4-Term Pathway - International Foundation Year in Social Sciences and Humanities - Continue to Bachelor of Arts - French Studies and Geography

This program will prepare students for entry to Year 1 of an undergraduate degree in a wide range of subjects, including many based at the £10m LICA building. Popular subjects include law, film studies, sociology, linguistics and politics.

Study in outstanding facilities; explore beautiful surroundings; take part in international field trips and learn from world-renowned lecturers, while gaining a detailed, working understanding of French language, culture and society.

This exciting programme will allow students to gain a detailed understanding of geography, while giving them the skills and knowledge to engage with the discipline in preparation for a placement year overseas in a French speaking country. 

Situated between the idyllic rural settings of the north and the bustling cities of Liverpool and Manchester, Lancaster’s location enables students to explore some of the most unique areas of geographic interest in the UK. They will gain a wealth of hands-on experience with field trips to places such as the Yorkshire Dales, Cumbrian coast and Lake District, as well as international locations such as Croatia.

Students will develop a fundamental understanding of human geography in their first year Geography modules. These modules equip students with a well-rounded introduction to some of the key themes in geography, as well as providing them with the skills used by geographers to analyse problems in both the human and physical aspects of the discipline. In addition, students will take language classes, determined by their current level of ability. These are taught by native speakers and will ensure students have a solid grasp of the written and spoken language.

Specialisation begins in second year, enabling students to choose topics that match their particular interests. Core modules will focus on practical work, equipping you with a range of analytical and research skills. Students will also benefit from specialist French modules, which will develop their communication skills further and broaden their social, political and cultural understanding of France.

Additionally, students will also take a specialist module that will prepare them for their year abroad. This module will allow students to select what activities they will take part in, explain the British Council English Language Assistantship scheme, and introduce them to academia and work overseas. Students will also gain valuable employability skills as well as advice on welfare and wellbeing.

Students will spend the third year working or at one of the partner institutions in a French speaking country, where they will practise and develop their language abilities, while continuing to enhance geographical skills and knowledge. Students can spend this year either studying or working, both of which will provide them with the opportunity to analyse the social, cultural, political and economic issues related to the area, complementing both their French and geography studies.

Returning to Lancaster for the fourth year, students will undertake an extended essay, guided by their academic supervisor, which offers a chance to investigate, in depth, a topic of your choice related to both aspects of the joint degree. While completing the essay, students will use the key research, analytical and academic writing skills they have learnt throughout the degree.

Students will also be offered further optional module choices, which could include the study of Global Consumption, Urban Infrastructure in a Changing World, and the Geographies of Health, and there will be fieldwork opportunities in locations such as Croatia. In addition to their subject knowledge, students will gain communication and IT skills and will become familiar with data handling and environmental sampling and analysis. Throughout the degree, considerable weight is placed upon enhancing employability and such skills are greatly valued by potential employers.

Beginners Languages

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