Integrated year abroad degrees and study abroad placements

At the School of Modern Languages you will have opportunities to broaden your academic experience by spending a semester or year abroad as part of your degree.

Combining your studies with time abroad allows you to develop your linguistic skills, intercultural competence, and self-confidence.

Outbound study options

Integrated year abroad

The integrated year abroad is an opportunity for you to spend a year working abroad. The integrated year abroad is completed between your second and third year of study; this means the standard honours language degree takes five years rather than four.

  • The integrated year abroad is completed in a country where Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian, or Spanish is spoken:
  • There are no year abroad placements for Persian or Comparative Literature; however, if you are taking Persian or Comparative Literature with another language, you may be able to complete an integrated year abroad for the other language.
  • The University is unable to offer work placements in Russia; Russian language students can complete study placements in Estonia or Kazakhstan.
  • If you want to spend time in more than one country, it may be possible to split the integrated year abroad across two countries and/or to combine an integrated year abroad with a study abroad semester.
  • Working abroad as an integrated year of your degree is an enriching opportunity that enhances your language skills and employment prospects.
  • Language assistantships with the British Council are a popular year abroad option. Alternatively, with agreement from the School, students can organise their own work placement.
  • Year abroad placements are not guaranteed; placements are subject to academic performance and approval and are competitive.

Study abroad

The School of Modern Languages has its own study abroad scheme offering study placements with the School's partner institutions. 

  • The School offers study abroad placements for students in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Comparative Literature.
  • Study abroad placements are undertaken in the third year and can be for either one semester or a year, during which you study at a partner institution; these studies count towards your degree.
  • If you want to spend time in more than one country, it may be possible to combine a study abroad semester with an integrated year abroad.
  • Study abroad placements are not guaranteed; placements are subject to academic performance and approval and are competitive.
  • Study abroad placements are available in:
    • Arabic - Eqypt, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, and Qatar
    • Chinese - Taiwan
    • French - France and Switzerland
    • German - Germany and Austria
    • Italian - Italy
    • Russian - Estonia
    • Spanish - Spain and Uruguay
    • Comparative Literature - Lithuania
  • Details of available destinations can be found in the study abroad options catalogue.
  • The School of Modern Languages carefully selects, and has good relations with, its partners overseas and partners work closely with the School to ensure that you enjoy a successful time abroad.

St Andrews abroad

The University's St Andrews abroad study placements are available in all subjects taught in the School of Modern Languages - except Chinese, but including Persian.

  • Most St Andrews abroad placements involve a full year of study at one of the University's partner institutions, though some placements are available for one semester.
  • St Andrews abroad placements are undertaken in the third year, during which you study at a partner institution; these studies count towards your degree.
  • St Andrews abroad placements are not guaranteed; placements are subject to academic performance and approval and are competitive.
  • St Andrews abroad placements are available in Australia, Canada, Czechia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, and the USA.
  • Details of available destinations can be found in the study abroad options catalogue.
  • St Andrews carefully selects, and has good relations with, its partners overseas and partners work closely with the University to ensure that you enjoy a successful time abroad.

Fees and funding

Integrated year abroad

On integrated year abroad degrees you pay half your normal St Andrews tuition fees for the year abroad.

An additional fee is payable by Russian language students completing study exchanges.

Study abroad and St Andrews abroad

Most study abroad and St Andrews abroad placements involve payment of your normal St Andrews tuition fees and no additional tuition fees to the partner institution.

Financial support

Scholarships and bursaries are available for students spending time abroad as part of their degree.

These include the Saints Abroad Scholarships, which provide funding towards living costs for semester- and year-long placements, as well as the Stevenson scholarships and Scottish-Italian scholarships for students spending time in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Most scholarships and bursaries are applied for in the year before the start of the placement.

What are the benefits of time abroad?

Spending a semester or year abroad is an enjoyable and rewarding experience and for many students it is a formative part of their studies.

  • You have the opportunity to experience another culture and new perspectives, make new friends, and see new places.
  • You develop your linguistic skills, intercultural competence, and self-confidence.
  • You broaden your academic or professional experience and employers value the outlook and aptitudes that working and studying abroad demonstrates.
  • You demonstrate a range of self-management and problem solving skills including time management, adaptability, independence, and resilience.

Advice and support

Working or studying abroad is an exciting prospect and the majority of students enjoy the experience immensely. But preparation and organisation are key to ensuring that you are able to make the most of your time abroad.

Students are responsible for making their own travel and accommodation arrangements, but the University's Global Office can provide advice and all students attend a pre-departure briefing to make sure they have the information they need.

While you are abroad, you are encouraged to keep in contact with the School and you can continue to make use of the University's support services.

Student experience

Hear from students who spent time abroad as part of their degree:

"What began as an opportunity to improve my German soon became an unforgettable year of cultural discovery, professional growth, and personal connection."

- Saoirse
Integrated year abroad student

"With help from the Turing funding and Margaret Fleming bursary from St Andrews, as well as the Stevenson Scholarship, I was able to make the most of my year abroad. I not only improved my language skills in both French and Spanish, but I grew as a person and became a more confident, independent individual."

- Anna
Study abroad student