International Placement (work or study)

Studying abroad offers a range of possibilities, with several different partner universities worldwide available to Modern Languages students. This can provide you with the opportunity to experience a different academic environment with local and other international students broadening your knowledge of the language and culture you study.

Please note that Study Abroad placements at partner universities are subject to availability and the allocation of these places is competitive and based on first-year marks.

Why Study Abroad?

Living and studying in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all key qualities that employers are looking for in today’s competitive employment environment.

Where can I Study Abroad?

We have partnership arrangements with many prestigious institutions across the globe. Exactly where you can apply to study will depend on the subject(s) you are studying at Exeter. For a full list please visit the Global Opportunities website. 

If you take more than one language and one of them is at beginner level, you must spend the whole academic year in the country where your beginner language is spoken. If the languages you study are all post A-level languages, then you will have the option of splitting your period abroad between the two countries where these languages are spoken.

What will I study whilst I am abroad?

Whilst overseas, you will complete predominantly Modern Languages-related modules that supplement the academic content of the modules offered at Exeter.

For your International Placement you will agree a suite of modules in your host institution with the Modern Languages Study Abroad Coordinator.

Does it count towards my degree?

Yes - the International Placement is an assessed year and the marks obtained count towards your final degree classification. If you begin a language in your first year at Exeter and intend to take that language in your final year, you must do your International Placement in that language. If you are a beginner and decide not to do an International Placement, you will be moved to Single Honours Global Cultural Studies for the final year.

How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?

For your International Placement you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. You will also continue to receive any Student Finance support for which you are eligible.  

How do I apply to study abroad?

The allocation of study abroad placements at our partner universities is a competitive process, based on your first-year average grade along with your successful completion of your first and second years. Please note that study abroad placements at partner universities are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.

If you wish to apply, you will be given all the necessary information during the first term of your second year, including a list of current Modern Languages partner universities. You will then be required to complete an online application by December of that year, including nominating your preferred destinations from our list of partners. You will be notified of the outcome of the application process by the second term, and if successful, you will be put in contact with your host university and then follow a secondary application process directly with them. For more information, please see our Go Abroad pages.

What happens if I am unsuccessful in my application for a study abroad placement?

If you are unsuccessful in securing a study abroad placement, you will be supported by the Modern Languages Study Abroad Coordinator and the Work Placements team, who will help you to source a work abroad internship for your International Placement year. 

Internships are very rewarding in that they can offer you valuable workplace experience. Whilst you will receive support from your first year with finding a work placement from our Placements Team, you are responsible for securing your placement and having it approved by the Placements Team.

You will receive a wide range of support from the Placements Team, including: timetabled lectures and workshops in your first and second year focussing on all aspects of securing a work placement abroad; bookable appointments with an Employability and Placements Adviser in your first, second and third year; email support; access to the Modern Languages Work Abroad Peer Mentoring Scheme; and helpful advice from previous students on our Work Abroad SharePoint site. 

Our students have spent their International Placement working in translation, education, tourism, marketing, fashion, commerce, journalism, heritage and many other sectors.

One of the more popular routes to working abroad is through the British Council English Language Assistantship. Becoming an English Language Assistant with the British Council is a brilliant opportunity to explore both the world of working and, more specifically, the idea of working as a teacher. You would spend around seven to eight months in a primary or secondary school in the country of the language you are studying. If your application is successful, a school will be allocated to you by the Ministry of Education of the country to which you apply via the British Council. Please note that these assistantships are organised by the British Council and placements are subject to their criteria and availability.

Why Work Abroad?

Working abroad is a popular choice for Modern Languages students each year - and for good reason. Apart from it being an exciting experience, immersing yourself in a new country and culture, and a chance to try out a job to see if it’s for you, it is also an asset for your future career. Working abroad gives you the opportunity to enhance your experiences and skills, such as intercultural communication, experience of working in a foreign business, immersion in a foreign culture, and working in a diverse workplace.

