Studying a Modern Languages Degree at St Andrews
In this post, Amy Kinsman, Careers Adviser, shares her advice on the career advantages of studying a Modern Languages degree at St Andrews.
Embarking on a Modern Languages degree at the University of St Andrews is not just about mastering languages; it’s a transformative journey that equips you with a diverse skill set and prepares you for a multitude of future career opportunities. The programmes will give you practical and professional skills through a variety of activities.
Here’s a look at some of the modules and how they will develop your skills for your future career.
1. Blog writing and critical reviews
Half of the semester is dedicated to blogging about current events in the French-speaking world. This exercise enhances your ability to analyse and comment on global issues, developing written communication, digital literacy, and creativity—valuable skills for careers in journalism, diplomacy, and international relations. The other half of the semester focuses on writing critical reviews of books, shows, songs, and films in French. This sharpens your critical thinking and written communication, preparing you for roles in literary criticism, entertainment, and media. (Modules FR3001 and FR3002)
2. Speech analysis and performance
A semester dedicated to analysing, writing, translating, and performing speeches in both written and oral classes, including political and activist speeches. This component enhances your rhetorical skills, oral communication, and creativity, crucial for careers in politics, law, and public relations. (Module FR4105)
3. Working with the line manager
A semester that embeds employability as part of the production of the formative activities leading to the project of working with the line manager. If environmental matters and narratives of the sea are of interest, the module contributes to develop team contribution, organisation skills, and self-awareness and reflection while navigating timekeeping and orientation in the programme outside the regular classroom setting, while studying nineteenth century French science or fiction. (Module FR4127)
4. Research project
The final assessment for the cultural module involves creating a poster and briefing document with an annotated bibliography on a seminar-relevant topic. This project develops research skills, analytical abilities, and presentation skills, preparing you for careers in academia, research, and policy analysis. (Module IT1001)
5. Oral examination
An oral examination in pairs involves creating and performing a dialogue based on a scenario. This task improves spoken language proficiency and collaborative problem-solving, useful for any role requiring strong interpersonal communication. These skills are vital for careers in negotiation, mediation, and customer relations. (Module IT1002)
6. Applying for a job in Italian
This includes three classes focused on job application skills in Italian, including cover letter writing and role-playing a job interview. Practicing in a foreign language not only reinforces your language skills but also builds confidence in using those skills in a professional setting. This activity boosts your oral communication, interpersonal skills, and commercial/business awareness. (Module IT1004)
7. Innovative product design project
In a formative project, you will work in groups to design an innovative product based on a given brief and then pitch your idea to an audience. This exercise fosters teamwork, creativity, and commercial/business awareness, all of which are highly valued in entrepreneurial and corporate environments. These skills are particularly beneficial for careers in product development, project management, and business consultancy. (Module IT1004)
8. Podcast assessment
This is an opportunity to pair up with peers to conduct independent research and discuss your findings in a recorded podcast in Italian. This activity sharpens research skills, problem-solving, and oral communication, preparing you for roles in media, education, and public relations. (Module IT2001)
9. Subtitling activity
A formative subtitling activity requires you to use subtitling software to translate from Italian into English and present your work to the class. This task enhances translation skills and digital literacy, which are essential in translation jobs. This experience is particularly useful for careers in film and television, multimedia localisation, and international publishing. (Module IT4003)
10. Video blog assessment
For the video blog assessment, you will research and critically present a topic related to Italian culture in a vlog format. This modern, multimedia approach develops digital content creation skills, creativity, and written communication, crucial for careers in digital marketing, journalism, and cultural promotion. (Module IT4003)
11. Cover letter and CV writing workshops
In module SP4003, there are two class sessions dedicated to crafting effective cover letters and CVs, culminating in a summative essay on a cover letter. These workshops ensure that you can present yourself effectively on paper, enhancing your written communication, self-awareness and reflection, and recognition of opportunities—fundamental skills for any job application process. (Module SP4003)
There is also a workshop that focuses on creating professional documents in French. It broadens your ability to apply for jobs in French-speaking regions, enhancing your international employability through written communication and self-awareness and reflection. This is especially useful for careers in international business, diplomacy, and translation services. (Module FR3002/FR4106)
12. 10-minute job interview for curator role
As part of an assessed portfolio, you will participate in a 10-minute job interview simulation for a curator role. This exercise is invaluable for honing interview skills, learning to articulate qualifications succinctly, and understanding the dynamics of professional conversations. By mastering this, you will gain self-awareness and reflection, oral communication, and commercial/business awareness, essential for careers in museum curation, arts administration, and cultural management. (Module SP4019)
13. Portfolio submission
The portfolio submission includes two components: a digital story and annotations, crafted as if for a job application in the field. This task teaches you how to present your skills and experiences compellingly, demonstrating your value to potential employers. Through this, you’ll develop written communication, digital literacy, and creativity, crucial in fields such as marketing, media, and the arts. (Module SP4019)
14. Creative homework assignment
A formative creative homework assignment requires you to retell an episode of Don Quixote as a live news report. This imaginative task develops your ability to think creatively and adapt literary content for different formats, enhancing skills in storytelling, media production, and oral communication. These skills are valuable for careers in journalism, broadcasting, and creative writing. (Module SP4224)
Conclusion
A Modern Languages degree from the University of St Andrews is a pathway to career opportunities. These experiences not only prepare you for a specific career but also equip you with versatile skills that are highly valued in the global job market. Whether you aim to work in education, media, international business, or any other field, the competencies developed during your degree will be instrumental in achieving your career aspirations.
Special thanks
Special thanks to the following academics who provided valuable insights and information about their modules, making it possible to create this post:
- Dr Elise Hugueny-Léger
- Dr Karol Valderrama-Burgos
- Dr Laura Albertini
- Dr Martina Codicè
- Dr Pauline Souleau
- Dr Ted Bergman
- Mr Juan Hoyos
- Ms Stéléna Serhane
- Mx Zéphyr Fenocchio
- Prof Mary Orr