Course Overview
Our four-year degree gives you the opportunity to study three modern European languages from a choice of French, German, Spanish or Italian. You will focus on developing fluency and understanding in all three languages, through extensive practice in speaking, reading, listening and writing. You can also choose from a range of modules which explore the arts, culture and history and the social and political systems of the countries whose languages you are learning. Your degree course includes a comparative element, which allows you to see the languages and cultures you're studying in the context of European history as a whole.
You will spend your third year abroad in countries where the languages you are studying are spoken and can choose to be a salaried English-language assistant in a school, take up a work placement or study at one of our partner universities.
If you take our three language combined major scheme in Modern Languages you must split your third year between two countries. If you continue with all three languages into your final year, we encourage you to make your own arrangements to spend your vacation time in the third country.
Lancaster University's an interesting place. It's a friendly and accepting environment, and I'm really enjoying it here.
Career opportunities
Foreign languages are among the most valuable skills in today's workplace and Lancaster language graduates were ranked most employable in the UK in 2009 and 2010. The international experience gained from working or studying abroad, together with the language and cultural competencies developed are a real strength for graduates wishing to move into various positions in the corporate world or public sector.
Teaching and business are among the most popular career choices for our graduates, especially teaching abroad or working for a company with a European focus. Our graduates have also found work in areas as diverse as journalism, advertising, computing, librarianship and accountancy. They often find employment in international organisations such as the Diplomatic or Civil Service or the British Council. Many also decide to stay on at university after graduation to develop research interests.
Modules
Here are some of the current modules which are available during your studies at Lancaster:
PartI
- French Studies (Advanced)
- German Studies Part I (Intensive German for Beginners)
- Part I French Studies (Intensive)
- Part I German Studies (Advanced)
- Part I Italian Studies (Intensive)
- Part I Spanish Studies (Advanced)
- Part I Spanish Studies (Intensive)
PartII (Year 2)
- Culture, Politics and the Legacy of History
- From the Spanish Empire to the 21st Century
- Intensive (Spoken Language)
- Intensive (Written Language)
- Italian Art and Politics from Botticelli to Berlusconi
- Oral Skills
- Oral Skills
- Oral Skills
- Oral Skills (post-intensive)
- Oral skills
- Oral skills (post-intensive)
- Post-War German-language, Culture and Identities
- Written Skills
- Written Skills
- Written Skills (post-intensive)
- Written Skills (post-intensive)
- Written skills
- Written skills
PartII (Year 3)
- intercultural and academic reflection
PartII (Year 4)
- German Language Oral Skills
- German Language Written Skills
- Oral Skills
- Oral Skills
- Oral skills
- Written Skills
- Written Skills
- Written skills
For more detailed module information please visit the European Languages and Cultures department website.
Entry Requirements
A-level: AAB, normally including two of the languages to be studied (French, German, Italian, Spanish); candidates with only one language A-level but with AS-level or other record of competence in a second language should contact the department before applying.
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 15 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.
