Psychology and Languages Lancaster University

Psychology is the scientific study of how humans think and behave. By studying human behaviour, you develop an understanding of what it is to be human, and the ability to use your knowledge to support other people effectively. You can combine this study with a language and spend a year overseas honing your skills. Choose from French, German, Spanish or a Chinese language. This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) which is essential if you want to take on a career in professional psychology in the UK.

Learn about the main themes of psychology

• Brain and behaviour: how the biological functioning of our brain underlies our minds and behaviour

• Cognitive psychology: how we think, including perception, memory, attention and decision making

• Developmental psychology: how we develop throughout our lives and how growing up and ageing affect our experiences and behaviour

• Social psychology: how our thoughts, emotions and behaviours are influenced by others

• Individual differences: how our brains and our environments work together to create a wide diversity of people

What to expect

Our four-year BA Hons Psychology and Languages degree starts with a broad overview of the main themes where you will explore theories, evaluate scientific research, and learn to construct formal arguments. Alongside this you will develop practical skills to support research in psychology such as experimental design, data analysis and report writing. You’ll head over to the School of Global Affairs to begin your language classes.

Year 2 is about advancing your knowledge of the main study themes, towards the criteria required to become a BPS accredited psychologist. You will expand your knowledge of research methods and statistics which help us to explore how we investigate and study psychological questions. You will gain fluency in your oral and written language skills through specialised modules.

Jet off to your chosen destination to spend your third year immersed in the language and culture you are studying. You will continue to expand your psychology skills and knowledge too!

Returning to Lancaster for your final year enables you to continue to advance your language skills, as well as covering the final topics required for BPS accredited psychology. You will also complete your own independent research project.

Personal development

Through both independent and collaborative research opportunities, you will gain a variety of communication tools and learn how to design studies, analyse data, and present your findings through different means. These skills, alongside the language abilities you develop, will enable you to work in a range of environments and research settings.

We hope you find your time overseas personally enriching. Our students often tell us that they return feeling more confident, self-assured and with a broader perspective to take into job interviews.

3 things our Psychology students want you to know:

• The Psychology Employability Programme (PEP) is one of the best things about studying here. It really shows you how your studies link to the workplace and what your future might look like. It gives you a sense of feeling prepared for your next step. The Department also shares opportunities for broader development. The Belong, Engage and Employ (BEE) programme boosts other skills, knowledge and employability

• The University is home to the internationally-leading Infant and Child Development Lab, The Levy Lab, Virtual Reality Suite, Eye Tracking Labs and EEG Labs so you can gain hands-on research experience in state-of-the-art facilities. Studying psychology here gives you a continuous understanding of how your learning can be a driver for positive change in real-world environments

• We’re well supported by a group of lecturers who are world-leading researchers in their fields. Working within this close knit-community really boosts your learning

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

AAB. This should include grade B in either French, German or Spanish, or if this is to be studied from beginners' level, you should have AS grade B or A level grade B in another foreign language, or GCSE grade 7/A in a foreign language.

Access to HE Diploma

Our typical requirement would be 36 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 9 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

DDD 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 AB plus BTEC at D, but you would also need to meet the language requirement.

International Baccalaureate

35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including appropriate evidence of language 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, alongside appropriate evidence of language ability

GCSE requirements

Mathematics grade 5/B, English Language grade 4/C. A GCSE grade 7/A 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.