Course Overview
Lancaster's four-year combined German Studies and Geography degree is taught by our Department of European Languages and Cultures and our Geography Department, which is part of the award-winning Lancaster Environment Centre. This degree includes a year abroad, giving you first-hand experience of German culture and intensive exposure to the language.
Your degree begins with courses covering German Studies (Intensive for Beginners or Advanced); Society and Space ? Human Geography, and Geographical Skills and Application in a Changing World. In your second year, you'll continue with language courses to improve your written and spoken skills and Geography subjects such as Concepts.
You'll spend your third year in a country where German is spoken and complete your Residence Abroad: Intercultural and Academic Reflection. Returning to Lancaster to complete your degree, your final-year modules include German language studies and a Geography Project.
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 Lancaster Environment Centre department.
Year 1
- Society and space - Human Geography
- Geographical Skills and Application in a Changing World
- German Studies Part I (Intensive German for Beginners)
- Part I German Studies (Advanced)
Year 2
- Preparation
- Concepts
- Becoming German: Post-War German-language, Culture and Identities
Year 3
- Residence Abroad: intercultural and academic reflection
Year 4
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 Lancaster Environment Centre department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: AAB(Geog or a cognate subject) inc. German 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: Not accepted
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 pts from best three HL courses
BTEC: DDD/DDM
Mature students: Applications welcomed from mature students who can provide evidence of language-learning ability. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
IELTS: 6.5
Careers
A combined degree that includes a language is becoming highly sought after by employers. Language skills open opportunities in business, cultural communications, European politics, journalism and commentary. With strong language skills you could consider the Civil Service, the Diplomatic Service, the British Council and various international agencies.
Our Geography graduates take up careers within water and energy industries, local authorities and organisations such as the Environment Agency and the Met Office. Others work in environmental consultancy or the education sector.
If you wish to continue your studies, you'll find a postgraduate degree from Lancaster opens up opportunities in higher education while a professional qualification can lead to careers such as interpreting. With this course you could also train to teach German or English as a foreign language, in the UK or further afield.
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 which include the traditional lectures, tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory and practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based delivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using various methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, exercises, literature reviews, short tests, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include basic and in-depth questions, essays and data analysis. Students are supervised in the production of final year project reports and dissertations, while students in laboratory classes are supported by demonstrators. 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 2014, 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 2014 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 2013.
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.
