AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in French

Applications open: 13 November 2025 at 4pm

Applications close: 02 April 2026 - applications are now officially closed, but we may still consider late applications

How to apply

Internal students - Apply via Applicaa using this link https://leighacademyminster.applicaa.com/

External students - Apply via KentChoices using this link https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login. Please note - After sending your application, you'll receive a welcome email from Applicaa asking for further information.

Applications to Leigh Academy Minster’s Post-16 are managed through a system called Admissions+, powered by Applicaa. When using the portal for the first time, you will be prompted to self-register and create a user profile in order to complete the application. You will be required to supply your personal information, current place of education, predicted grades and then select your courses.

Entry Requirements: -

Admission to Level 3 programmes at Leigh Academy Minster is contingent upon strict entry requirements aimed at ensuring a high academic standard. These entry requirements are in place to guarantee that students entering Level 3 programmes are well-prepared and committed to the academic challenges and rigours associated with higher-level qualifications. Students will require five GCSEs at a grade 5 and above.

Prospective students are expected to have demonstrated a strong foundation in relevant Level 2 qualifications. All programmes have an entry threshold of at least a GCSE grade 5 or an equivalent qualification. Students wishing to study science and/or mathematics require a minimum GCSE grade 6 or higher. All students are expected to have achieved a Good or Strong Pass in English and mathematics.

All courses will run dependent on student numbers. Further information on each subject and its entry requirements can be found on the academy’s Post-16 Admissions platform.

See our website for more details - Leigh Academy Minster Website

View our Post 16 Booklet - here

The approach is a focus on how French-speaking society has been shaped, socially and culturally, and how it continues to change. In the first year, aspects of the social context are studied, together with aspects of the artistic life of French-speaking countries. In the second year further aspects of the social background are covered, this time focusing on issues such as life for those on the margins of French-speaking society as well as looking at the positive influences that diversity brings. Students also study aspects of the political landscape in a French-speaking country, looking at immigration from the political perspective and at the way in which political power is expressed through action such as strikes and demonstrations. Teenagers and the extent to which they are politically engaged looks towards the future of political life in French-speaking society.

Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of themes relating to the culture and society of countries where French is spoken, and their language skills. They will do this by using authentic spoken and written sources in French.

Students following this specification will develop their language knowledge, understanding and skills through:

using language spontaneously to initiate communication; ask and answer questions; express thoughts and feelings; present viewpoints; develop arguments; persuade; and analyse and evaluate in speech and writing, including interaction with speakers of French

applying knowledge of pronunciation, morphology and syntax, vocabulary and idiom to communicate accurately and coherently, using a range of expression – including the list of grammar in this specification

using language - learning skills and strategies, including communication strategies such as adjusting the message, circumlocution, self-correction and repair strategies

listening and responding to spoken passages including some extended passages from a range of different contexts and sources, adapted as necessary, covering different registers and types, including authentic communication involving one or more speakers

reading and responding to a variety of texts including some extended texts written for different purposes and audiences drawn from a range of authentic sources, including contemporary, historical and literary, fiction and non-fiction texts, adapted as necessary

understanding the main points, gist and detail from spoken and written material

inferring meaning from complex spoken and written material, including factual and abstract content

assimilating and using information from spoken and written sources, including material from online media

summarising information from spoken and written sources, reporting key points and subject matter in speech and writing

translating an unseen passage from French into English

translating an unseen passage from English into French.

Students must also study either one book and one film or two books from the lists in this specification. They must appreciate, analyse and be able to respond critically in writing in French to the work they have studied. Their understanding of the work must include a critical appreciation of the concepts and issues covered and a critical and analytical response to features such as the form and the technique of presentation as appropriate to the work studied (eg the effect of narrative voice in a prose text or camera - work in a film).

In addition, students following this specification will:

develop research skills in French , demonstrating the ability to initiate and conduct individual research on a subject of personal interest, relating to the country or countries where French is spoken

identify a key question or subject of interest and select relevant information in French from a range of authentic sources, including the internet

use information to illustrate knowledge and understanding of the research subject

analyse and summarise research findings, elaborating on key points of interest, as appropriate, through oral presentation and discussion.

The exams will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives.

AO1: Understand and respond:

in speech to spoken language including face-to-face interaction

in writing to spoken language drawn from a variety of sources.

AO2: Understand and respond:

in speech to written language drawn from a variety of sources

in writing to written language drawn from a variety of sources.

AO3: Manipulate the language accurately, in spoken and written forms, using a range of lexis and structure.

AO4: Show knowledge and understanding of, and respond critically and analytically to, different aspects of the culture and society of countries/communities where the language is spoken.