Where to do German and history degree?

[InDIYHell]

I'm trying to help DD and she thinks she has settled on a joint German and history degree (her 2 favourite a levels). Can anyone suggest what unis we should focus on that has a good reputation in both? Thanks!

I never said it wasn't a huge advantage - clearly it is. But I have known students who were native speakers who thought that all they had to do at A level was rock up and get the highest grade. They didn't read the rubric and wrote far too much for the summary tasks; they didn't think they needed to read up about the book and the film (or indeed, didn't do more than watch the film, not even reading the book) and then their essays were poor (though linguistically good); they didn't do the research needed for their IRP and thought they would wing it.

Not saying all native speakers do that obvs. Just that even they will need to do some work to get a top grade. But yes, the percentage of native speakers esp at A level, and esp in German (which is taken buy very few people at all) is distorting the figures unfortunately. I have no idea what can be done beyond encouraging uptake among non-native speakers - but with so many schools dropping German even at GCSE that's a tough battle.

Anyway. red herring, sorry OP.

Not saying all native speakers do that obvs. Just that even they will need to do some work to get a top grade.

Yes, absolutely they need to put in the work. Especially for the literature component. It's definitely not an easy A level.

@clary
MFLs are considered hard. Dc give up. All the time on MN! The DC also perceive native speakers are better than them. And they are. (Most will work too - hence better results!) It’s demoralizing.

As a country we do not value languages. Only stem which is pushed and pushed. More and more DC take stem related subjects snd give up MFL. It suits our narrative as a country. This is why no one cared about the loss of Erasmus or our collaboration with EU universities. It’s a poor attitude and until it’s corrected, we won’t encourage linguists. Those who already speak another language have a different view. I’m glad they do but we need others to be encouraged snd whilst the results are skewed, it won’t happen.

Agree with all that @TizerorFizz

Great that your DD wants to continue with German OP!

uk.diplo.de/uk-en/02/visa/university-studies/2449178

Visa-free travel

British nationals do not require visas or residence permits for study or research visits not exceeding 90 days within a 180-day period - provided that they do not pursue any economic activity. This privilege also applies to all other nationals who do not require visas for visits not exceeding 90 days.

For any stay exceeding the time limit above, British citizens may apply to the local immigration office (“Ausländerbehörde”) for their residence permit after arrival in Germany and without having obtained a visa prior to travelling to Germany. Please note that any application for a residence permit needs to be filed within the first 90 days of your stay in Germany. We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment. The visa-free privilege is also extended to citizens of Andorra, Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Korea (republic), Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino and the United States of America. It is important to note that you may only take up employment once you have been issued a residence permit explicitly authorising the employment.

All other nationalities require a visa prior to travelling to Germany.

Hmm... Slightly confusing, as it then goes on to say what you neeed to show when applying for your visa to study abroad, including students enrolled at a UK university entering Germany to study, including on a semester / year abroad.

DD was in France last year and definitely was under the impression that for that country, she needed a student visa and she qent through a process v.similar to the one described on the German site (I think that the TLS centre in Wandsworth processes visa applications for both). In her case, she had to wait quite a long time for her initial appointment, although that was due to a Covo-relayed office closure at TLS, which should not be an issue this year, but then it only took a week for the visa to be approved and she flew out two days later. Hopefully the German officials would be just as efficient.

Oops, just realised meant to post the foregoing on the 'semester in Germany' thread, not here🙄

Wow, I'm the OP, I've had a busy week and just returned to this thread. I had no idea that an MFL discussion would be so popular and wanted to thank everyone for your responses - I have read them all!

You've helped with coming up with questions for opens days eg I hadn't though about the dynamic changing if she does a 4 year degree but is friends with those doing 3 years. We recently visited Berlin and DD loved it, she spoke in German to the hotel receptionist who said he was very impressed (until I tried to join in ).

It is concerning that people fluent in MFL might choose to do A level & degree in that language (that's certainly not the case for DD). She seems to have a natural affinity for German and loves crafting essays but she'll be disappointed if she doesn't get at least an A. She doesn't know what she wants to do for a career and it seems so unfair that they are expected to know at 17.

I think we've ruled out Scottish unis as we are in southern England plus paying for potentially a fifth year feels too much.

We'll go to the open days in Sept/Oct and perhaps bump into some of you there

Good luck to everyone either awaiting results or embarking on this journey.

@InDIYHell
Hi. As long as DD tries to make friends with follow linguists and other 4 year degree students she should be ok. It’s not really something to worry about.

Also she doesn’t need to think of a career right now. However whilst at university it really is worth going to careers events and doing some work or volunteering experience. Sometimes this even informs what you don’t want to do!! DD also had ambitious friends at uni. This really can make a difference too. At 17 DC are not the same as they are at 21. With the year abroad, a lot can change!!

Just about nowhere asks for A* to do a MFL. A is fine so she doesn’t need to put pressure on herself. My DD had no particular advantages when studying MFL and we, as parents, knew nothing!