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Higher education

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DD considering dropping out of MFL & business degree after Y1

29 replies

northender · 30/05/2024 21:18

So dd is doing German, Spanish & Business & is at the end of her first year. The numbers doing German are v low & they were only offering 3 optional modules compared to 7 or 8 for French & Spanish. She had settled on her choice only to be told that it's being withdrawn due to low numbers. The other options are Dutch which would mean 4 more end of year exams or one focused on Art & literature which is just not her bag. She appears to have little option other than doing a module that she really doesn't want to do or to drop out for a year & consider her options (she would have to stay there and work as she is committed to a house for the year)
I don't know whether there is any process to appeal the withdrawal of the module or how likely that would be to succeed. She doesn't want to feel she has wasted the year & the cost/debt but also doesn't want to keep going for the sake of it & rack up more debt. I've no idea what to advise & feel pretty helpless.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 31/05/2024 16:18

Well I wouldn't be choosing Dutch, love the language but little use in a business setting.

TizerorFizz · 31/05/2024 16:46

@OopsIhadbetternamechange I totally agree. Not sure the job outcomes are enhanced though. I think the hard study options actually set you apart. No essays, no literature and no depth of study doesn’t help students in my view. Oxbridge doesn’t do this.

northender · 31/05/2024 17:49

Thanks for all your comments. I did say earlier DD isn't considering dropping out because of one module, rather that that was the final straw in the German element of the course.
I understand people's feelings about avoidance of literature but it's something she struggles so much with that it would have taken a huge amount of effort for an average mark (as it was in A levels).
I find the attitude to MFL in this country really sad, it is such a low priority at all levels of education. With hindsight she would not have chosen German but we are where we are & I'm sure she'll end up making the best decision for her in the end.

OP posts:
BurbageBrook · 31/05/2024 18:05

It is disappointing for her but students are often disappointed in the modules they choose even if it's first choice. So I would advise her to suck it up. It is a shame -- languages staff are being cut at so many universities, partly due to low student numbers (partly due to languages no longer being compulsory at GCSE). This then has a knock on effect for current language students.

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