St Andrews - Ask A Current Student Thread

If we want to do a language as one of the subjects in our degree, exactly how fluent would we have to be? I'm pretty good at German and got an A in the Irish Leaving Cert, but I definitely wouldn't be fluent by any means.
Also, is there anywhere where we can learn a new language outside of the degree?

Thanks "Oh-WOW" for last reply - I tried to rep you but it told me that I'd already done it recently!

you do a test thingy when you start and they'll decide if you're advanced or not.

If we want to do a language as one of the subjects in our degree, exactly how fluent would we have to be? I'm pretty good at German and got an A in the Irish Leaving Cert, but I definitely wouldn't be fluent by any means.
Also, is there anywhere where we can learn a new language outside of the degree?

Thanks "Oh-WOW" for last reply - I tried to rep you but it told me that I'd already done it recently!

You can start at beginner level modules, or if you're good enough, you do a test thingy when you start and they'll decide if you're advanced or not.
You can also do evening language classes

If we want to do a language as one of the subjects in our degree, exactly how fluent would we have to be? I'm pretty good at German and got an A in the Irish Leaving Cert, but I definitely wouldn't be fluent by any means.
Also, is there anywhere where we can learn a new language outside of the degree?

Thanks "Oh-WOW" for last reply - I tried to rep you but it told me that I'd already done it recently!

I am an international undergraduate student.
Is there anything I need to do before I go to St Andrews?
I see someone talking about advising? matriculation? isaint? etc...I have not received email about such information...Do I need to sign in or do something befroe I go there?

There isn't a beginners level module for french though, just to warn you. I was pretty upset when I was planning to take a lazy module and do beginners french, as I thought I would probs have done the majority of it at GCSE. but it did not exist and I had to stop being lazy

Was the advance french class difficult? Like you I also did GCSE French but only got a B but it's such a brilliant language I'd love to try and advance in it!

[To be fair, my French teacher wasn't great...I don't want to be nasty because it wasn't her fault that half the class didn't want to learn French in the first place...but that's beside the point. ]

Was the advance french class difficult? Like you I also did GCSE French but only got a B but it's such a brilliant language I'd love to try and advance in it!

Are you allowed to bring a date to the Freshers Ball or is it just for students of St Andrews? Thanks

oh no. I didn't end up doing French because I was never liked it. I just meant I was going to take the beginners french one because I thought it'd be easy as I had a basic understanding but as the beginners french didn't exist, I ended up taking another module instead.

I'm a final year French student, so I'll do my best to cast my mind back to first year to try to help! From what I remember the course involves speaking classes, language classes and reading 2 or 3 French novels and poems, which could be a bit challenging - however all your essays are written in english, and the majority of teaching is also in english. Most students on the course will have A level equivalent french, but even so usually there are big differences in ability/confidence etc. As a first year, you're only required to get a basic pass in your classes (7/20) - so there is an argument to just studying whatever you feel like!
During freshers week there's normally a chance to ask questions to tutors from different departments before you make your choices so that could be a chance to go over your concerns... also, after term starts you're allowed to swap subjects within the first two weeks, so if you try it and are unhappy it's not the end of the world.
I think my overall advice would be to try a beginner's module in one of the other languages (Spanish Italian German) the classes are fun, and the workload is very very light, so you have more time to concentrate on your main subject/enjoy being a fresher!
Sorry I've rambled on, but I hope this helps!

tip if you go to st andrews to do econ:

when making module choices, find out which lecturers do internet notes. these means you dont need to attend class and can just print off the internet notes 2 weeks before class and cram!

for Environmental Economics (3rd year module) I didnt go to a single lecture and almost got a 1st in that module!

Argh, sorry, I have another question.

Ok so I was having a gander at this -

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/newstudents/ArtsandDivinity/

Which is basically what someone posted before and it's an overview of what needs to be done before 'matriculation' and it says something about paying fees and things but it says [unless I am reading it incorrectly] that fees should be paid on orientation week but student finance doesn't come in until the week later...? Am I going crazy for no reason or do they expect us to pay with no student finance or...?

Sorry, this may be an extremely dense question but money and student finance and fees and things are the one big thing that is scaring the hell out of me...

EDIT: actually...scratch that, it all seems pretty scary...

Tuition fees should be paid automatically by the Government. You never get the money, it goes from student finance to the Uni. During pre-matriculation (which is done on iSaint I think) you will just tick a box about fees. If student finance is paying them tick the relevant box and it's all done. nothing to worry about

I thought that was the case but the way it was written [something about bringing a cheque or debit card to pay outstanding fees] sent me into a mad frenzy of fear!

I don't suppose you know when we pay for accommodation? They won't expect us to pay before student finance comes through will they?

...I'm such a drip.

I thought that was the case but the way it was written [something about bringing a cheque or debit card to pay outstanding fees] sent me into a mad frenzy of fear!

I don't suppose you know when we pay for accommodation? They won't expect us to pay before student finance comes through will they?

...I'm such a drip.

Right, I have a couple more questions:
1. Can we join the local library? I.e. the town/county one rather than the university. If it makes any difference, I am a member of my local one in England.
2. Do the halls have Sky tv? I must watch Glee!

Oh and if anybody knows the answer to the question I posted before, that would be awesome - does the university itself employ students for anything?

Accommodation fees can be payed in three instalments. The best way to work it with student finance is to set up a recurring payment plan for October, January and April. The date is like a week or so after you get each payment.
It's the option at the very bottom of this page.
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/money/Tuitionfees/Payingfees/

you have to set up the recurring payment plan before 24th september to matriculate.

As for tuition fees, they'll just be paid directly to the uni.