Year abroad
Students in Modern Languages have the option of undertaking a study or work placement abroad as part of their undergraduate degree.
Spending a semester or year on a work or study placement abroad allows you to develop your linguistic skills, intercultural competence, and self-confidence.
Placement types
The School offers three types of placement abroad:
Integrated year abroad
Most of the School’s undergraduate degrees can be taken as five-year programmes with an integrated year abroad. The integrated year abroad is completed between the second and third years. Students spend the integrated year on a work placement (study placements are also available in Chinese and Russian), with most students working as language tutors with an organisation such as the British Council.
It is students’ responsibility to find a work placement for their integrated year; the School can offer advice and support.
School study abroad placements
The School offers Study Abroad placements for students in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. Placements are undertaken in the third year and can be for either one semester or a year, during which you study at a partner institution; these studies count towards your degree.
Applications for School Study Abroad placements are competitive and placements cannot be guaranteed, although the School makes every effort to offer placements to all students wanting to study abroad.
St Andrews Abroad placements
The University offers Study Abroad placements in all subjects taught in the School of Modern Languages (including Comparative Literature and Persian). Placements are undertaken in the third year and can be for either one semester or a year, during which you study at a partner institution; these studies count towards your degree.
Applications for St Andrews Abroad placements are competitive; applicants must demonstrate a strong academic record and meet the minimum grade requirements.
Destinations
Destinations vary by degree programme and placement type. The University works with host institutions around the world including partners in
- Austria
- Canada
- Czechia
- Estonia
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Morocco
- New Zealand
- Qatar
- Spain
- Taiwan
- Uruguay
- USA
Benefits of studying or working abroad
Spending a semester or year abroad is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. You will broaden your academic or professional experience and employers value the outlook and aptitudes that a year abroad demonstrates.
You will also be able to:
- Improve your language skills
- Develop your confidence and independence
- Make new friends and see new places
- Experience another culture and new perspectives
Read about how recent students enjoyed their time abroad and what they gained from this:
- Veronica who studied abroad at Sciences Po Strasbourg, France
- Freya who worked abroad with the British Council in Verona, Italy
- Kathryn who studied abroad at the University of Bonn, Germany
Fees and funding
Students who do an Integrated Year Abroad pay half their normal tuition fee for the academic year. For most study abroad schemes, students pay their normal tuition fees and no additional fees are payable to the host institution. You do need to cover your own travel, accommodation, and other personal expenses.
Scholarships are available to eligible students to help fund their time abroad. Details are available here:
Applications and advice
Year abroad placements are normally completed during the third year of your degree.
Students apply to study or work abroad in their second year. The School hosts briefing sessions for students intending to apply and there is a year abroad coordinator in each department, who can offer you advice on options and eligibility.