Psychology and Chinese Studies

BA Hons

  • UCAS code C8T1
  • Entry year 2024 or 2025
  • A level requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 4 years

Overview

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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: The School of Global Affairs 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, 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 and practice your language skills in a real-world context. 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 some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

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. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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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 2024/25 are:

Home International
£9,250 £26,213

Fees and funding information

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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.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 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.

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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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