Modern languages at St Andrews

[user1460670891]

Hi,

Has anyone got any experience with joint modern languages degrees at St Andrews? It's my DD's preferred university and course (she seems to think she can do it in 4 years with a year abroad not 5)

Thank you.

Direct entry into second year is available at St Andrews in Maths & Science subjects for students with A grades and above at A levels. I’m not aware that the same path is available for Modern Languages though

Our younger daughter started at St Andrews in early September and has chosen Direct Entry into her Physics degree. All going well she’ll complete her MPhys in 4 years as opposed to 5 (and with the option of a Year Abroad)

Why not drop Admissions an email to check as they were helpful when I had a query?

Hi, Thank you. Yes, I was thinking of doing that - although my daughter wouldn't want me interfering... but she is quite vague on how it would work and the website is not very clear.

I think you can choose 4 or 5 years (but maybe 5 year is more competitive as I think its a job not a year at a uni). DDs friend doing 5 year with a joint subject. Not sure what she applied for and when she knew which she was doing. Think after end of 2nd year.

My dd also wants to do MFL at St A - their website is awful. We couldn’t work out whether it was 4 or 5 years - I thought 5 but I could have made a mistake, she’s happy with either (I’m less happy, thinking of the cost)
Is this for 2024 or 2025 entry? Where else has she looked at?

It was 15 years ago now but when I did MFL at St Andrews, you had two options - a four-year degree where you spent third year at university abroad (and the work you did abroad counted towards your degree, credits were converted). Or a five-year programme where you spent third year working abroad (most did British Council language assistant scheme) then came back and completed academic years three and four in St Andrews.

I don't remember having to decide which to go for until second year. Number of students doing each was fairly evenly split. I think the year at uni was seen as slightly more challenging (and you needed higher grades) as it counted towards your degree so no room for error!

I'm sure there was an option not to go abroad at all and still get your MFL degree too, although not many did that and it would obvs put you at a disadvantage.

I emailed admissions and was referred to the prospectus (but I still don't understand how exactly the year abroad works.)

This is for 2024 entry. DD also applied to Cambridge, Durham, UCL and Bristol.

Thank you RedCorvette - this is very helpful.

Yes, she can do four years with a year abroad - the 3rd year is a year at a university abroad, whereas 5 yr degrees will be a year as a language assistant. Comes with risks as all the grades from
the year abroad count towards final hons classification so if she’s not a strong linguist she might struggle.

Have a look at the global office section of the website not modern langs as they run the system.

My son has an offer for Italian and Spanish and Integrated Year Abroad - It's 5 years

My dd did MFL at St Andrews in 4 years with 3rd year abroad. As previously mentioned - she spent 3rd year at uni abroad. I think it takes a bit more organisation and persistence from the student but it’s possible.