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Prerequisites for Study Abroad

Linguistic Skills

Before spending the third year of your degree abroad, it is obviously essential to have some knowledge of the local language. Our partners usually require their exchange students to have achieved at least a B1 level of proficiency in the local language before starting the academic year.

With your Languages for All (LFA) course in your first year, you should be able to achieve an A2 level, even if you are a total beginner. This roughly corresponds to the level you reach with a GCSE in a foreign language. We strongly recommend that you continue your language studies by taking an extra-curricular LFA module in your second year (or as an elective, if you are studying a course of an appropriate level) to ensure that you have the linguistic skills needed to make the most of your Year Abroad.

You should carefully reflect on whether you would like to take part in the Year Abroad or not, and if so, where you would like to spend your third year abroad before choosing what language to study during your first and second years.

The LFA course you choose does not force you to go abroad to a particular destination. For instance, you can choose to study an LFA course in German and apply for a Year Abroad in Italy. However if you do not take the course that matches your destination, you will have to prove that you have reached the required level in the relevant language via some other route.

Please also note that any linguistic course will be sufficient and that prospective Year Abroad students do not necessarily need to take the specialist 'for Art Historians' classes.

Academic performance

The Year Abroad is not an easy option. To ensure that you will be able to cope with the extra demands of studying abroad, we expect to see a good academic track record at York.​ Normally students will have a grade average of at least 60 for Stages 1 and 2, including a mark of at least 65 (or demonstrable equivalent proficiency) in the relevant language. You will also have a record of excellent attendance and good participation in seminars. If you aren't able to demonstrate this track record then we may recommend that you transfer to our three-year programme and seek alternative opportunities for study/travel overseas. There are many alternatives to taking a whole year abroad which may suit you better, including Summer Schools.