University course Β· real outcomes from HESA / Discover Uni Β· part of Careermash
University degree

Modern Languages (German and Persian) and English

University of St Andrews
Qualification
Degree
Length
4 yrs
UK fees / yr
Β£9,535
Study
full-time
Robin Β· your guide
Here's the honest picture on this course - what you'd study, whether you'd likely get in, what it pays, and where it leads. Everything's real data.
About this course

Combining two modern languages with the study of English literature creates a degree of unusual intellectual reach: three major literary traditions, three linguistic frameworks, and a training in the kind of comparative cultural understanding that is increasingly sought in a connected world. German opens the door to one of the great intellectual and literary traditions of Europe, encompassing philosophy, fiction, drama and poetry from Goethe and Schiller to contemporary German writing. Persian gives access to one of the world's oldest literary traditions, rich in poetry, narrative and philosophy from Hafez and Rumi to modern Iranian and Afghan literature.

English literature meanwhile brings its own vast tradition, from early modern drama and poetry to the contemporary novel and critical theory.

At the University of St Andrews, this four-year full-time degree develops your competence in German and Persian to an advanced level alongside serious engagement with English literature and critical thinking. You will study language, literature and culture in all three traditions, building the ability to read, analyse and write across linguistic and cultural boundaries. St Andrews offers a wide range of course options within the German strand, allowing you to explore the cultural heritage of the German-speaking world in ways that reflect your own interests.

A year abroad is built into the programme, giving you the chance to deepen your language skills and cultural immersion in a live setting. Typical entry is around 200 UCAS tariff points.

Graduates from this trilingual and literary combination go on to careers in diplomacy, translation and interpreting, international organisations, journalism, publishing, academic research, the arts, cultural institutions and the civil service. The combination of German and Persian expertise is particularly unusual and valuable in contexts concerned with European and Middle Eastern affairs. Further study in modern languages, comparative literature, translation or area studies is a natural route for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.

Could you get in?
The grades students arrived with
48-63 pts1%
64-79 pts1%
112-127 pts1%
128-143 pts5%
144-159 pts5%
160-175 pts8%
176-191 pts5%
192-207 pts7%
208-223 pts6%
224-239 pts8%
240+ pts18%
How they qualified
87% got in with A-levels. The rest came in a mix of ways:
A-levels87%
the IB8%
another degree4%
Other1%
Could I get in? Try your grades
120 UCAS pts
Pay & prospects
85%
In work or further study after
94%
Continue past first year
86%
Student satisfaction
What graduates earn over time
Β£30,000
3 years on
Β£38,500
5 years on
What graduates actually go on to do % of leavers
Business and public service associate professionalsHighly skilled25%
Administrative occupations10%
Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations10%
Media ProfessionalsHighly skilled10%
Teaching ProfessionalsHighly skilled10%
Elementary occupations10%
Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation5%
Managers, directors and senior officialsHighly skilled5%
What students say National Student Survey
86%
of students are satisfied with the course overall
Teaching93%
Assessment & feedback75%
Academic support81%
Well organised89%
Learning resources91%
Student community92%
In students' own words
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A great decision
I was sceptical before starting β€” now I'd recommend it to anyone. The best part: small-group tutorials really push your thinking. If I'm honest, the timetable has some awkward 9am / Friday afternoon slots. On the city β€” good transport links…
Class of 2022 Β· Full-time
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Would do it again
I've grown so much academically and personally here. The best part: the teaching staff are genuinely world-class and accessible. If I'm honest, would like to see more industry guest speakers in later years. On the city β€” good transport link…
Postgraduate Β· Full-time
More courses like this
Where this degree can lead
Like the look of it?
When you're ready, the full entry requirements and application are on University of St Andrews's own site.
Apply on uni site
Careermash Β· real course data from HESA / Discover Uni, in plain English.

Career data: role, pay and progression profiles built for Careermash's careers engine; AI-impact estimates from Anthropic's observed AI-usage telemetry and OpenAI's AI Jobs Transition Framework. Course data: HESA / Discover Uni, including Graduate Outcomes, LEO and the National Student Survey. Apprenticeships: IfATE-published standards, approved only.

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