German Studies with Italian BA (Hons)

German Studies with Italian is taught by the Department of Languages and Cultures. Our approach gives you the opportunity to acquire high-level language skills and gain a thorough understanding of German cultures and societies within a global context. The programme also offers an introduction to Italian culture and society presented in the first year and gives the opportunity to develop this knowledge in the second and third year. German Studies at Lancaster is ranked 1st in the UK according to the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

Your first year comprises an exploration of the German language and its cultural context. Alongside this, you will study an intensive Italian language and culture module, designed for beginners with little or no prior knowledge. You will also take a minor subject of your choice.

In Year 2, you will study Germany’s culture, politics and history in more depth, as well as selecting courses which are international in scope and promote a comparative understanding of Europe and beyond. In the core Italian modules, you will have the chance to improve your linguistic proficiency in a range of settings and study Italian lexis, grammar and syntax.

Spending your third year abroad in a German-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.

We strongly recommend spending some of your vacation time in Italy too in order to gain first-hand experience of the Italian language and its culture.

In your fourth year, you will continue developing your German and Italian language alongside a choice of specialist culture and comparative courses, such as ‘Translation as a Cultural Practice’. You will also develop a particular topic from your second year studies into your specialist dissertation.

Careers

As well as language and subject related skills, a degree in languages can help you to develop rich interpersonal, intercultural, cognitive and transferable skills that can be utilised across a variety of careers. Our graduates have found work in a wide variety of areas 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.

We are ranked joint 1st in the UK for Modern Languages and Linguistics according to the Guardian University Guide 2020.

Many graduates continue their studies at Lancaster, making the most of our postgraduate research facilities. We offer Masters degrees in Translation and Languages and Cultures, which can lead on to a variety of careers including translation, and teaching.