What Will You Study
Lancaster’s joint French Studies and Mathematics degree is taught by the Department of Languages and Cultures in conjunction with the Mathematics and Statistics Department. The Times Good University Guide 2017 ranked French Studies 2nd and Mathematics 9th in the UK.
Your French Studies programme gives you the opportunity to acquire high-level language skills while gaining a thorough understanding of the country’s historical, cultural, social and political background in a global context. In Maths, you’ll study in-depth mathematical theory and practice and have the option to specialise in pure mathematics or statistics.
Your first year comprises an exploration of the French language and its cultural context, core modules in calculus and probability, and selected modules in topics such as ‘Linear Algebra’ and ‘Discrete Mathematics’. Alongside these, you will study a minor subject of your choice.
Building on your language skills in Year 2, you will study the culture, politics and history of the French-speaking world in more depth, as well as selecting modules which are international in scope and promote a comparative understanding of Europe and beyond. You will combine these with Mathematics modules such as ‘Groups and Rings’ and ‘Real Analysis’.
Spending your third year abroad in a French-speaking country makes a major contribution to your command of the language, while deepening your intercultural sensitivity. You can study at a partner institution or conduct a work placement.
In your final year, you consolidate your French language skills, and study specialist culture and comparative modules, such as ‘Translation as a Cultural Practice’. You will also select Mathematics modules such as ‘Differential Equations’, ‘Combinatorics’, or ‘Geometry of Curves and Surfaces’.
Related Courses
- Accounting, Finance and Mathematics : BSc Hons
- Accounting, Finance and Mathematics (Industry) : BSc Hons
- Computer Science and Mathematics : BSc Hons
- Computer Science and Mathematics : MSci Hons
- Criminology and French Studies : BA Hons
- Economics and Mathematics : BSc Hons
- Economics and Mathematics (Industry) : BSc Hons
- English Language and French Studies : BA Hons
- English Language and German Studies : BA Hons
- English Language and Spanish Studies : BA Hons
- English Language with Chinese : BA Hons
- Environmental Sustainability in Contemporary China : BA Hons
- Financial Mathematics : BSc Hons
- Financial Mathematics : MSci Hons
- Financial Mathematics (Industry) : BSc Hons
- French Studies : BA Hons
- French Studies and Computing : BSc Hons
- French Studies and English Literature : BA Hons
- French Studies and Film : BA Hons
- French Studies and Geography : BA Hons
- French Studies and German Studies : BA Hons
- French Studies and History : BA Hons
- French Studies and Linguistics : BA Hons
- French Studies and Philosophy : BA Hons
- French Studies and Politics : BA Hons
- French Studies and Psychology : BA Hons
- French Studies and Spanish Studies : BA Hons
- French Studies and Theatre : BA Hons
- French Studies with Chinese : BA Hons
- French Studies with Italian : BA Hons
- German Studies : BA Hons
- German Studies and Computing : BSc Hons
- German Studies and English Literature : BA Hons
- German Studies and Film : BA Hons
- German Studies and Geography : BA Hons
- German Studies and History : BA Hons
- German Studies and Linguistics : BA Hons
- German Studies and Mathematics : BA Hons
- German Studies and Philosophy : BA Hons
- German Studies and Politics : BA Hons
- German Studies and Psychology : BA Hons
- German Studies and Spanish Studies : BA Hons
- German Studies and Theatre : BA Hons
- German Studies with Chinese : BA Hons
- German Studies with Italian : BA Hons
- International Management in Contemporary China : BA Hons
- International Relations in Contemporary China : BA Hons
- Linguistics with Chinese : BA Hons
- Management and French Studies : BSc Hons
- Management and German Studies : BA Hons
- Management and Spanish Studies : BA Hons
- Mathematics : BSc Hons
- Mathematics : MSci Hons
- Mathematics (Placement Year) : BSc Hons
- Mathematics (Study Abroad) : MSci Hons
- Mathematics and Philosophy : BA Hons
- Mathematics with Statistics : BSc Hons
- Mathematics with Statistics : MSci Hons
- Mathematics with Statistics (Placement Year) : BSc Hons
- Mathematics with Statistics (Study Abroad) : MSci Hons
- Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics (MORSE) : BSc Hons
- Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics (MORSE) (Industry) : BSc Hons
- Modern Languages : BA Hons
- Modern Languages and Cultures : MLang Hons
- Philosophy with Chinese : BA Hons
- Politics with Chinese : BA Hons
- Religious Studies with Chinese : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Computing : BSc Hons
- Spanish Studies and English Literature : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Film : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Geography : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and History : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Linguistics : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Mathematics : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Philosophy : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Politics : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Psychology : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Theatre : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies with Chinese : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies with Italian : BA Hons
- Statistics : BSc Hons
- Statistics : MSci Hons
- Statistics (Placement Year) : BSc Hons
- Statistics (Study Abroad) : MSci Hons
- Theoretical Physics with Mathematics : BSc Hons
- Theoretical Physics with Mathematics : MSci Hons
- Theoretical Physics with Mathematics (Study Abroad) : MSci Hons
Modules
Many of Lancaster's degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to complement their main specialism. You will be able to study a range of modules, some examples of which are listed below.
