploring what it has symbolised for different groups at different moments in history. It also explores France’s exchanges with the world, enabling you to explore France’s role beyond the national borders. The module will enable you to develop a good understanding of intercultural awareness, and the highly-prized ability to mediate between cultures.

 

Year two
In year two you will again take 60 credits in Philosophy and 60 credits in French.

 

In year two there are no compulsory Philosophy modules. You may select from 60 credits of optional modules, allowing you to choose the path you take to lay a solid foundation for your final year.

 

The language elements of year two build on the work undertaken in year one, and prepare you for your year abroad.

 

In addition to language, you will study 30 credits looking at France in a transnational context. This will introduce you to key approaches, methodologies and critical tools which you can apply to an in-depth study, looking at a range of topics such as culture, history and politics.

 

Outside of your formal studies, you will have the opportunity to take part in our highly-praised Student Mentoring Scheme, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government. Pupils in selected secondary schools are mentored by our specially-trained undergraduate students who go into schools to mentor pupils in small groups of two or three over a period of five weeks.

 

You may also choose to take part in the Student Language Ambassador (SLA) scheme, acting as advocates for language learning. Following specific training, as an SLA you may get the opportunity to speak publicly at events, sharing your personal experience of language learning. You may take part in a range of activities, such as language taster sessions, presenting and promoting the year abroad, supporting School language days and events, or promoting modern languages at career fairs or open days.

 

Year three: Sandwich year

Your third year is spent in France or another French-speaking country. The year abroad will enable you to develop your language skills, deepen your understanding of French culture and develop your independence, resourcefulness and resilience.

 

Your options will include:

• studying at one of our partner universities;
• working as an English assistant in a school through the British Council Scheme, or
• working for a French organisation or company.

 

If you choose the study option, we have established exchange programmes which provide opportunities to study in institutions in cities that have included Paris, Toulouse, Chambéry, Grenoble, Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, Montpellier and Nantes. We also have academic links with Brussels and Geneva.

 

Placements for teaching assistants on a scheme run by the British Council can take you to either a major city or a small, rural town. This option provides first-hand teaching experience and allows you to earn a salary sufficient to live on, although you only work on a part-time basis. Prior to the start of your placement, the British Council provides a training weekend in the destination country. In addition, the school you have been assigned to should also guide you in your role as a teacher and help you to find a place to live.

 

The third option consists of a work placement with an organisation or company in the French-speaking world. The necessary arrangements can be made through personal contacts you may have or by approaching organisations directly. The School can also assist you in finding suitable work placements. In order to ensure that your work placement affords you plenty of opportunity to speak French and provides you with a beneficial experience, such arrangements will require prior approval by the School.

 

No matter what you choose, the year abroad is a great opportunity for you to improve your understanding of the language, immerse yourself in another culture, and gain international study or work experience. It is also excellent preparation for your final year and gives you a level of self-confidence and maturity that has proven popular with employers.

 

Any student who undertakes a study placement or a traineeship/work placement in Europe is currently eligible to apply for an Erasmus grant.

 

Year four
When we welcome you back to Cardiff in your final year, you will continue to develop your language skills, studying 30 credits of language in the final year and a 30 credit French optional module, in addition to 60 credits in Philosophy.

 

Your final year in Philosophy will be based around modules that reflect the current research activities of the staff who teach them, building on the themes studied in year two. You will read and think about the very same texts that the module leader is currently thinking and writing about.

 

French: You also have the opportunity to build on the broad base of knowledge and skills you have developed to study an area of research expertise in the School, through taught modules and/or a dissertation. You will also have the opportunity to take part in our very popular teaching module, an accredited module where you build on study and workshops at the University to undertake a teaching placement at one of our partner schools in the area.

 

The dissertation module gives you the option to engage more deeply with a chosen topic area, as well as extending your research and analytical skills.

A level
ABB-BBB. If you have grade B in the relevant language A-level you will have access to the languages advanced pathways.

 

Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

 

International Baccalaureate
32-31 overall or 665 in 3 HL subjects. If you have grade 6 in the relevant language at HL you will have access to the languages advanced pathways.

 

GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.

 

IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.

 

TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.

 

PTE Academic
At least 62 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.

 

Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.

Tuition fees for 2022 entry

Fees for home status

• £9,000    

 

Fees for overseas status

• £19,450    

School of Modern Languages    

 

In 2015/16, 94% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduation.

 

Many graduates enjoy their year overseas so much that they take time out for more travel, or go abroad on graduation in search of employment.

 

Of those who choose to remain in the UK, many pursue postgraduate studies such as one of the School’s Postgraduate Taught degrees or a PGCE. Others start work immediately following their studies, and our graduates go on to secure excellent careers in international diplomacy, the Civil Service, teaching, business and journalism. Other employment options include roles as translators, language assistants, export assistants and proof-readers.

 

School of English, Communication and Philosophy

 

In 2015/16, 95% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduation.

 

We provide our students with a highly satisfying academic experience that assists their development as critically-minded, culturally-aware citizens whose high analytic skills, powers of expression and progressive self-reliance make them extremely attractive to employers.