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.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAAB
- Minimum entry grades:
- AABB
- 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.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAB
- Minimum entry grades:
- ABB
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- Standard entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,6,5)
- Minimum entry grades:
- 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.
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SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing science
- Geography
- Lifeskills Mathematics (A grade)
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
-
GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
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 native speakers.
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. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.
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. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.
Modules
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).
Two different types of modules are offered in first year:
- intensive foundation courses for beginners or students with an SQA National 5 or GCSE in German
- advanced language and literature courses for those with higher entrance qualifications such as an SQA Higher or GCE A-level.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
- The Age of Goethe
- Unification to the First World War
- Medieval German Language and Literature
- Weimar Republic: 1918-1933
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.
The compulsory modules listed here must be taken in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules appropriate to the programme for the current academic year can be found in the programme requirements.
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.
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 Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
Fees
Scotland
£1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
£9,250
Channel Islands, Isle of Man
£9,250
EU and overseas
£30,160
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.
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 | UCAS code |
---|---|
Master of Arts (Honours) Ancient History and German | RVG1 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Ancient History and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVF1 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic and German | RT26 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RTF6 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Art History and German | RV23 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Art History and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVF3 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and German | RV26 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVFP |
Master of Arts (Honours) Chinese Studies and German | CH07 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Chinese Studies and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | CW07 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Comparative Literature and German | QR22 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Comparative Literature and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | QR2F |
Master of Arts (Honours) Economics and German | LR12 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Economics and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | LRC2 |
Master of Arts (Honours) English and German | QR32 |
Master of Arts (Honours) English and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | QRH2 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Film Studies and German | PR32 |
Master of Arts (Honours) Film Studies and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | PR3F |
Master of Arts (Honours) French and German | RR12 |
Master of Arts (Honours) French and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RRC2 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and International Relations | LR22 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and International Relations (With Integrated Year Abroad) | LRF2 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Italian | RR23 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Italian (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RR32 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Management | NR22 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Management (With Integrated Year Abroad) | NRF2 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Mathematics | R2G1 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Mathematics (With Integrated Year Abroad) | GR21 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Medieval History | RV2C |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Medieval History (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVFC |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Middle East Studies | TRP2 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Middle East Studies (With Integrated Year Abroad) | TR62 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Modern History | RV21 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Modern History (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVGC |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Persian | R2T6 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Persian (With Integrated Year Abroad) | R26T |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Philosophy | RV25 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Philosophy (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVF5 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Psychology | CR82 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Psychology (With Integrated Year Abroad) | CR8F |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Russian | RR27 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Russian (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RRF7 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Social Anthropology | LR62 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Social Anthropology (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RL26 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Spanish | RR24 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Spanish (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RRF4 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Sustainable Development | F888 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Sustainable Development (With Integrated Year Abroad) | F884 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Theological Studies | RVG6 |
Master of Arts (Honours) German and Theological Studies (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVF6 |
Joint subject degree exception
German and Management MAhas specific conditions attached.
Triple subject degree options
It is also possible to take German as part of a Modern Languages Honours degree including either three modern languages or two modern languages and one additional subject. Find out more about the German MA triple subject combinations
German and Management has specific conditions.
"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:
- Master of Arts (Honours) 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'.
Careers
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
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 3663
- germanhod@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- Department of German
Buchanan Building
Union Street
St Andrews
KY16 9PH
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