As an MA (Hons) student of German, you will develop language and communications skills to a high level of proficiency. By studying German at St Andrews, you can follow your own particular interests by choosing from a broad range of course options that reflect and explore the rich cultural heritage of the German-speaking lands, including:

medieval studies

film, television and visual culture

intellectual history

literature and society from the 18th century to the present day

The MA (Hons) in German uses a specially designed language teaching programme to support both students who have already studied German as a main subject at school and beginners.

Course details

The MA (Hons) in German is a four-year course run by the School of Modern Languages. The course is available to both students who are beginners in German and to more advanced students who have studied German to A-Level, SQA Higher or equivalent.

In the first two years, students will take modules which complement their level of German entering the degree. Students of all levels will build on existing skills in German and are offered a broad view of German literature and culture.

Alongside German, in the first year of your studies, you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year, you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.

During your third year, you have the opportunity to study at one of the University’s partner institutions in a German-speaking country. In this case, study undertaken in another country replaces equivalent study in St Andrews. Studying abroad is optional. You may also choose to spend an integrated year abroad working or studying in a German-speaking country and return for two Honours years.

In your Honours years, you will take modules focused on communication skills and can choose to specialise in a number of areas such as German literature and culture from earlier periods to the present day, and on German intellectual history and thought.

Graduates in Modern Languages from St Andrews can expect to have not only a high level of competency in language skills, but a highly developed appreciation for other cultures and peoples as well as a more critical understanding of their own perspectives and cultures. Other transferable skills, including analysis, synthesis and communication skills, will prepare you for a career in almost any industry.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits.

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“I love the wide range of modules available within the German department ranging from medieval Germany to contemporary German film. All of the modules are taught in small and friendly classes which allow me to gain a great deal from every session through interaction with other students and the staff. There’s always something new to learn and I always look forward to going to class.”

- Lancashire, England

How it's taught

Teaching

All modern language modules involve a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical language classes. Lectures provide information, stimulate thought, and suggest directions for further reading and personal study. Small language tutorials allow you to actively work together with your tutors to practice language skills, present papers, and discuss texts and issues relevant to the course.

Sub-honours German modules are delivered through lectures (typically 20 to 40 students), seminars (typically 10 students), language classes and oral classes.

At Honours level, you will attend small seminars and language classes (typically 10 to 18 students).

When not attending lectures, seminars and language classes, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:

working on individual and group projects

undertaking research in the library

preparing coursework assignments and presentations

preparing for examinations

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Assessment

Modules in German are assessed by a combination of coursework and end-of-semester examinations, with the balance varying between modules.

Coursework can include:

advanced language exercises

discursive essays

oral presentations

other creative or research-based tasks

Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand. Examinations are either entirely in written format or comprise both written and oral components.

Tutors advise you closely on the preparation of written work and give individual assessments of your performance.

The Department aims to provide feedback on every assessment within three weeks to help you improve on future assessments.

Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team with expertise and knowledge of the German language. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of language classes and seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

You can find contact information for all German staff on the School of Modern Languages website.

The University's services and support teams can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities, as well as many other difficulties and challenges students might face while studying.

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours), you will take the required modules in German along with modules in at least one additional subject.

Typically, you will take three modules per semester during your first two years, and three or four modules per semester during your third and fourth year (known as Honours).

In second year, students coming from first year beginners' modules have their own intensive language courses. Non-language elements are integrated at this level: ex-beginners and ex-advanced students jointly extend their studies of German culture, including modern and medieval literature.

Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.

First year

Two different types of modules are offered in the first year:

Students who are beginners or who have studied German to National 5 or GCSE-level are required to take the following compulsory modules in their first year:

First Level German A 1: lays the foundation for study of German language, literature and culture at university level.

First Level German A 2: builds on the foundation study of German language and literature in First Level German A 1.

Students who have an SQA Higher or a GCE A-level in German are required to take the following compulsory modules in first year:

First Level German B 1: provides the first half of an intensive language programme for beginners and those with a National 5 or GCSE.

First Level German B 2: provides the second half of the intensive language course for beginners and those with a National 5 or GCSE, as well as an introduction to German literature and culture.

First-year literature and culture teaching will focus on The Making of Today’s Germany and Austria 1945 to the Present, and will foreground a diverse range of perspectives on post-war and contemporary German-speaking Europe.

