Course Overview
Lancaster's four-year combined German Studies and Philosophy degree is taught by our Department of European Languages and Cultures and our Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion - ranked first for Philosophy in the Northwest in The Guardian University Guide 2013. 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; Continental Philosophy, 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.
Related Courses
- French Studies and Psychology : BA Hons
- German Studies and Psychology : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Psychology : BA Hons
- French Studies and Mathematics : BA Hons
- German Studies and Mathematics : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Mathematics : BA Hons
- French Studies and Computing : BSc Hons
- German Studies and Computing : BSc Hons
- Spanish Studies and Computing : BSc Hons
- Mathematics and Philosophy : BA Hons
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics : BA Hons
- Politics : BA Hons
- Politics (Study Abroad) : BA Hons
- Politics with International Relations : BA Hons
- Economics and International Relations : BA Hons
- Economics and Politics : BA Hons
- Politics and Sociology : BA Hons
- Peace Studies and International Relations : BA Hons
- French Studies and Geography : BA Hons
- German Studies and Geography : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Geography : BA Hons
- History and Politics : BA Hons
- Politics and Religious Studies : BA Hons
- Law and Politics : LLB
- Film and Philosophy : BA Hons
- French Studies and Linguistics : BA Hons
- German Studies and Linguistics : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Linguistics : BA Hons
- English Language and French Studies : BA Hons
- English Language and German Studies : BA Hons
- English Language and Spanish Studies : BA Hons
- Linguistics and Philosophy : BA Hons
- English Literature and Philosophy : BA Hons
- English Literature and Religious Studies : BA Hons
- French Studies : BA Hons
- French Studies and Film : BA Hons
- German Studies : BA Hons
- German Studies and Film : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Film : BA Hons
- Modern Languages : BA Hons
- French Studies and Politics : BA Hons
- German Studies and Politics : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Politics : BA Hons
- Management Studies and European Languages : BA Hons
- French Studies and English Literature : BA Hons
- German Studies and English Literature : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and English Literature : BA Hons
- French Studies and German Studies : BA Hons
- French Studies and Spanish Studies : BA Hons
- German Studies and Spanish Studies : BA Hons
- French Studies and History : BA Hons
- French Studies and Philosophy : BA Hons
- German Studies and History : BA Hons
- German Studies and Philosophy : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and History : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Philosophy : BA Hons
- History, Philosophy and Politics : BA Hons
- Philosophy : BA Hons
- Religious Studies : BA Hons
- History and International Relations : BA Hons
- Philosophy and Politics : BA Hons
- Religious Studies and Sociology : BA Hons
- History and Religious Studies : BA Hons
- Ethics, Philosophy and Religion : BA Hons
- Philosophy and Religious Studies : BA Hons
- History and Philosophy : BA Hons
- French Studies and Theatre : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Theatre : BA Hons
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
- German Studies Part I (Intensive German for Beginners)
- Part I German Studies (Advanced)
- Introduction to Philosophy
Year 2
- Preparation
- German Language: Oral Skills
- German Language: Oral Skills (post-intensive)
- German Language: Written Skills
- German Language: Written Skills (post-intensive)
- Becoming German: Post-War German-language, Culture and Identities
Year 3
- Residence Abroad: intercultural and academic reflection
Year 4
- German Language Oral Skills
- German Language Written Skills
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 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
Careers
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.
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 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