Studying for a German degree allows you to acquire both high-level language skills and a thorough understanding of German culture and society within a global context. Courses place emphasis on practical language work and communication skills, with opportunities to study aspects of the culture, thought, society and institutions of the country in question.

What qualifications do you need?

For German degree courses, an A Level (or equivalent) in German is usually required. Unless you'll be studying it from beginners' level, in which case you'll need either an AS Level or GCSE in a foreign language. Other useful subjects to have on your application include History, English Language or Literature, and Politics. Grades and other requirements vary with each university and course. Make sure to check for the institution you're interested in.

What degrees can you study?

German Studies and Computing German Studies and English Literature German Studies and Film German Studies and Geography German Studies and History German Studies and Linguistics German Studies and Mathematics German Studies and Philosophy German Studies and Politics German Studies and Psychology German Studies and Spanish Studies German Studies and Theatre German Studies with Arabic German Studies with Chinese Law with German

Study German, why & how to study

Q: Why study German?

German graduates develop skills in organisational understanding and cultural sensitivity. Many go on to study further or become teachers, either of foreign languages in the UK or of English abroad. There are also exciting career opportunities for those with good language skills across many industry sectors.

Q: How will you be assessed?

When studying for a German degree, you're likely to be assessed by a mixture of coursework and exams. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, critical reports, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Multiple-choice formats are also employed where appropriate. Students usually produce final year project reports and dissertations.

Q: What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Languages and Cultures: MA European Languages and Cultures: MPhil/PhD

Not only will you learn the language but you'll gain great insight into the culture and society of Germany and other German-speaking countries.

CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Katie Lazell 10 Feb 2023

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Tourist looking at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin in Germany

What’s German?
What German degrees can you study?
What do you need to get onto a German degree?
What topics does a German degree cover?
How will you be assessed?
Why study German?
What do German graduates earn?
What jobs can you get as a German graduate?
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Similar subjects to German
Have any questions?

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What’s German?

Studying German at university will give you a thorough understanding of German culture and society within a global context while learning high-level language skills.

German courses place an emphasis on practical language work and communication skills, with opportunities to study aspects of the culture, thought, society, and institutions of the country in question.

What German degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in German may be combined with a wide range of subjects or with other languages, for example:

Options may include an integrated foundation year or study abroad.

What do you need to get onto a German degree?

Entry requirements for a German degree at a university range from 96–165 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below.

A Levels: AAA–CCC
BTECs: D*D*D*–DMM
Scottish Highers: AAAAA–BBBB (Advanced Highers: AAB–BB)
International Baccalaureate: 38–26
Universities will usually ask that you have studied: an A Level (or equivalent) in German, unless studying it from beginners' level, in which case you'll need either an AS Level or GCSE in a foreign language

Other good subjects to have studied include:

History, English language or literature, and politics
General studies at A Level may not be accepted

Experience that would look good on your application:

Find out as much as you can about German culture, history and language to show your commitment to the subject – read books, blogs and German news, or watch German language videos or films
Going on an exchange visit, if possible
Being a member of a language club or cultural society
Work experience could involve shadowing a language teacher, assisting at a language school, or language tutoring
Attending free lectures in modern languages, or online courses or MOOCs
If eligible, attend summer schools, e.g. Sutton Trust or UNIQ

Other requirements for this subject include:

Pass in the practical element of science, if taken at A Level
Interview and entry assessments may be required by some universities

What topics does a German degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

Approaches to language
German film: nation and identity
German language skills in context
German language: oral skills
German language: written skills
International placement year: intercultural and academic reflection
Literature and society since 1945
Researching German culture, history and society
Shaping contemporary German-speaking Europe: moments and movements
Understanding culture: language and texts

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following, and will vary from module to module.

Coursework
Critical reports
Essays
Exams, including short answer questions and essays
Literature reviews
Oral presentations
Poster sessions
Short tests
A dissertation or project report is usually a final year option

Why study German?

As well as language and subject-related skills, a degree in German develops rich interpersonal, intercultural, cognitive and transferable skills that can be utilised across a variety of careers.

Career-specific skills:

Critical understanding of German politics, culture and history
Experience of working with people from different cultures
Expertise in a second language, reading advanced texts, and translating to and from German

Transferable skills:

Adaptability
Collaboration
Communication
Critical and analytical thinking
Cultural awareness and sensitivity
Decision making
Organisational understanding
Planning
Problem solving
Report writing
Time management

Professional accreditation:

Subjects offered in combination with German may offer suitable accreditation by related professional bodies

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What do German graduates earn?

German graduates can expect an entry-level salary of around £19,000–£23,000.

Your ability to adapt to new situations and people could lend itself to sales or marketing roles. At a senior level, sales and marketing managers can earn upwards of £60,000 – and there may be performance-related pay and bonuses on top.

If you want to continue using your language skills directly, you could train as a teacher. German is taught in many schools, and classroom teacher pay increases from £25,700 as a newly qualified teacher to £41,600 with experience.

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What jobs can you get as a German graduate?

Many German graduates go on to study further or become teachers, either of foreign languages in the UK or of English abroad. The language and communication skills gained from this course could also enable you to find work in fields from accountancy to journalism.

Accountant
Advertising account planner
Editor
Freight forwarder
Intelligence officer
Interpreter
IT project manager
Journalist
Lecturer
Librarian
Retail merchandiser
Teacher
TESOL tutor
Translator

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Postgraduate opportunities are likely to require degree-level competence in German. Graduates with a German degree will require a PGCE if they wish to become a teacher. Examples of postgraduate courses include:

German and Comparative Literature MLitt
German MPhil/PhD
Language, Culture and History: German Studies MA
Interpreting and Translating – Russian and German MA

Similar subjects to German

If you’re interested in other cultures or languages, you could also consider these subjects:

Have any questions?

If you’ve got any questions about studying German, you can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!