Second year

Second Level Advanced German Language 1: This module builds on the language component of modules GM1001 and GM1002.

Second Level Advanced German Language 2: This module aims to enhance further students' skills in written and spoken German and their knowledge of contemporary German.

Second Level Ex-Beginners German Language 1: This module offers intensive language study for students who have completed the modules GM1003 and GM1004.

Second Level Ex-Beginners German Language 2: Building on GM2007, the module offers further intensive language study for students who took GM1003 and GM1004.

The Age of Goethe: The module introduces students to the age of Goethe, Germany's greatest poet, who lived from 1749 to 1832: lectures provide the literary and cultural background, while tutorials concentrate on significant and representative works.

Unification to the First World War: This module traces the literary and cultural history of Germany in the nineteenth century during the rise and fall of the Second Empire.

Medieval German Language and Literature: The module introduces students to Middle High German language and literature.

Weimar Republic: 1918-1933: This module offers an introduction to the literature and culture of the Weimar period: lectures offer a broad survey while tutorials focus on set texts.

In your third and fourth years, you will choose from a variety of advanced options which incorporate literary, historical and cultural studies into language learning. Students of all language levels take the same core modules in German language, including advanced oral, writing and communication skills. Modules at Honours level include (but are not limited to):

Masculinities in Contemporary German Film, TV and Literature

Medieval Things

Shakespeare: The German Catalyst

The Nazi Past in German Cultural Memory

Writing Nature: German Environmental Thought (1800-2000)

In fourth year, students have the option (subject to approval) of undertaking a dissertation of up to 10,000 words, written in English, on a topic of their choice. This independent project enables you to develop key research skills which are desired by both prospective employers and by graduate schools offering postgraduate degrees.

Fees and funding

Scotland: Tuition fees are yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.

England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man: £10,050 (yet to be confirmed by the UK Government)

EU and overseas: £34,910

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Entry requirements

The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about

Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.

SQA Highers

Standard entry grades:

Minimum entry grades:

Gateway entry grades:

Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.

GCE A-Levels

IB points

36 (HL 6,6,5)

36 (HL 6,5,5)

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

SQA qualifications

SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:

Chemistry

Computing science

Geography

Applications of Mathematics

Mathematics

Psychology.

GCSE qualifications

GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:

Computing Science

Other qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.

More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University's entry requirements web page.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No prior knowledge of German is necessary. Modules are not designed for speakers whose first or habitual language is German.

Alternative study options

Students interested in this course may also be interested in the following:

Integrated year abroad

Students may choose to spend an additional year working or studying in a German-speaking country. Find out more about the integrated year abroad for this course.

Study abroad

Students studying German can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. You may also have the opportunity to participate in the School Abroad exchange programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.

Working abroad

Completing a work placement abroad is a good opportunity to gain work experience in another culture or language and to enhance valuable skill sets. As part of specific degree programmes in modern languages, you may apply to undertake a work placement abroad for credit.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.

Joint Honours degrees

You can also take German as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.

Course name

Ancient History and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Arabic and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Art History and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Biblical Studies and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Chinese Studies and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Comparative Literature and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Economics and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

English and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Film Studies and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

French and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and International Relations (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Italian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Management (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Mathematics (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Medieval History (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Middle East Studies (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Modern History (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Persian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Philosophy (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Psychology (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Russian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Social Anthropology (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Spanish (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Sustainable Development (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German and Theological Studies (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Master of Arts (Honours) Ancient History and German

Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic and German

Master of Arts (Honours) Art History and German

Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and German

Master of Arts (Honours) Chinese Studies and German

Master of Arts (Honours) Comparative Literature and German

Master of Arts (Honours) Economics and German

Master of Arts (Honours) English and German

Master of Arts (Honours) Film Studies and German

Master of Arts (Honours) French and German

Master of Arts (Honours) German and International Relations

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Italian

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Management

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Mathematics

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Medieval History

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Middle East Studies

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Modern History

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Persian

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Philosophy

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Psychology

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Russian

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Social Anthropology

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Spanish

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Sustainable Development

Master of Arts (Honours) German and Theological Studies

Joint subject degree exception

German and Management MA has specific conditions attached.

Triple subject degree options

You can take German as part of a Modern Languages joint Honours degree. You would take German with two other modern languages or with one other modern language and one additional subject.

