BA (Hons)
German Studies
Explore German history, culture and politics
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Germany has changed beyond recognition in our lifetime: its borders, economy, political identity and demography have all dramatically changed.
If you enjoy learning German and want to learn more about this fascinating country, this 25-year running course ticks all the boxes.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Take specialist options on topics such as the division of Germany after the Second World War
- Have the choice to study or work abroad east or west Germany at one of our six partner institutions, or even Salzburg in Austria
- Take on a third language in your second year, options include a European language from those mentioned above, or British Sign Language, Arabic, Mandarin, Portuguese or Japanese
What opportunities might it lead to?
Perhaps the most obvious job is teaching languages, but in fact this represents only a small proportion of the career pathways that will be open to you. Language graduates are amongst the most successful in finding jobs after graduation.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- travel and tourism
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- marketing
- translation
- the media and international organisations
- journalism
The German Studies course has been enjoyable in a number of ways – from the friendly and encouraging tutors to the variety of units on offer.
Natalie Wardrop, BA (Hons) German Studies student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- R210
- Duration
- 4 years full time with language year abroad
- Entry
200-280 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8299 - Department
- School of Languages and Area Studies
Subject:
Modern Languages and Area Studies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Combining language learning with the study of culture and politics, promoting a deeper understanding of a country/countries of study
- Fantastic opportunities for spending a year abroad
- Interactive and practical nature of studying that will prepare you for a wide range of careers
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
This year is your introduction to and the beginning of your in-depth study of the German-speaking world. You will focus on contemporary Germany from a historical and social perspective with an exploration of the effects of the country’s re-unification.
Core units in this year include:
- German General Language Grade 1 & 2 OR German General Language Grade 3 & Language Project
- Introduction to German Studies
- The Making of Modern Europe 1500 – 1990
- Studying at University
- Developing Research Skills
Year two
Continue to study units in German language with the choice to start a beginner’s course in a third language if you wish. Preparation for your year abroad and preliminary work on your dissertation is also incorporated into this year.
Core units in this year include:
- German General Language Grade 3 & 4 OR German General Language Grade 4 & Language For Professional Communication 1
- Politics in Post-War Germany 1945 - 1990
Options to choose from in this year include:
- German Unity and its Consequences
- Text and Translation
- Business and Markets in Global Environment
- Nation, Language and Identity
- Culture and Ideas in Twentieth Century Europe
- Managing Across Cultures
Final year*
Complete your dissertation in your final year and specialise in the topics that intrigue you the most.
Core units in this year include:
- German General Language Grade 6
- Language for Professional Communication 2
- Coming to Terms with the Nazi Past: 1945 - Today
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Nazi Germany
- Translation Theory and Practice
*On this programme you will spend your third year in a German-speaking country
Teaching and Assessment
We provide a varied, creative and stimulating learning environment. Teaching is via lectures and seminars which are supported by the University’s interactive learning facilities. Classes may also take the form of hands-on skills development sessions where you learn how to access electronic resources in our MELISSI multimedia digital classrooms (they are much more than language laboratories!) or via small oral practice classes with Language Assistants.
How are you assessed?
Our assessment methods are varied, with relatively few formal examinations. Here’s how we assess your work:
- written essays and reports
- case studies
- book reviews
- group and individual projects
- oral presentations
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Year Abroad
Study or work abroad as part of your degree
Learning Resources Centre
A variety of resources are available
Language Laboratories
Language labs offering a rich and effective multimedia language environment
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books
Year Abroad
On this programme you will spend your third year in a country where your target languages are spoken. You may take advantage of our well-established links with universities in France, Germany, Spain, West Africa and Latin America, should you wish to spend this period studying; alternatively, with University approval, you may be able to arrange a work placement abroad.
Learning Resources Centre
You will have access to our recently refurbished Learning Resource Centre, which provides access to texts, study rooms, software, computers and a wireless laptop area that can augment your learning outside the classroom, enhance your research and support your assignment work.
Language Laboratories
We have four state-of-the-art Sony Virtuoso Language Laboratories, where you can manipulate video, sound, text and Internet sources in a rich, multimedia language-learning environment. Our staff are at the forefront in exploiting the potential afforded by this technology to create their own packages of materials.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Language is used in a range of professional contexts – not just language teaching. Your transferable skills and intercultural awareness can be used in many careers across the private, public and voluntary sectors. This course is great preparation for work at home or abroad and you will have a very wide range of career paths open to you.
Like all modern language graduates you will be highly employable. You can expect to find work in areas as diverse as management, banking, marketing and sales, commerce, export, tourism and the media, among others.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- bilingual consultant
- multilingual project coordinator
- translator
- market analyst
- contracts representative
Work experience
Would you like to live in Germany or a German-speaking country for a year? Time spent abroad will enhance your intercultural awareness, which is a quality increasingly appreciated by employers in a globalised economy.
Work as a teaching assistant in a school in Germany or Austria, in cities such as Bremen, Marburg, Duisburg or Salzburg, among others.
This course also allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which means you can earn credits towards your degree for work, volunteer and research placements that you’re involved in alongside your study.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more