Languages and Global Cultures Lancaster University

Unlock opportunities, think globally, and embrace your passion for languages. You’ll graduate with expertise in two or more languages, in-depth cultural knowledge and practical experience. These are powerful assets in our complex multilingual world. Combined with the strong collaboration, communication and leadership skills you’ll develop on this course, you’re sure to stand out to employers on the world stage.

Choose up to four languages. From French, German and Spanish at all levels, and Chinese and Italian at beginners/intermediate level.

Why Lancaster?

• Study up to four languages from beginners/intermediate or advanced levels through a combination of flexible pathways, helping you become a multi-lingual graduate

• Engage in an interactive, collaborative approach to learning supported by our world-leading academic experts

• Benefit from an internationally recognised qualification framework, helping you develop the skills and confidence to work as a language and cultures specialist, either in the UK or abroad

• Study languages alongside important global affairs issues such as environmental challenges and climate change, politics, health and human rights

• Embrace the opportunity to live, study or work abroad during your degree, giving you the chance to immerse yourself in your chosen country or countries

Choose your Language. Choose your Level

Studying Languages and Global Cultures at Lancaster gives you the flexibility to choose up to four languages at various levels. You can choose to study French, German and Spanish at all levels and Chinese and Italian at beginners/intermediate level.

Modelled on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages and HSK proficiency levels, this course allows you to follow a progressional ladder on an internationally recognised scale, ensuring you become a multi-lingual graduate in at least two languages.

A global and future-orientated approach

This programme offers an innovative, flexible and global approach to modern languages and cultures. You will explore the past, present, and future of global cultures, analysing major global issues and activating your languages and cultural knowledge to shape responses to these challenges.

Alongside language development, you will study topics such as 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 opportunities of emerging technologies and the evolving career opportunities for language specialists.

Preparing for your career

With a strong focus on skills and employability, this programme will ensure you acquire transferable multilingual skills and attributes that are attractive to employers. As a multilingual graduate you will gain enhanced cognitive abilities, improved memory skills and develop your capacity for decision-making.

Speaking different languages also allows for the exchange of ideas, increases empathy, and allows access to different perspectives, attributes that are highly desirable to employers.

Many of these attributes will aid you in developing skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, negotiation, and research analysis, all of which are desirable to international companies and organisations.

In year three you will put these skills into practice by spending a minimum of three months abroad, working, teaching or studying in your chosen country. Alternatively, you can opt to work for an overseas company in the UK.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

ABB. This should include grade B in either French, German or Spanish, or GCSE grade 6/B in a foreign language.

Access to HE Diploma

Our typical entry requirement would be 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 15 Level 3 credits at Merit, but you would need to have appropriate evidence of language ability.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM accepted alongside appropriate evidence of language ability.

BTEC in combination with A levels

Our typical entry requirement would be A level grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade BB plus BTEC at D. This should include grade B in either French, German or Spanish, or GCSE grade 6/B in a foreign language.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects. This should include 6 in HL French, German or Spanish or appropriate evidence of language learning ability.

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Distinction overall accepted alongside appropriate evidence of language ability.

GCSE requirements

English Language grade 4/C. A GCSE grade 6/B in a relevant language may meet the subject requirement for this programme, if not studied to A level or equivalent.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.