Course structure
The LLB Law and French programme is a full-time, four year honours degree. Academic years consist of two semesters and you are required to pursue modules to the value of 120 credits in each year of your studies. The third year is a year spent studying or working abroad.
You will receive a thorough grounding in the law of England and Wales, and French law.
In the School of Modern Languages, you will undertake French studies comprising compulsory language modules involving tuition to proficiency in reading, speaking and writing French, and optional modules focussing on the study of culture, history and literature in a transnational context so that in successive years student’s develop high-level language competencies and the skills to become independent and critical thinkers, equipped for high-level professional employment.
In Year 1 you will take 80 credits in Law modules and one compulsory 40 credit module in French, providing you with a solid base for the next three years of your degree programme.
In year 2 you will take 90 credits in Law modules one compulsory 30 credit module in French language.
A key feature of the Law and French programme is the year abroad which takes place in year three. This is spent in the law faculty of a university in France (currently Amiens, Nantes, Rennes or Toulouse) during which time you will build upon your linguistic and national legal skills and take full advantage of the benefits of studying in a foreign university environment.
In year 4 you will take a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 90 credits in Law modules and a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 60 credits in MLANG modules (which will include one compulsory 30 credit French language module). You will build on the broad base of knowledge and skills you have developed to follow specialised research-led teaching and/or dissertation work, taught and/or supervised by cutting-edge research staff, working on the culture, politics and history of your target culture.
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
In Year one you will take 80 credits of compulsory Law modules and one compulsory 40 credit module in French language, providing you with a solid base for the next three years of your degree programme.
Year one develops the linguistic skills for post A-level students on the advanced pathway.
A varied language timetable includes oral expression, aural comprehension and writing skills, which are taught in small groups to enhance confidence and active learning. Our teaching methods allow you to engage with a range of materials including videos, films, websites as well as interactive learning tools. Language classes are taught through the medium of French, thus allowing you to immerse yourself in the language right from the start. Class materials include a range from literary and historical to contemporary journalistic texts, providing a broad insight into French language and culture.
Year two
You will study modules amounting to 120 credits in total, 80 of which are to be chosen from the list of optional Law modules available. Remaining modules will be taken from the list of options in French.
If you wish to obtain a qualifying Law degree, you will notice that our QLD modules (Tort and Land Law) are offered with a range of credit weightings. This provides you with flexibility in your module choices but also allows you to study the modules needed for a qualifying law degree.
The list of optional modules is kept under review on an annual basis in light of factors such as staff resources and student demand. The final honours classification is based on the assessments taken in years two and three
Year three: Sandwich year
Year three is spent in France. This year will enable you to develop your language skills, deepen your understanding of the target culture and develop your independence, resourcefulness and resilience.
Your options include studying at the law faculty one of our partner universities in France (currently Amiens, Nantes, Rennes or Toulouse) during which time you will build upon your linguistic and national legal skills and take full advantage of the benefits of studying in a foreign university environment.
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.
Any student who undertakes a study placement or a traineeship/work placement in Europe is currently eligible to apply for an Erasmus grant.
While you are away from Cardiff, you will be assigned a Year Abroad coordinator, who will keep in touch with you and monitor your progress. You may also get a visit from one of your lecturers who will be keen to find out how you are getting on.
Final Year students and students visiting Cardiff from our partner institutions are usually happy to help with our regular year abroad briefings and have contributed to our extensive ‘year abroad module’ on Learning Central which provides you with student-centred advice throughout your year abroad.
Studying or working abroad is excellent preparation for your final year and gives you a level of self-confidence and maturity that has proven popular with employers.
Year four
When we welcome you back to Cardiff, you will take a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 90 credits in Law and a minimum of 30 (in the form of a compulsory 30 credit French language module) and a maximum of 60 credits in the School of Modern Languages.
You will build on the broad base of knowledge and skills you have developed to follow specialised research-led teaching and/or dissertation work, taught and/or supervised by cutting-edge research staff, working on the culture, politics and history of your target culture.
If you wish to obtain a qualifying Law degree, you will notice that our QLD modules (Law of the European Union and Equity and Trusts) are offered with a range of credit weightings. This provides you with flexibility in your module choices but also allows you to study the modules needed for a qualifying law degree.
