DD wants to do languages but we worry

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My daughter wants to go to university and she is taking French, Maths and Psych A-levels. She just got a B in French in recent year 12 exams (following a grade 9 at GCSE) and she says she wants to study languages at Uni (the school will predict an A in French). However she got AA in Maths and Psychology exams (and will be predicted A stars in those two). I am worried that she is focusing in on her weakest subject (French) and it is not vocational either. Also We have been told that modern languages degrees are full of native speakers and that the year abroad is now so difficult and expensive if you don’t have an EU passport. I would like DD to take a year out to rethink languages and explore Maths/Psych/STEM but would like advice please

What’s wrong with a music degree? Got loads of transferable skills from mine (and have never been a teacher).

There are some unis that allow you not to do the year abroad if it is too stressful/ difficult. Don’t let that put you off. Also it may well be a problem that gets easier. There was talk of free movement for young people from UK in Europe not so long ago. If we get a new gvnmt, things may look very different.

There isn't really a way of doing "pure" languages. The only way you can get remotely close to that is doing a 3 language pathway at one of the unis that offer this BUT a) you can only take one ab initio so she'd need to be doing 2 languages at a-level, b) even in these degrees there are usually some mandatory "content" modules and c) you usually have to drop one by the end of second year anyway and continue with 2 into your YA and final year. By which time you haven't honed your essay writing skills as much as others and struggle with the literature or history modules at year 4 level.

I strongly suggest your daughter looks into a "... with French" joint honours course.

Nothing wrong with it at all.
There are so many transferable skills in a languages degree too, not least highly developed intercultural competence.
so depressing still to see the myopic crap about not bothering to learn a language because other people will speak English. There’s so much more to languages, but it’s also so entitled and rude to expect everyone else to do the work.

I don't think it's going to be thousands, unless she's planning to do her Year abroad in Quebec or somewhere.

@BreezySunnyDay I am always told this on Mumsnet, I have no idea why I am disbelieved.

It's Europe, I have had to spend the money on flights, bags on flights, trains, visas, trips to get visas. His loan does not cover this. It adds up.

I think your job is to be honest about what support you can afford. Your DDs job is to choose her degree with that information to hand.

You really should not try to make her choose a different subject simply to please you.

In case it helps, OP. They can do British Council on a student visa. They get paid quite well for 12 hours a week. That means they can work an extra eight hours a week if they need more money. Quite a few schools throw in free accomodation.

Of interest: Warwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Reading and Plymouth are a random selection of universities where I could easily access Outgoing Study Abroad Fees just now. Each has a blanket statement that currently Home students who go abroad for a full year pay only 15% of the regular tuition fees for that year. No tuition fees to the host; a few disciplines will have bench fees and the like.

None of the universities explicitly links this to the Turing Scheme. However this is obviously some kind of government programme. It is possible that the discount does not apply to EU destinations, although if so none of them make this clear

Sheffield mentions ‘a discount’. A few others could not be found readily

I assume the programme is more widespread than just these unis. An incredible opportunity

There's been a few MFL threads of late, with lots of divisive comments on the values on MFL study.

But, for those who really can't get it, attached is latest research from Oxford Uni using 9k graduates sample. History and MFLs hold their own, full 83 page report is included in summary for those wanting extra bed time reading. Whilst it's based on Oxford students, the report indicates findings apply to non-oxford grads too.

MFL may not be the right choice for OP's DC given her lack of interest on the non-language components, all students are different. Mine is absolutely loving her study of 2 and all that goes with it, and has not struggled in getting 2 internships this summer on the back of one of her languages, adding business spanish to her standard.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2023-06-21-new-research-shows-how-studying-humanities-can-benefit-young-people-s-future-careers

Oh I know (I write policy on this stuff - sorry no way to say that without sounding like an arse!) I just thought the previous poster was saying that Turing wouldn't cover such things and was curious.

Sheffield do a degree with Maths with Spanish - I imagine they'll offer Maths with French too 🙂

@fancreek Sorry!! 😊 I think we're basically the same argument 😂

Also worth reminding everyone that even the Erasmus payment wasn't huge! And maintenance loans still apply, so those can cover all the things that they usually cover.

Basically making *

@poetryandwine the 15% fees applied before Turing too, it's just basically a waiving of normal fees for incoming and outgoing study abroad students, apart from (I imagine) some admin costs)

Forgive my naivete, @BreezySunnyDay but does the 85% tuition fees savings not help a lot with the extra costs of study abroad?

Also, many of the most expensive destinations are in cultures where part time student employment is typical and SA students are allowed to work. I am not implying it is trivial, but it can be done.

FGS let her do what she wants. You’ll gain nothing by persuading her into a degree that she’s not as interested in. Be grateful
you have a clever and hard-working daughter with ambition and drive.

It just reduces the amount of student loans needed, as very few students would pay the fees up front anyway.

They would still get a loan for the 15% though, if that just gets added to the grand total 😊

But they still get the normal maintenance loan that they're entitled to. I can't actually remember whether their potential earnings as teaching assistants (if they go the BC route) are taken into account for that, it may be the case.

If the visa allows you to work it's not a problem, but I'm not sure if the normal student visa does. Someone else more knowledgeable will know!

But as I said, online tutoring (of younger school pupils in UK for eg) is possible.

French degree is pretty pointless these days unless she wants to be a French teacher. So many native French people who can speak English. It's almost like taking a music degree.

You could say the same about all non-vocational degrees. There are so many graduate schemes and roles that don't demand a specific degree, languages and music are just as valid as any other discipline.

I would say that it's her choice... If that's what she wants to do you shouldn't put her off!
University is about THEIR choice of further education , as an adult; all you can do is give your support and be there if it doesn't go to plan. Give your point view, but let her decide... and be happy for her.

@BreezySunnyDay I did academic advising for non-EU study abroad a while back. The normal student visa usually allows you to work.

Everything you’ve said about the loans is as it was then. Only the discount is better. My honest question is: yes times are really tough but in light of the 85% discount and the norm of part time work, why is it thought that there is a greater financial barrier to study abroad now? In the past we had only a 50% discount for non-EU study and students from all walks of life participated.

Student visa allows them to work 20 hours a week.

I did languages as a sub part of my degree and now earn an absolute fortune in a job I love! I also failed a few exams at uni and did resits almost every year but I love it and I'm a grafter 🤗 I'd tell her to go for it and support her by doing trips abroad to improve her ear. Also TikTok

My daughter has a music degree and is a Secondary school music teacher. Her cohort have a variety of different roles, all with their music degrees. One is a conductor, one is in theatre management, another in the army, another working in the NHS and several teachers, not specialising in music teaching e.g primary school teachers.
It is ridiculous to suggest it is pointless. She could have done a French degree because she got good A level grades, but music was (and is) her passion.

(sorry - just saw red because so many people think music isn't "academic" when it's actually extremely difficult!)

I'd agree, combine the french with something else - could be maths or could look at something more economic/international business (with french) that often includes a year working in france as part of the course.

The international business option combined with the language is very highly regarded, and she could look at aligning the business option close as possible to her maths skills.