Year 1
- Calculus
- Further Calculus
- Part I French Studies (Advanced/CEFR: B1)
- Part I French Studies (Beginners to CEFR: A2)
- Probability
- French Language: Oral Skills (CEFR: B2)
- French Language: Oral skills (post-Beginners/CEFR: B1))
- French Language: Written Skills (CEFR: B2)
- French Language: Written Skills (post-Beginners/CEFR: B1)
- Second Year Programme for Academic Skills, Year Abroad Preparation and Employability
- Shaping Contemporary France: Culture, Politics and the Legacy of History
- Abstract Algebra
- Complex Analysis
- Cross-cultural encounters in World Literatures
- Economic and Social Change in France, Germany and Spain since 1945
- Language and Identity in France, Germany and Spain
- Linear Algebra II
- Probability II
- Professional Contexts for Modern Languages
- Real Analysis
- Society on Screen: The Language of Film
- Statistics II
- Understanding culture
- Autocrats, Caudillos and Big Men: Understanding Dictatorship and its Cultural Representation in the 20th Century
- Combinatorics
- Contemporary Cities in Literature and Film
- Differential Equations
- Francophone Voices: Literature and Film from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and Canada
- French Culture in the Digital Age
- Full Unit Dissertation
- Geometry of Curves and Surfaces
- Groups and Symmetry
- Imagining Modern Europe: Post-Revolutionary Utopias and Ideologies in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century
- Love, religion and society in the 18th century French novel
- Mathematical Education
- Modernity of Forms and Forms of Modernity in French Literature 1850-2000
- Number Theory
- Rings Fields and Polynomials
- The Prosecution of 'Otherness' in Europe: Witchcraft, Heresy and Inquisition (14th -17th C)
- Translation as a Cultural Practice
- Writing in the margins: narrating cross-cultural experience
Core
Optional
Year 2
Core
Optional
Year 3
Core
Year 4
Core
Optional
Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and others which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into two sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). For most programmes Part 1 requires you to study 120 credits spread over at least three modules 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.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research.
Entry Criteria
Grade Requirements
A Level AAB including A level Mathematics or Further Mathematics grade A OR ABB including A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, at least one of which at grade A. See below for language requirements.
Required Subjects In addition to the Mathematics requirements above, A level French, or if this is to be studied from beginners’ level, AS grade B or A level grade B in another foreign language, or GCSE grade A or 7 in a foreign language. Native French speakers will not be accepted onto this scheme.
IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.
Other Qualifications
International Baccalaureate 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including 6 in Mathematics HL and appropriate evidence of language ability
BTEC May be accepted alongside A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, and evidence of language ability
We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.
Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Careers
As well as language and subject-related skills, a degree in languages develops rich interpersonal, intercultural, cognitive and transferable skills that can be utilised across a variety of careers such as accountancy, IT, business development, civil service, events management, finance, journalism, publishing, research and sales, as well as teaching and translating both in the UK and abroad.
Mathematics is a very versatile degree, developing logical thinking, analytical working and problem solving skills that are highly transferable and much sought after by employers. Recent graduates are pursuing career paths as actuaries, analysts, clinical and medical statisticians, software developers, accountants, and teachers.
For the last ten years, languages graduates from Lancaster have been in the top ten universities in the country in terms of their employment prospects. The Complete University Guide 2017 ranked French Studies 1st and Mathematics 7th in the UK for graduate prospects.
Many graduates continue their studies at Lancaster, making the most of our excellent postgraduate research facilities. We offer Masters degrees in Translation and Languages and Cultures, as well as in a variety of statistical and related fields.
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 delivery.
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 focused 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.
Fees
We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2018-19 entry fees have not yet been set.
As a guide, our fees in 2017-18 were:
UK/EU (2017-18) | Overseas (2017-18) |
---|---|
£9,250 | £17,285 |
Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
Some science and medicine courses have higher fees for students from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. You can find more details here: Island Students.
Funding
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
Students also need to consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation it may be necessary to take out subscriptions to professional bodies and to buy business attire for job interviews.