Integrated year abroad German MA (Hons) 2025 entry

Students who spend a year on a work placement abroad not only gain valuable work experience as teachers and tutors, but also develop their linguistic skills, social and personal development, and self-confidence and understanding of Germany or Austria. 

It is possible for students applying for the MA (Hons) in German to study or work abroad in a German-speaking country between their second and third year of study. This adds an extra year to the MA (Hons) course, making it a total of five years in length. Abroad options at partner universities are available in year three of the four-year MA.

Many UK students apply for a placement in a school through the British Council’s Language Assistantship scheme. Successful applicants go on to teach English at a school or college in Germany or Austria. Assistants are paid a salary locally, and, after attending a basic induction course in teaching resources and methods, are typically required to teach for 12 hours per week under the supervision of local staff at the educational institution employing them.

Other students organise an alternative work placement with the approval of the German Department. Previous students have worked in art galleries, publishing houses and various other sectors, including as in-house translators. 

The year abroad experience is competitive and is not guaranteed. Places are granted on merit during the second year of study and do not take into account the initial UCAS application. If students are unsuccessful with their year abroad application, they will be moved to the four-year German MA single Honours degree programme.

To find out more information, please contact the Department of German.  

UCAS code
R211
Start date
September 2025
End date
September 2030
Duration
Five years full time
School
School of Modern Languages

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for German with a year abroad are the same as the German MA (Hons) degree.

To be eligible for German with a year abroad, students must gain Honours entry in all subjects that they intend on taking at Honours level. Students who do not achieve entry to Honours-level in their chosen subjects must withdraw from their selected year abroad destination at that point.

Beginners in German are normally expected to spend a year abroad in Germany in order to advance to Honours years (fourth and fifth year). If you are a beginner in German and another language (through a joint degree), please consult your year abroad coordinators in both departments.

Course details

The MA (Hons) in German with an integrated year abroad follows the same course structure as the German MA (Hons) degree, with the addition of a year abroad in between second and third years of study.

During the integrated year abroad, students are required to take the following compulsory module:

  • German Integrated Year Abroad: language learning and cultural familiarisation through a work placement in a German-speaking country. Placements will be as language assistants in schools or on other assignments approved by the Department.

More information about the German modules currently on offer can be found in the module catalogue.

Joint Honours degrees

You can also take German (WIYA) as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.

"With" degrees

You can take German (WIYA) as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first name subject. St Andrews offers the following "with" degrees in German (WIYA):

  • Master of Arts (Honours) Economics with German (With Integrated Year Abroad) - UCAS code L1RF
  • Master of Arts (Honours) Economics with German - UCAS code L1R2

"With" degrees taken with German are also available 'With Integrated Year Abroad'.

Careers

Modern Languages graduates have an extremely good record of employment after graduating, not only in all sectors that require advanced language skills but also in professional environments that demand good communication and analytical skills. Employers value language graduates because they demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal and intercultural skills. 

Many graduates whether in the UK, in Germany, Austria or elsewhere, go on to: 

  • specialise in translation and interpreting services, in language teaching, journalism or other sector-specific careers
  • join international institutions, charities and enterprises, working in international development departments, human resources, administration, media and communication jobs
  • start a career in the banking and financial sector
  • join the civil service, particularly in positions within the Foreign Office
  • continue to study at postgraduate level across a range of academic and vocational subjects. 

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

What to do next

Online information events

Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.

Undergraduate visiting days

We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 3663
Email
germanhod@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
Department of German
Buchanan Building
Union Street
St Andrews
KY16 9PH

Department of German website

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