Integrated year abroad and study abroad placements

The School of Modern Languages offers a number of opportunities to broaden your academic experience by spending a semester or year abroad for credit as part of your degree. Combining your studies with time abroad allows you to develop your linguistic skills, intercultural competence, and self-confidence.

On most languages degrees you can choose to add an integrated year abroad making your degree a five-year programme. Alternatively, languages and Comparative Literature students can explore the University and School undergraduate study abroad options.

Student jumping on top of a hill

Student experience

Spending a semester or year abroad is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. You will broaden your academic or professional experience and employers value the outlook and aptitudes that a year abroad demonstrates.

You will also be able to:

  • Improve your language skills
  • Develop your confidence and independence
  • Make new friends and see new places
  • Experience another culture and new perspectives

Read about how recent students enjoyed their time abroad and what they gained from this.

Freya is studying Italian and Spanish and was working abroad with the British Council as an English language assistant in Verona, Italy

Anna is a triple Honours student taking International Relations, French, and Spanish and was studying abroad at Sciences Po in Paris, France

Rosie is studying French and German and was working abroad with the British Council as an English language assistant in Austria

Rebecca is studying French and Russian and was working abroad as a teaching assistant in Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle, France

Eve is studying Arabic and Spanish and was studying abroad taking Italian and cultural studies at the Università degli Studi di Padova in Italy

Morgan is studying Russian and was studying abroad with the Russian Language Undergraduate Studies programme in Tallinn, Estonia

Fees and funding

Integrated year abroad

If you are taking a full integrated year abroad programme, you will be charged half your normal tuition fee for the academic year. You will need to cover your own travel, accommodation, and other personal expenses.

Students undertaking an integrated year abroad for Russian will also be liable for Russian Language Undergraduate Studies Ltd (RLUS) fees.

Undergraduate study abroad

If you take an undergraduate study abroad programme you will be charged your normal tuition fee for a full academic year, whether you spend a full year abroad or one semester in St Andrews and one semester abroad.

Scholarships

Each year the School of Modern Languages awards a number of travel scholarships and bursaries for students who are spending time abroad as part of their degree. 

The University also offers scholarships for study abroad students.