BA Languages and Global Cultures

A global and future-oriented approach

We bring a fresh, 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 choose to take one discovery language in year one and then progress in that through some or all of your programme.

You can study up to three different discovery languages during your degree.

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 informs 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 languages, and new careers that are emerging 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
  • Italian
  • 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:

  • Arabic (beginner’s level only)
  • 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 three different levels: beginners, intermediate or advanced.

Tab Content: Beginners

Beginning Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish.

Suitable for complete beginners.

Take your chosen language level from beginners' level to GCSE standard over 2 semesters, reaching A2 level on the CEFR scale for the Arabic and the European Languages, and HSK 2/3 for Chinese. By the end of the year, you’ll be able to engage with basic 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 theme: discovering and locating.

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: Intermediate

Progressing in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish.

Suitable for students with a GCSE, International Baccalaureate ‘standard’ level or equivalent.

Progress your language on this year-long module reaching a good B1 level on the CEFR scale or HSK 3/4 for Chinese. By the end of the year, you’ll understand and produce texts on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. You will be able to deal with situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.

Throughout the module you will be exposed to a wide range of authentic materials in the target language. You will broaden and deepen your understanding of different aspects of modern and contemporary society, politics and culture under the umbrella theme of power and resistance. In semester 1 you will focus on people and power (governance, democracy and revolution) and in semester 2 on centres, peripheries, and mobilities with a translation focus on cultural translation.

Tab Content: Advanced

Becoming Independent in Chinese, French, German, Italian, 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 and HSK 4/5 for Chinese. 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 acting supportively in 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 umbrella theme of these modules is imagining alternatives. In semester 1 you will focus on themes of social justice, equality and activism and in semester 2 on alternatives with a focus on postcolonial translation.

Languages and cultures in context

In each year of your degree, core modules 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

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Year two

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Year three

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Year four

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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

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.