Languages and Global Cultures

Deep dive into the fascinating world of language, where words become bridges to understanding and cultures come alive through communication. For those that excel in language learning, this degree will enable you to fast-track your learning and take up to three languages. You’ll graduate with a postgraduate language degree and advanced skills that will get you noticed by future employers.

Choose to major in up to two languages from Chinese, German, French and Spanish, or study one major language and pick up to two ‘discovery’ languages – including Italian and Arabic.

Why Lancaster?

• Accelerate your learning experience as you go from undergraduate to master’s level in just four years, with three years at Lancaster and one year abroad

• Challenge yourself as a linguist whilst engaging with the cultures of the countries where they are spoken

• Discover the value of transcultural approaches to resolving complex societal challenges

• Embrace the opportunity to study abroad, giving you the chance to immerse yourself fully in your chosen country or countries

• Gain an internationally recognised qualification and the skills and confidence to work as a language and cultures specialist

Tailor your own pathway
This degree requires you to have previously studied at least one language up to A-Level or equivalent. In your first year, you will develop your core language skills at advanced level whilst exploring the presence of languages and cultures across the globe.

Embracing an interdisciplinary perspective, your language studies will be enriched with a range of cultural studies relating to your chosen languages. You will explore film, visual media, literature, art, and history, providing a comprehensive understanding of the society contexts of your chosen languages.

You will examine major global issues such as the climate emergency, global health crisis, human rights, and community engagement, and learn how these topics intersect with issues of race, gender, sexuality, disability, and belief around the world.

If you join with one language, you will also be able to pick one “discovery” language – for which you can choose to study Arabic, Chinese, German, French, Italian or Spanish from beginners' level.

Your first year will also help you prepare to study abroad in your second year at one of our partner universities in China, France, Germany or Spain.

Fast-track to higher levels
On returning to Lancaster after your year abroad, you will study on our ‘Becoming Proficient’ level for your core language(s); students with one major language will be able to choose to continue with their “discovery” language or pick up a new one.

Modelled on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages and HSK proficiency levels, this course allows you to follow the progressional ladder on an internationally recognized scale, ensuring you become a multi-lingual graduate.

Progress and specialise
Alongside your language skills and cultural knowledge, you will develop a strong set of professional skills and expertise, preparing you to specialise in your chosen field in your final year. You will acquire enhanced skills in analysis and decision-making, the ability to exchange and articulate ideas, teamwork, and problem-solving, all of which will aid you in your final year and beyond.

Your Global Engagement Year
Spending up to a year abroad is an integral and assessed part of our language degrees.

Through studying overseas, engaging globally gives you the opportunity to improve your language proficiency, broaden your cultural knowledge and gain transferable skills that are much valued by employers.

The Global Engagement Year is compulsory for students taking Chinese, French, German, or Spanish. Please note that there is no placement year for Italian.

Important Information
For the most up-to-date course information and more details, we recommend that you revisit our website before submitting your application.