At our Open Day events, we offer you the opportunity to meet and hear from our student ambassadors. Two ambassadors discuss their experiences of making that choice and studying in the Department of Languages and Cultures.

Eloise is a final-year student studying BA French and Spanish. She spent her International Placement Year (IPY) as an International Recruitment Assistant at the Ferrandi school of culinary arts and hospitality management in Paris, France, and as an International Relations Assistant at Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Spain. She also spent 2 months in Madrid at the EUREKA School of Spanish.

Ben successfully graduated in 2022 in BA Spanish and English Literature. He spent his IPY in Spain as a British Council English Language Assistant at a primary and secondary school in Torredelcampo, Andalucía.

How did you make your UCAS choice?​

Ben: I made my choice by doing two things: looking at league tables and attending open days. It was important to me to feel at home when I visited a university, and Lancaster was the only place where I got that feeling. My best advice to any prospective student is to choose a university based on where you feel at home, rather than focusing on league tables ... you'll be much happier for it!

Eloise: I chose Lancaster because of its welcoming environment: the homely campus, the departmental talks, the chance to speak with ambassadors. The course in particular stood out, being one of the few universities that offer the ability to study French ab initio alongside the mix of modern and traditional style modules and assessments. The option to tailor your degree meant that I could take a placement module in Year 2 and use my languages in a professional setting. Equally, for certain modules, I was able to choose my assessment method, which allowed me to complete a Creative Project. It's a great university for bringing traditional subjects into a modern world through real life experiences and employment connections.

What things do you wish you had known before making your choice?

Ben: I really wish I had taken the time to understand the three-subject Part 1. Having completed it, I can see how useful it has been for my studies. Even though I didn't continue with the extra subject after the first year, it has given me a wider breadth of understanding that has informed essays I've written throughout the remainder of my degree.

Eloise: With the three-subject program in Year 1, there is a lot of flexibility with the courses, so if you find that you are excelling more in a certain program, you can usually adjust your degree and specialise after first year in your strongest combination of subjects, even if it wasn't the degree you originally applied for. Don't be afraid to try something completely new -- you might surprise yourself and end up loving it! I took modules through the Management School and discovered that it's something I want to pursue after graduating.

Why DeLC at Lancaster?

Eloise: DeLC has connections with many departments throughout the university. This means that you will be mixing with students who not only study languages, but a wide variety of subjects too. It's is a very friendly environment and holds many weekly events for students to socialise and practice languages in an informal way.

Ben: You'll feel part of a community. I know it sounds cliché, but I really do mean it. The approachable nature of the staff really makes for an environment in which you know you can ask for help if you need it. I've lost count of the times I've knocked on a tutor's door and asked for help ... the great thing is that they're delighted to see you each time!

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Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by our bloggers and those providing comments are personal, and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lancaster University. Responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information contained within blog posts belongs to the blogger.