Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Lancaster University

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A dynamic and creative community of enquiry, learning and engagement.

Discover the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University

Executive Dean Professor Edward Simpson welcomes you.

News

Two boards displaying more than 400 pieces of artwork from 43 countries

Artwork by mail - a truly international exhibition

The fruits of a truly international ‘call for artwork by mail’ – an art genre which evolved in the 1960s - will open this week at Lancaster University when more than 400 artworks from 43 different countries will be on show.
Image shows Bella Lack on the left with an insect on her finger and her new brightly coloured book cover on the right

University welcomes environmental campaigner Bella Lack

Conservationist and environmental campaigner Bella Lack presents the 2025 Lancaster Environment Lecture, co-ordinated by the School of Global Affairs, on campus at Lancaster University this week.
Mr Eusebio (left) and Professor Simpson sign the agreement - in the background the instituto Cervantes banner with logo and a bookcase

New partnership enables key language link with Spanish government

A new partnership will enable Lancaster University’s new School of Global Affairs to offer a Spanish Government seal of approval to students, staff and members of the public, who officially master the Spanish language.
People sitting on the steps in LU HIC smiling and laughing

Students and alumni champion ‘Transparency’ theme at Northern Design Festival

Alumni and students at Lancaster University are a key part in the organisation of this year’s Northern Design Festival which sports a bold new theme: Transparency’ in the creative industry.
The montage shows a handful of the pamphlets from the Patten Collection: ‘How to Keep Well in Wartime’, ‘Our Wonderful Women’ and ‘Here Comes The Milk’.

Student’s surprise finding links to University Library’s VE Day exhibition

A Lancaster University student, keen to find out about a special collection held by the University’s Library, got a big surprise when it turned out the memorabilia had been amassed by his grandfather.
Working closely with police forces, the P-ACEs will drive collaboration among academia and policing

Lancaster to become Policing Academic Centre of Excellence

The National Police Chiefs’ Council ​(NPCC) in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has chosen Lancaster University as one of nine Policing Academic Centres of Excellence (P-ACEs) sharing a total of £4.5 million. 

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School of Global Affairs

The Lancaster School of Global Affairs launches in September 2024. The former Department of Languages and Cultures is the primary constituent of the new School, which takes a distinctive place-based approach to the major planetary challenges of our times.

Global Affairs
Group side silhouette men and women of different culture

The reputation and influence of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences extends across the world. We are placed in the top 100 in the world for Education, Arts and Humanities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. We are considered one of the top three universities in the world for Linguistics by the QS World subject rankings 2025, with several other subjects placed in the world top 100.

Many of our subject areas feature in the top ten of UK university league tables, and we have an excellent track record for graduate prospects.

Reputation and Rankings
Staff brainstorming using a glass panel and marker pens

'Remarkable results' for Faculty of Arts and Social Science in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021)

Two departments in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University achieved the highest possible score for impact in the Research Excellence Framework results published on 12 May 2022. The Department of Educational Research and the Department of Linguistics and English Language are both rated ‘outstanding’ for 100% of their research impact and both are rated joint top in the UK for impact. Read more about the notable successes in our other departments.

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Areas of Focus

Our diverse and vibrant Faculty has research strengths across the arts, humanities and social sciences. We hold true to the University’s mission to be a pioneer in challenging established thinking and championing new ideas.

  • Lancaster Arts

    Lancaster Arts has a long-established artistic reputation for the creation, development and presentation of cutting edge contemporary arts.

  • The Ruskin Library, Museum and Research Centre

    Home to the leading collection of the works of John Ruskin (1819-1900), the epoch-defining writer, artist and social thinker.

  • Confucius Institute

    Supporting language learning and enterprise in the North West region and awarded Confucius Institute of the Year 2019.

  • Centre for Child and Family Justice Research

    The Centre’s mission is to progress cutting-edge research to improve the lives of children, young people and families

  • ImaginationLancaster

    Our research centre works with a variety of organisations to provide design-led perspectives on real-world issues and facilitate innovation.

  • School of Architecture

    We are exploring the future of architectural practice through work on issues of global importance, with a focus on ethical and sustainable solutions.

Events

On
Now

Webinar: Study corpus linguistics at Lancaster

Friday 11 April 2025, 10:00am to Wednesday 11 June 2025, 11:00am
24th May

The Second World War and the North West

Saturday 24 May 2025, 9:00am to 4:15pm
24th May

CounterText at The Castle - with Errant

Saturday 24 May 2025, 10:00am to 1:00pm
27th May

PhD in E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning Applicant Webinar

Tuesday 27 May 2025, 5:00pm to 6:00pm
29th May

PhD in Higher Education: Research, Evaluation and Enhancement Applicant Webinar

Thursday 29 May 2025, 4:00pm to 5:00pm

More Events