German, MA (Hons)

Course summary

For centuries, German-speaking cultures have had a profound international influence. Over one third of Europeans speak German as their first language, and the language ranks in the world's top 20. It is particularly important within business and politics. Across all four years of our wide-ranging programme, including a year abroad, your studies will give you the chance to gain professional skills in all aspects of German, including:

• reading and listening

• writing and translating

• speaking and presenting

As well as language learning, you will also explore German-language literature, film and theatre. You will study these in the context of historical and political developments, from the eighteenth century to contemporary times.On joining us, beginners take our German 1A course. Students with more experience of learning the language typically take German 1B.By your final year, you will have developed the linguistic, critical and analytical skills to the standard of completing a dissertation in German. Why EdinburghAs a world-leading festival and capital city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study a modern language in its cultural context.German has been taught here since 1894, making it one of the first European languages to be offered at Edinburgh.Studying over four years enables you to choose courses, including from other disciplines, that match your own interests, expertise and employability needs. It gives you the blend of specialist skills and Intercultural Competence valued in a range of careers around the globe.We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.One of the most attractive characteristics of this four-year programme is its flexibility. In Years 1 and 2, your pre-honours years, you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines in addition to your core subject of German. As well as broadening your education and skill set, this may enable you to change the focus of your programme in Years 3 and 4, your honours years.

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