Any disadvantage of taking a language as a 3rd yr module choice for a STEM degree?

[bruizez]

DS is doing a numerate STEM degree at a very good uni and choosing modules for his 3rd and final year. The third year is weighted heavily for the final degree classification. One module is a free choice, and he's planning to do conversational Spanish. He did it for GCSE and seems to think it will therefore be a relatively easy/fun as well as useful option. Is he right, or might there be a sting in the tail?

It's a few years ago now but DD1 studied German as part of her NatSci course at Cambridge. She only had a GCSE in French, but we have family in Germany and they assessed her as one step up from a complete novice even though she was limited to hello, goodbye and wine please when she started. She learned lots, supplemented with Duolingo and is now considerably better at German than French. I think it counted for something like 2% of her Part II mark.