Lancaster’s joint French Studies and Computing is taught by the Department of Languages and Cultures in conjunction with the School of Computing and Communications. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017 ranks French Studies 2nd in the UK while the School of Computing received the highest award in its most recent Periodic Quality Review of teaching.
Your French Studies programme enables you to acquire high-level language skills while gaining a thorough understanding of the country’s historical, cultural, social and political background in a global context. In Computing, you’ll focus on developing professional skills, including extensive study of software and systems development.
Your first year comprises an exploration of the French language and its cultural context, as well as core modules in the fundamentals of computer science and software development. Alongside this, you will study a minor subject of your choice.
Building on your language skills in Year 2, you will study the culture, politics and history of the French-speaking world in more depth, as well as selecting modules which are international in scope and promote a comparative understanding of Europe and beyond. You will combine these with modules such as Databases, HCI, Networking and Software Design.
Spending your third year abroad in a French-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.
In your final year, you consolidate your French language skills, and study specialist culture and comparative modules, such as ‘Translation as a Cultural Practice’. You will also select Computing modules such as Internet Applications Engineering and Artificial Intelligence.
Entry Requirements
Grade Requirements
A Level AAB
Required Subjects A level French, 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 French speakers will not be accepted onto this scheme.
GCSE Mathematics grade B or 6, English Language grade C or 4
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 including appropriate evidence of language ability
BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction alongside 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.
Detailed module information for this undergraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.
Careers
Careers
As well as language and subject-related skills, a degree in languages develops rich interpersonal, intercultural, cognitive and transferable skills that can be utilised across a variety of careers such as accountancy, IT, business development, civil service, events management, finance, journalism, publishing, research and sales, as well as teaching and translating both in the UK and abroad. Combined with the technical and sought-after skills gained in Computer Science, graduates may go on to join major technology companies such as IBM, Google or BAE whilst others prefer software design, development and management roles within SMEs, or starting their own business.
For the last ten years, languages graduates from Lancaster have been in the top ten universities in the country in terms of their employment prospects. The Complete University Guide 2017 ranked French Studies 1st and Computer Science 2nd in the UK for graduate prospects.
Many graduates continue their studies at Lancaster, making the most of our excellent postgraduate research facilities. We offer Masters degrees in Translation, Languages and Cultures, Computer Science and Telecommunication as well as a range of PhD research degrees.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with 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/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Fees and Funding
Fees
We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2021/22 entry fees have not yet been set.
As a guide, our fees in 2020 were:
UK/EU
Overseas
£9,250
£20,625
Applicants from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
Some science and medicine courses have higher fees for students from the Channel Islands and the
Isle of Man. You can find more information about this on our
Island Fees page.
Funding
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
Students also need to consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation it may be necessary to take out subscriptions to professional bodies and to buy business attire for job interviews.
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.
3rd in the UK for graduate prospects (The Guardian University Guide 2020)
94%
of students said that they could access specialised equipment, facilities or rooms when they need to (National Student Survey 2019)
£12m
Over £12 million of research funding currently in the School (2019)
A place for Megan
I came on an Open Day and just wanted to get a general feel of the place and go to the department talks, and I liked the fact that it was more in the countryside, very green, very open. Then I came back on the Applicant Visit Day, and I had a proper tour of the campus, I had a proper look around the accommodation, and I decided that this was the place for me. It was more open, it was more in the countryside, and that’s what sort of background I come from. So it was definitely the place for me.
Having the variety of modules meant that I could get a wider understanding of the subject and figure out which bits I liked. This then helped me to make decisions when it came to my final year about which modules I wanted to take.
I remember in the first year there was a module that I loved because it was mathsy, and that's one of my strengths. They always take the first year as the opportunity to take everybody up to the same level and the teaching staff are so supporting, the lecturers will come to the labs to help you out, and there are extra teaching assistants in the labs to help.
The course has given me an idea of what I prefer to do. At the moment I'm thinking more about Human-Computer Interaction, but I'm still not 100% certain. But I know I get to pick modules next year and for my final year, and so hopefully that will help me to decide as well.
Megan Borland, BSc Computer Science
Your Global Experience
Did you know that we offer a Study Abroad variation of our Computer Science programme? You could spend a year at one of our partner institutions across the globe. The curriculum is identical to ours at Lancaster so that you won't miss anything. Best of all, it gives real credits which mean your course isn't any longer! You'll be motivated by topics that become deeper and more complex while gaining experience in a different culture and broadening your professional network.
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries to prospective undergraduate students. Academic Scholarships are for students with a strong performance in their A levels, or equivalent qualification. Access Scholarships and Bursaries are for students from households with lower than average incomes.
The information on this site relates primarily to 2021/22 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 the event of a course being withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date information before you submit your application. Further legal information.
The amount of time you spend in lectures, seminars and similar will differ from year to year. Taken as an average over all years of the course, you will spend an average of 8.8 hours per week in lectures, seminars and similar during term time.
A broad range of assessments methods will be used throughout the degree. As a guide, 71% of assessment is by coursework over the duration of the course.
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.
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