All German triple degrees are also available 'With Integrated Year Abroad'.

In taking a 'triple' modern languages degree, you are required to take core modules in all of your subjects.

Arabic, Comparative Literature and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Arabic, French and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Arabic, German and Italian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Arabic, German and Persian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Arabic, German and Russian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Arabic, German and Spanish (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Comparative Literature, French and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Comparative Literature, German and Italian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Comparative Literature, German and Russian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Comparative Literature, German and Spanish (With Integrated Year Abroad)

French, German and Italian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

French, German and Persian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

French, German and Russian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

French, German and Spanish (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German, Italian and Persian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German, Italian and Russian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German, Italian and Spanish (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German, Persian and Russian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German, Persian and Spanish (With Integrated Year Abroad)

German, Russian and Spanish (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic, Comparative Literature and German

Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic, German and Italian

Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic, German and Persian

Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic, German and Russian

Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic, German and Spanish

Master of Arts (Honours) Comparative Literature, French and German

Master of Arts (Honours) Comparative Literature, German and Italian

Master of Arts (Honours) Comparative Literature, German and Russian

Master of Arts (Honours) Comparative Literature, German and Spanish

Master of Arts (Honours) French, German and Italian

Master of Arts (Honours) French, German and Persian

Master of Arts (Honours) French, German and Russian

Master of Arts (Honours) French, German and Spanish

Master of Arts (Honours) German, Italian and Persian

Master of Arts (Honours) German, Italian and Russian

Master of Arts (Honours) German, Italian and Spanish

Master of Arts (Honours) German, Persian and Russian

Master of Arts (Honours) German, Persian and Spanish

Master of Arts (Honours) German, Russian and Spanish

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (Arabic and German) and Ancient History

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (Arabic and German) and English

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (Arabic and German) and International Relations

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (Arabic and German) and Management

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (French and German) and Ancient History

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (French and German) and English

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (French and German) and Greek

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (French and German) and International Relations

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (French and German) and Management

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Italian) and Ancient History

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Italian) and English

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Italian) and Greek

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Italian) and International Relations

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Italian) and Management

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Persian) and Ancient History

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Persian) and English

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Persian) and Greek

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Persian) and International Relations

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Persian) and Management

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Russian) and English

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Russian) and International Relations

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and Ancient History

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and English

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and Greek

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and International Relations

Master of Arts (Honours) Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and Management

Modern Languages (Arabic and German) and Ancient History (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (Arabic and German) and English (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (Arabic and German) and International Relations (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (Arabic and German) and Management (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (French and German) and Ancient History (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (French and German) and English (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (French and German) and Greek (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (French and German) and International Relations (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (French and German) and Management (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Italian) and Ancient History (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Italian) and English (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Italian) and Greek (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Italian) and International Relations (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Italian) and Management (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Persian) and Ancient History (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Persian) and English (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Persian) and Greek (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Persian) and International Relations (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Persian) and Management (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Russian) and English (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Russian) and International Relations (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and Ancient History (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and English (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and Greek (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and International Relations (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and Management (With Integrated Year Abroad)

"With" degrees

You can take German as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first name subject. St Andrews offers the following "with" degrees in German:

Economics with German (With Integrated Year Abroad) - UCAS code L1RF

Master of Arts (Honours) Economics with German - UCAS code L1R2

"With" degrees taken with German are also available 'With Integrated Year Abroad'.

Modern Languages graduates have an extremely good record of employment after graduating, not only in all sectors that require advanced language skills but also in professional environments that demand good communication and analytical skills.

Employers value language graduates because they demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal and intercultural skills.

Many graduates whether in the UK, in Germany, Austria or elsewhere, go on to:

specialise in translation and interpreting services, in language teaching, journalism or other sector-specific careers

join international institutions, charities and enterprises, working in international development departments, human resources, administration, media and communication jobs

start a career in the banking and financial sector

join the civil service, particularly in positions within the Foreign Office

continue to study at postgraduate level across a range of academic and vocational subjects.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

What to do next

Online information events

Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.

Undergraduate visiting days

We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.

Contact us

+44 (0)1334 46 3663Email

germanhod@st-andrews.ac.uk Address

Department of German

Buchanan Building

Union Street

St Andrews

KY16 9PH

Department of German website

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Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.

Page last updated: 3 June 2026

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