This three-year degree is provided by our renowned Department of Languages and Cultures and the highly-ranked Department of Linguistics and English Language.How does language work? Why do we develop accents? Your first year Linguistics module offers a fresh insight into the human mind. Alongside this you’ll learn Mandarin Chinese, spoken by 20% of the world’s population. Learning a language so radically different from English will show you how linguistics works in action. Our core Chinese module is designed to teach absolute beginners how to speak, listen and read this fascinating language. You’ll also study simplified writing characters and Chinese culture.In your second year you’ll study more advanced Chinese, such as the structure of the language and the intricate grammatical patterns. On the Linguistics side, you’ll find out about structures and sounds of world languages, from Inuit to the clicking languages of South Africa. Further modules include Discourse Analysis and Child Language Acquisition.Your final year gives you the chance to study a topic in-depth through writing your dissertation. Given the range of expertise within our department, our academics will be able to supervise most topics that fit your interests. There are also modules in Chinese Culture and Society, Cognitive Linguistics, Phonetic and Phonological Theory and others on offer.You will have the opportunity to spend Year 3 on placement with a public, private or voluntary organisation in the UK or overseas. This experience will boost your employment prospects and will help you to decide on your career direction and the kind of organisation in which you want to work once you graduate. You will be doing a real, responsible job – with all the satisfaction that brings. Our Placements Team will support you in finding and applying for a suitable placement that will support your professional development. Applying for a placement is a competitive process and the preparatory modules you will complete in years one and two are designed to give you the best chance of success in your placement applications. You will also be provided with dedicated workshops, 1:1 appointments with careers professionals as well as opportunities to speak with employers here on campus.During the placement year you will remain a Lancaster University student which means that you will still be eligible for a student loan, have access to facilities such as the library and receive discounts on transport and council tax. Your tuition fee will be reduced to 20% during the placement year. The placement will enhance your understanding of the connections between theory and practice and this will benefit your final year of study. This is an exciting opportunity to build up experience and transferable skills, as well as to make contacts with potential employers, which will place you a step ahead in the graduate recruitment market.We’ll assess your progress through coursework and exams in a caring, friendly atmosphere. You’ll have regular meetings with your academic advisors. The linguistic, communication and interpersonal skills you’ll acquire are highly prized by employers. The Linguistics element of your degree is of professional relevance in many areas, from education to business management, advertising to accountancy. The British Council, Civil and Diplomatic services, MI6, GCHQ, and other international agencies offer many interesting career paths for language graduates. Linguistic awareness is a real boost when working for international and multicultural companies and organisations, and we are confident our degree programme will set you up well for a career in these areas.