Psychology and Chinese Studies

BA Hons

  • UCAS Code C8T1
  • Entry Year 2023 or 2024
  • A Level Requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 4 Years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 3

    3rd for French, German, Spanish, Italian

    The Complete University Guide (2023)

  • Study or work overseas during your international placement year

  • Our Psychology Employability Programme (PEP) works with organisations to provide voluntary work experience to enhance your skills

This course combines the scientific study of how humans think and behave with a working knowledge of Chinese language and culture and a fantastic experience overseas, which will prepare you for a rewarding career in the UK and abroad.

Through this programme, you will develop a detailed understanding of psychology, while gaining the skills and knowledge to engage with the discipline in preparation for an International Placement Year overseas in a Chinese-speaking country. During four years, you will be able to draw on expertise from two specialist departments: Languages and Cultures and Psychology.

In your first year, you will gain an in-depth overview of the main study themes through our introductory modules and will explore the theories underpinning these areas, learn to evaluate scientific journals, and develop your ability to construct formal arguments. In addition, you will take either beginner or advanced Chinese language classes, taught by native speakers, and will explore the Chinese language in its cultural context.

During the second year of your degree, you will develop the key themes introduced in your first year. You will build a solid background knowledge in cognitive, social, and developmental psychology, deepening your understanding and testing your knowledge. You will also benefit from specialist Chinese modules, which will develop your foreign language oral and written communication skills further.

Spending your third year - the International Placement Year - abroad in a Chinese-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. Our staff will work with you to ensure that you are fully prepared before embarking on your placement in a Chinese-speaking country.

Returning to Lancaster for your fourth year, you will further develop your knowledge and understanding of the neural underpinnings of psychological processes. You will also carry out your own research project in psychology, under the supervision of an experienced researcher. The core language modules available this year will enable you to continue to develop your language skills and you can study specialist culture and comparative modules.

Beginners Languages

Studying a language from beginners level is somewhat intense in nature so we only allow students to study one language from beginners level. Please bear this in mind when looking at our first year module options. If you apply to study a degree with a language from beginners level, your optional modules will only include higher level languages and modules in other subject areas.

Careers

This degree will equip you with both specialist and transferable skills that are valued by all employers, such as communication, critical thinking, numeracy and self-management. From research analysts to retail managers, a good grasp of human behavioural patterns and the science of the mind make psychology graduates attractive to a wide range of employers. As well as language and subject-related skills, a degree with a languages component develops rich interpersonal, intercultural, cognitive and transferable skills that can be utilised across a variety of careers. Some psychology graduates go on to become chartered psychologists, specialising in clinical, educational, occupational, forensic, health or sports psychology. There are also new and emerging areas such as neuropsychology, environmental psychology, consumer psychology and animal psychology. It is a fiercely competitive field, which needs a strong academic background, lots of relevant work experience, determination and resilience.

Additionally, should you wish to pursue a career abroad, our degree will have prepared you with an exceptional ability in the Chinese language and you will also have gained a rigorous understanding of life overseas.


Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the 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 awareness, career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry Requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level AAB

Required Subjects A level Chinese, 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 Mandarin speakers will not be accepted onto this scheme.

GCSE Mathematics grade B or 6 (Applicants with a GCSE Maths C or 5 considered on a case-by-case basis)

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 and appropriate evidence of language ability

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction and appropriate 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

Course Structure

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 to complement your main specialism. 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 please visit our Teaching and Learning section.

The following courses do not offer modules outside of the subject area due to the structured nature of the programmes: Architecture, Law, Physics, Engineering, Medicine, Sports and Exercise Science, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedicine and Biomedical Science.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research.

Core

Core

Core

Core

Optional

Fees and Funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2023/24 are:

UK International
£9,250 £24,265

Scholarships and Bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Download the course booklet to find out more about Lancaster University, how we teach Languages and Cultures and what you'll study as a Languages and Cultures student.

Languages and Cultures subject guide
  • Degree structure

    Lancaster has a flexible approach to undergraduate study. Many degree schemes incorporate a minor in other subjects to complement your major subject.

  • International placement year

    Spending a year abroad is an integral and assessed part of our language degrees. We offer flexibility to split your time abroad between different activities.

Hello future careers event

Careers and Employability

When you arrive in Lancaster, you might not have a plan for after you graduate, but when you're ready to take the next step, we're here to help you. Studying a language strengthens your written and oral communication competence, your organisational skills, your aptitude in analysing and synthesising information, your ability to contribute to discussions and suggest ideas, and your understanding of other countries and cultures in a global world.

Careers and employability
Ju Ribeiro

A choice for Ju

Like many other students, I wasn't sure of what to pursue at university. I was split between two areas: Biology and Psychology. I have always enjoyed Biology throughout my school years, but I decided to take Psychology in my final year at school and loved it just as much. So, I chose to study both at Lancaster University.

Although this combined degree might seem a bit unusual to many people, it could not make more sense to me. The BSc in Biology with Psychology has allowed me to learn so much about the human brain through two incredibly different yet complementary perspectives. Each module in Biology has helped me understand those in Psychology and vice-versa. It is a great fit for those interested in neuroscience, as it has a specific focus on the functioning of the brain and the consequences of when something goes wrong. Although working in two distinct departments can be a challenge sometimes, it is also a great opportunity to meet people with a wide variety of interests.

Taking this degree has allowed me to better understand what I want to pursue in the future and, more importantly, what to do to get there.

Ju Ribeiro, BSc Biology with Psychology

Our Facilities

Lancaster University's Psychology Department hosts a wide range of labs dedicated to the cutting-edge of psychological research. As an undergraduate student, you may get the opportunity to work alongside some of our researchers in these labs as a part of your third year project, or within a PEP placement.

Undergraduate open days 2023

Our summer open days give you Lancaster University in a day. Visit campus and put yourself in the picture.

Undergraduate Open Days
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A tour of the Campus

Join Meenal and Vlad as they take you on a tour of the Lancaster University campus. Discover the learning facilities, accommodation, sports facilities, welfare, cafes, bars, parkland and more.

Undergraduate Open Days

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.