Course Overview
Lancaster's four-year combined German Studies and Philosophy degree is taught by our Department of European Languages and Cultures - ranked in the UK to ten by The Complete University Guide 2011 - and our Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion - ranked first in the Northwest in The Guardian University Guide 2011. This degree scheme also includes a year abroad.
Your German Studies programme focuses on developing fluency in the language, complemented by courses on the country's historical, cultural, social and political background. In Philosophy, you can choose from a range of options to suit your interests.
You'll begin your degree with courses including German Language (Intensive for Beginners or Advanced) and Introduction to Philosophy. You'll move on to language specific culture studies with second and final year modules covering Becoming German: Identity Formation in Modern German Society and Culture, and Images of Austria: National Identity and Cultural Representation. Your Philosophy subjects include Knowledge and Reality; Modern Political Thought, and Cross-Cultural Ethics.
In your third year, you'll study or work in a German-speaking country before returning to Lancaster to finish your degree.
For a list of compulsory modules, please see the tab above.
Lancaster University's an interesting place. It's a friendly and accepting environment, and I'm really enjoying it here.
Career opportunities
Employers increasingly look for degrees that include a language and Lancaster's language students have proven particularly employable. With strong language skills, you could consider the Civil Service, the Diplomatic Service, the British Council and various international agencies.
Our Philosophy graduates have gone on to a great variety of careers, using their skills in jobs requiring analysis, assessment and weighing-up of arguments. Recent Philosophy graduates have been employed in law, computing consultancy, finance and government positions.
You might also choose to continue your studies at Lancaster. A postgraduate degree opens up opportunities in higher education while a professional qualification can lead to a career in interpreting for example. Many of our graduates train to become teachers of German, politics or English as a foreign language, either in the UK or further afield.
Entry Requirements
A-level: AAB 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: 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 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
For details of how we evaluate international qualifications, please click here.
Financial Support
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. In addition to government maintenance loans, grants and national scholarships, Lancaster University offers a range of financial support for full time UK Undergraduate students from lower-income backgrounds. Many students each year will be entitled to bursaries or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses.
The Lancaster Scholarship package is designed to reward the hard work and natural ability of full-time UK students applying to study with us regardless of their household income. Students achieving A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications) will receive a £1,000 per year Lancaster Scholarship during their undergraduate studies if they place us as their firm choice institution. Continuation of the Lancaster Scholarship is subject to satisfactory academic progression.
Our combined £5,000 bursary package will help students from England whose household incomes are less than £25,000 per year with fees and living costs.
Students from England eligible for our £5,000 bursary package will also be awarded a £3,000 Lancaster Scholarship if they achieve A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications). This totals £8,000 of support for students during their studies.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our
fees and funding page.
