Course Overview
Lancaster's four-year combined French Studies and Linguistics degree is provided by our Department of European Languages and Cultures - ranked in the UK top ten in The Complete University Guide, 2011 - and our Department of Linguistics and English Language - ranked first in the UK by The Complete University Guide 2011. An integral year abroad gives you the opportunity to gain intensive exposure to the French language and culture.
Your French Studies programme concentrates on developing fluency in the language, complemented by courses on the country's historical, cultural, social and political background. In Linguistics, you'll focus on the study of the sound, grammar and meaning systems of different languages.
You'll begin your degree with courses including Part I Linguistics and French Language (Intensive for Beginners or Advanced). In your second year, you'll study subjects such as The Structures of Language; Topics in Linguistic Theory, and Shaping Contemporary France: Culture, Politics and the Legacy of History.
In your third year, you'll study or work in a French-speaking country and complete your Residence Abroad: Intercultural and Academic Reflection before returning to Lancaster to finish your degree.
For a list of compulsory modules, please see the tab above.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the European Languages and Cultures department.
Year 1
- English Sounds and Structures
- Discourse Analysis: Looking at Language in Use
- Language Acquisition and Language Origins
- Corpus-based English Language Studies
- Language and Identities: Gender, ethnicity and class
Year 2
- French Language: Oral Skills
- French Language: Written Skills
- Shaping Contemporary France: Culture, Politics and the Legacy of History
- The Structures of Language
- Part I French Studies (Intensive)
- French Studies (Advanced)
- French Language: Oral skills (post-intensive)
- French Language: Written Skills (post-intensive)
- Language Acquisition and Language Origins
- Catalan Language Level 1
Year 2/3/4
- Part I French Studies (Intensive)
- French Studies (Advanced)
Year 3
- Residence Abroad: intercultural and academic reflection
Year 4
- French Language: Oral Skills
- French Language: Written Skills
- Topics in Linguistic Theory
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the European Languages and Cultures department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: AAB to include English Language, English Language and Literature or a modern/classical language at grade A and French unless this is to be studied from beginners level, in which case applicants should have evidence of language - learning ability (e.g. an AS or A-level in another foreign language or GCSE grade A in a foreign language).We normally expect three A-levels
General Studies: Accepted as one of 3 A-levels
Key skills: Not included in offer
Scottish Highers: ABBBB
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 35 pts overall with 16 from best three HL courses
BTEC: DDD/DDM
Mature students: Applications welcomed from mature students who can provide evidence of language-learning ability
IELTS: 6.5
Careers
Foreign languages are greatly sought after in today's global business environment and our graduates enjoy a wide choice of careers ranging from accountancy and IT to journalism, advertising and librarianship.
Languages are a great foundation for an international career in the Diplomatic or Civil Service, the British Council and similar organisations. Business is another popular choice, especially within Europe-based or global companies. Education - in this country or abroad - is another field chosen by many of our graduates.
You may also decide to continue with your studies at Lancaster or another institution and undertake postgraduate research or professional training in the field of languages or Linguistics.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments designed to best support the requirements of your chosen degree programme. These may include lecture and tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory sessions, other practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based elivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using a variety of different methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, short and sharply focussed critical reports, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Multiple choice formats are also employed where appropriate. Students are supported in the production of final year project reports and dissertations. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2013, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2013 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2012.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
View details of our current Undergraduate fees.
