BSc Language, Culture and Society

Taught jointly by the Department of Sociology and the Language Centre, this BSc Language, Culture and Society allows you to study sociology and become fluent in either French, German, Mandarin, Russian or Spanish.

You’ll examine how societies work and examine the role of language in our culture and society. You’ll also choose language, linguistics and literature courses from the Language Centre. The programme includes a year abroad (in the third year) at one of five partner institutions. During the year abroad, you’ll study courses in your chosen language and also audit sociology classes at your host university. Opportunities for short internships may also be available.

This degree will equip you with the necessary skills for many different careers in government, the corporate sector, research and advisory organisations, and social care.

Previous language study is very useful but not essential – you can start as a complete beginner or pick up your learning post-GCSE or A-level.

If you wish to gain further insight into the subject we suggest that you look at one or more of the following books:

• D Crystal How Language Works (Penguin, 2005)
• S Pinker The Language Instinct (Penguin, 1994)
• G Yule The Study of Language (Cambridge University Press, 4th ed, 2010)

As this is a joint degree programme you should also refer to the preliminary reading for the BSc Sociology.

You’ll spend your third year studying abroad at a partner institution in one of five countries, depending on your chosen language.

Our partner institutions are Universidad de Valladolid, Freie Universität Berlin, Liden & Denz Intercultural Institute of Languages/Tallinn University, Sciences Po and Fudan University.

During this year abroad, you’ll:

• study your chosen language and audit sociology courses at your host institution
• attend specialist lectures on local cultural or historical contexts
• complete data collection for a research project on socio-cultural issues in the target language society.

In your fourth year, you'll return to LSE to complete your degree.

The Language Centre has a close-knit, friendly community. Students often describe the Language Centre as like "one big family" and "a second home". We organise regular social and cultural events throughout the year – giving you the chance to get to know fellow students and staff better and deepen your understanding of your chosen language.

The Language Centre teaches two-degree programmes jointly with other departments – the BSc International Relations and Chinese and the BSc Language, Culture and Society. Our students take part in overseas study trips, drawing on our links with partner institutions in five different countries.

From undergraduate study through to learning a new language, the Language Centre offers a wide range of opportunities for all LSE students.

We welcome around 2,000 students each year and teach nine languages. Our students don’t just learn the language – they also learn about the broader social and cultural aspects of their chosen language.

LSE students can:

• study language, linguistics, and literature as part of their degree programme.
• study modern languages in addition to their degree studies.
• learn English for Academic Purposes (EAP) to support their academic study.

Learn more about our undergraduate programmes, non-degree courses and English for Academic Purposes courses.

Language Centre

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• an interest in relationships between people and society
• social awareness
• intellectual curiosity
• inquisitive thinking and the ability to ask incisive questions
• a willingness to read widely
• great communication skills (oral and written)
• an ability to work independently
• a creative and flexible mindset for academic study
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard.

This is the 2025/26 tuition fee. The Home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

Study abroad

The Home undergraduate fee for your study year abroad in Year 3 is set by the UK Office for Students at a maximum of approximately 15 per cent of the full-time fee in the year the student starts their programme. The fee for 2025 entry is £1,430. This fee applies regardless of the year within the programme that the year abroad is taken. During this year abroad, you’ll also be expected to pay for your flights, accommodation and subsistence.

Funding to help with costs during your study abroad year

The Fred Halliday Language Award is a fund available to students undertaking study abroad as part of their degree programme.

This is the 2025/26 tuition fee for international students. The overseas tuition fee will remain at the same amount for each subsequent year of your full-time study regardless of the length of your programme. This information applies to new overseas undergraduate entrants starting their studies from 2025/26 onwards.

Study abroad

The fee for for the year abroad in Year 3 for 2025/26 is £4,125. This fee is currently under review and will be set in Summer 2025. During this year abroad, you’ll also be expected to pay for your flights, accommodation and subsistence.

Funding to help with costs during your study abroad year

The Fred Halliday Language Award is a fund available to students undertaking study abroad as part of their degree programme.

Formative coursework

Our language courses include continuous assessment to aid learning. All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. We use a wide range of formative assessment methods, such as essays, case studies, reports, quizzes and mock exams.

Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the learning experience at the School.

Class teachers mark formative coursework and feedback is normally given within two weeks – provided the work is submitted on time.

Summative assessment

This counts towards your final course mark and degree award.

Summative assessment takes a variety of forms. In the first and second years, there are exams at the end of the year for most courses. In the third year, courses are assessed in a variety of ways – through end-of-year exams, assessed coursework and, in some cases, a combination of the two.

You’ll receive feedback on any summative coursework as part of the assessment for individual courses (except for final submitted dissertations). Feedback will normally be provided before the examination period.

Assessment on individual courses can change from year to year. Read more about the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course in the relevant course guide.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods.

The degree programme will prepare you for a career in government, corporate organisations, research and advisory organisations and social care, as well as further study.

Further information on graduate destinations

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.