Undertaking a work placement significantly enhances your chances of securing a graduate job. It provides valuable experience in job applications and interviews, strengthens your CV with relevant work experience, and in some cases, past students have even received graduate job offers from their International Placement organisations.

Where can I work? 

You must work in a country that speaks the language that you are studying. This country must be deemed safe by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and is subject to approval by the department and Placements Team. Students have worked in a variety of countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Chile and Colombia. 

If you take multiple languages and are a beginner in one of them, then you must spend at least 24 weeks working in a country that speaks your beginner language.

If you take multiple languages all post-A level, you have more flexibility and are welcome to split your time across your languages. However, please note that you will only be assessed in one of them. 

Please also note that you may need a visa to work abroad, and this will be your responsibility to research and obtain. 

What work can I do?

You can work in up to three professional level roles in a country where your studied language is spoken. Previous students have secured placements in a wide range of industries, including translation, education, tourism, marketing, fashion, and journalism.

‘Professional level’ means a role that allows you to develop key employability skills. Whilst the role you do is flexible, certain roles are not accepted, for example Au Pairing, Barista, Shop Assistant and Fruit Picking.
 
The University of Exeter promotes paid placement opportunities for you to apply for. However, if you prefer, you can also choose to undertake a voluntary placement.
 
See below some examples of the organisations that Modern Languages students have worked within and their roles: 

• British Council – English Language Assistant (various countries)
• Clifford Chance – Marketing Intern (Paris, France)
• zChocolat – Corporate Sales Assistant (Forcalquier, France)
• Allianz SE – Global Olympic & Paralympic Program Team Intern (Munich, Germany)
• Phileas – Events, Research & Admin Intern (Vienna, Austria)
• Accord Solutions - Tourism Management and Foreign Languages and Literatures Internship (Florence, Italy)
• GUESS – Marketing Intern (Verona, Italy)
• British Chamber of Commerce – Business & Marketing Intern (Santiago, Chile)
• Residencia de Estudiantes – Events Intern (Madrid, Spain)

Each individual placement will have its own external application process but you will need to have secured a placement by our University of Exeter deadline, which is usually the end of August of your second year (however, this is subject to change).

Does it count towards my degree?

Yes - the International Placement is an assessed year, and the marks obtained count towards your final degree classification. If you begin a language in your first year at Exeter and intend to take that language in your final year, you must do your International Placement in that language. If you are a beginner and decide not to do an International Placement, you will be moved to Single Honours Global Cultural Studies for the final year.

How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?

For your International Placement you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. You will also continue to receive any Student Finance support for which you are eligible.  

How do I apply to work abroad?

It is your responsibility to source your work placement and you should treat it as you would an application for any prospective job. With that said, you will receive support and guidance from the Work Placements team, who offer lectures, workshops, appointments, CV advice and many other resources which will help you navigate the process. You will need to liaise directly with the company of your choice and follow their internal application process, which can be rigorous so it’s essential to be prepared. Once you have secured a placement, you must inform the Work Placements team. The deadline for securing a placement for your International Placement is by the end of your second year.

If you choose to apply for the British Council English Language Assistantship, you will need to apply directly to the British Council following their processes as outlined on their website. This process can be lengthy so it’s important that you are committed to it if you decide to apply. The application portal generally opens during the first term of your second year and the British Council will notify you during your second term whether you have been successful or not. You will need to keep the Placements team updated throughout the application process, and they in turn will provide you with guidance and support.

What happens if I am unable to secure a work abroad placement?

It is highly unlikely that you will be unable to source a work abroad placement, especially if you follow the advice and guidance of our Work Placements team. However, if you are unfortunate enough not to secure a placement, you will have the option of deferring a year or alternatively you can apply to move to either the three-year BA Modern Languages programme or the three-year BA Global Cultural Studies programme (dependent on your language level by the final year). This would need to be approved by the department.