Program Overview

An International Foundation Year at our International Study Centre prepares you for your degree at Lancaster University. You will focus on English language, university-level study skills, and academic modules that relate to your degree subject.

Supporting your progression to the University
At the International Study Centre, we take every measure to ensure you are supported in your academic journey. Our programmes allow for increased time spent learning, researching and developing your skills. By studying with us, you will benefit from:

• Formal assessments at the end of each term.
• An improved English language module, Academic English Skills, providing greater opportunity for informal assessments and feedback.
• Combining and reducing the number of module assessments allowing more time to prepare.
• A personal tutorial system with a focus on your academic progress at key points of the academic year, creating action plans based on your performance and progession options.

Social Studies
The International Foundation Year in Social Studies leads to a choice of undergraduate degrees in the Faculty of Arts and Social Studies and the Faculty of Science and Technology. To prepare for your degree, you will study core English language modules and subject modules. Degree options include Philosophy, Sociology, and Film.

You will learn about global issues and contemporary events, including business, culture, politics and environment. Other areas of study include advertising, social media, psychology, and theories that relate to media and modern society.

Criminology and Law
We’re number one in the UK for Criminology and the Law School is first in the UK for Graduate prospects. Just two of the great reasons to take a Criminology and Law degree at Lancaster University.

If you are interested in developing practical legal knowledge and an understanding of crime, criminology and criminal justice then this non-qualifying Law degree will appeal to you.

The programme is taught by the world-leading, research-active academics that are based in our prestigious Law School. They will introduce you to core topics in Criminology and Law and you will explore the connections between the two disciplines as you develop both specialist and transferable skills. The multi-disciplinary nature of the degree scheme will encourage you to recognise and reflect on the academic and professional links between Criminology and Law.

You will analyse the social, cultural, political and economic contexts of crime and criminal justice by looking at the social circumstances of offending, policies regulating crime, and the social response to criminal activity. The degree draws on the Department's expertise in criminal law, international human rights, organised crime, youth justice, cybercrime, policing, prisons and punishment, sex work, hate crime, drugs and substance abuse and gender-based violence. 

80% of the Law School’s research was rated as internationally excellent or world leading in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014). 

This degree scheme is distinct from our LLB Law with Criminology degree, as the focus of the degree is on Criminology, meaning you do not study all of the core law modules that are required for a qualifying law degree.

Your first year will introduce you to core criminological and legal concepts and perspectives, including criminal law, the English legal system and explanations for crime and offending behaviour. During your second year you will explore a broad range of criminological and legal perspectives, consider how to ‘do’ criminological research and be able to choose a range of optional modules which explore various criminological and legal controversies and issues. If you would like to take a global perspective on Law and Criminology, you may be able to apply for a semester abroad at one of our highly regarded partner institutions. By year three, you will have the choice to study specialist subjects in depth from our range of optional modules.