BA Languages and Global Cultures degree structure

A global and future-oriented approach

We bring an innovative, flexible and global approach to teaching languages and the cultural elements that surround them. The unique structure of our degrees enables you to explore several languages and share your learning journey with an evolving network of classmates.

You will study one 'core' language throughout the duration of your degree. Alongside this, you can explore other ‘discovery’ languages.

You can study up to three different discovery languages during your degree. Alternatively, except for Italian, you can turn your discovery language into a second core language.

You'll gain a broad set of modern language skills and share your learning journey with an evolving network of classmates. Language learning with us means you’ll be mixing with students across all years of study, offering friendship, networking, and peer-learning opportunities.

You'll also reinforce your language learning through the lens of cultural studies and exploration:

  • Explore the pasts, presents and futures of languages and the cultures of the countries in which those languages are spoken
  • Analyse major global affairs issues, examining how knowledge and understanding of languages and cultures inform our responses to global challenges such as global environmental emergencies, the global health crises, human rights and community engagement
  • Learn how these topics relate to issues of race, gender, sexuality, disability, or belief in the contexts of different language communities across the world
  • Discover the future of global languages, the impact of new technologies on how we communicate and learn a language, and emerging careers for language specialists

Your core language

Core languages refer to the lead language you wish to study. You can choose one of the following core languages:

  • Chinese
  • French
  • German
  • Spanish

Your discovery languages

Discovery languages are options you can choose to study as part of your degree. Alongside your core language, you can choose to study:

  • Chinese
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Spanish

There are several flexible ways you can engage with discovery languages.

You might choose to take one discovery language in year one and progress in that right through to your final year. Or, you might choose to study a new discovery language in each year of study. You can take up to three different discovery languages during your degree.

Language levels

You can start your language learning at Lancaster University at two different levels: beginners/intermediate or advanced.

As you continue your degree you can take your language learning to a high level of proficiency with our more advanced language modules.

Tab Content: Beginners/Intermediate

Beginning Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish.

Suitable for complete beginners up to GCSE.

Take your chosen language from beginners level and, over 2 semesters reach a high A2 level on the CEFR scale for European Languages, and HSK 2/3 for Chinese. By the end of the year, you’ll be able to engage with everyday life situations such as describing your environment, express preferences and discuss past events or future plans in simple terms.

In seminars you will cover a range of oral, aural, written, and reading skills in an integrated way that embraces techniques of linguistic mediation and the plurilingual contexts of each language. The study of the cultural, social and historical context is embedded in the language learning, under the umbrella themes: Discovering Languages and Cultures and Locating the Global.

In semester 1 you will focus on linguistic discovery, invention and growth and in semester 2 on locating language-specific place, landscape, community. You will also be introduced to key translation techniques.

Tab Content: Advanced

Becoming Independent in French, German, Spanish.

Suitable for students with an A level, International Baccalaureate ‘higher’ level or equivalent.

In this year-long module you will progress to B1/B2 on the CEFR scale. By the end of the year, you’ll be able to understand the main ideas of fairly complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in fields of specialisation. You will be able to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity with native speakers, including facilitating intercultural encounters.

You will be exposed to a wide range of authentic materials in the target language, varying in terms of content, format and register aimed at broadening and deepening your understanding of different aspects of modern society, politics and culture, global issues and institutions.

The study of the cultural, social and historical context is embedded in your language learning within overarching themes. In semester 1, you will focus on issues relating to people, power and places, while in semester 2 you will focus on centres, peripheries and mobilities.

Languages and cultures in context

In each year of your degree, your language learning is complemented by core modules that focus on different aspects of languages in the world. You will explore the past, present, and future of global cultures, analysing major global issues and how language and cultural knowledge shape responses to these challenges.

Topics could include the climate emergency, global health crises, human rights, and community engagement. You will learn how these topics intersect with issues of race, gender, sexuality, disability, and belief across diverse language communities around the world.

Your language learning will be enriched by cultural studies, covering film, visual media, literature, art, and history, providing a comprehensive understanding of the societal contexts of your chosen languages.

Additionally, you will investigate the future of global languages, the role of emerging technologies, and the evolving career opportunities for language specialists.

Year one

Year one accordion

Year two

accordion

Year three

Year three accordion

Year four

Year four accordion

Optional module: Discovery Placement

Combine a placement with learning important personal, social and work-based skills. You’ll spend part of your time at your placement organisation and part in workshops. Here you will participate in and reflect on models of learning; self-assessment of learning styles; your own skills and your own attributes and preferences, including an exploration of linguistic and cross-cultural skills. You’ll also explore business and professional skills in practice such as self-management, communication skills in practice, problem solving and team working. If you are undertaking a school placement, you will be trained in safeguarding and protection.

Your placement may be arranged so that you complete this over the period of the course or you can arrange a block placement over a two-week period during the vacation. You will receive some preparation for the placement before the module begins. Examples of placements may include:

  • Local school
  • School abroad
  • Translation company
  • Research project
  • Charity/NGO
  • Small or medium enterprise needing internationalization support

Optional modules: Discover humanities, arts and social sciences

Each year you will join with students across the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences to take one Discovery module alongside your core subject modules.

Humanities, arts and social sciences offer important and innovative perspectives on the topics and debates that are shaping our futures. Discovery modules are designed to empower you to develop your individual voice and skills, while also giving you experience of how bringing our unique voices together can make a difference in the world.

Lancaster is a global university and our programmes are designed to develop academic and professional excellence as well as global citizenship. These attributes are embedded within teaching and learning throughout your degree. In the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (FHASS), part of this development takes place in our unique Discovery modules.

In year one, there is one core Discovery module, in years two and four you can choose from a selection of optional Discovery modules.

Discovery modules

Global engagement year

You’ll spend year three of your degree abroad on a global engagement year. The destination will be a country where your core language is spoken. There’s also the option to split your time abroad between two destinations.

On your global engagement year, you'll have the option to study abroad at one of our partner universities or carry out a work placement. We have a strong relationship with the British Council to coordinate opportunities for you, or you can pursue an organisation which relates to your interests. 

Global Engagement Year

Proficiency test centre

We are an official language proficiency test centre for Chinese, French and Spanish. This means you could prepare for and take proficiency tests in other languages outside your studies. You could potentially gain additional, internationally recognised qualifications in this way.