German Studies 2023

We are committed to teaching innovative programmes that build directly on our research excellence.

All our degree courses are modular, allowing you to select modules in areas that interest you. We emphasise the development of language skills throughout the course. A varied menu of work in small groups develops speaking, listening, reading and writing skills and these are underpinned by a course in German grammar. Your oral skills will be assessed along with your ability to write German and to read a range of texts. You can also choose additional language options, e.g. in translation studies. Beginners follow an intensive programme of language instruction to enable rapid progress. In the final year they take the same language classes as post-A level students and graduate at the same level.

Other modules are delivered through lectures and seminars with plenty of scope for class discussion. You will gain practice in giving presentations in German and will learn to prepare work in groups as well as individually.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by coursework and exams or a combination of both. Your degree classification is determined by marks gained in the second and fourth year.

Studying languages can open up a world of opportunities. From banking to charities and from teaching to MI5, businesses and organisations across the globe seek to employ language specialists.

During this degree you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of modules, allowing you to tailor your studies around personal interests. In doing so you’ll start to identify potential career paths and begin to discover your areas of professional interest.

In addition to language skills, you’ll develop transferable skills highly sought after by employers such as confident communication skills, strict attention to detail and the ability to work within different cultures and organisational styles.

78.9% of undergraduates from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £24,904.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Your third academic year is spent in Germany or Austria doing one of the following:

• a programme of studies in a higher education institution
• working as an assistant in a school
• a work placement.

For more information, see our Year Abroad page.

Offers are normally made without interview. Suitable applicants with non-standard qualifications will be invited for an interview.

UCAS visit days for students offered a place are normally held from early February to late March. You are welcome to visit at other times – please contact us or find dates for our open days.