Integrated year abroad Spanish MA (Hons) 2022 entry

It is possible for students applying for the MA (Hons) in Spanish to study abroad in a Spanish-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.

Students who spend a year abroad not only gain valuable work experience as teachers and tutors, but also develop their linguistic skills, intercultural competence, and self-confidence.

UK students are usually placed in a school through the British Council’s Language Assistantship scheme, although this is not guaranteed. At present, the programme is not expected to be affected by the UK withdrawal from the EU, and as such it is anticipated that it will remain an option. Successful applicants go on to teach English at a school, college or university in Spain or Latin America. 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.

However, you can organise an alternative work placement with the approval of the Spanish Department. For example, previous students have worked in art galleries, publishing houses and various businesses.

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 Spanish MA single Honours degree programme.

To find out more information, or to discuss the possibility of an integrated year abroad, please contact the Department of Spanish.

Contact

Department of Spanish
School of Modern Languages
University of St Andrews
Buchanan Building
Union Street
St Andrews
KY16 9PH

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2960
Email: spanishhod@st-andrews.ac.uk

Department of Spanish

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

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

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

The module is assessed by the following means:

• Semester 1: two short written pieces totalling 500 words for 25% of the final grade.
• Semester 2: abstract and title, followed by an essay of 2500 words for 50% of the final grade.
• During Orientation Week or the first week of your return:  ten-minute oral examination in Spanish for 25% of the final grade.

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