Undergraduate study | German

Study German with us and learn the language while studying literature, film and theatre, all within the context of historical and political developments, from the 18th century to contemporary times.

Why study German in Edinburgh? 

  • Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.
  • Go abroad for the first of your honours years - Year 3.
  • Build up to fluency in one of Europe's most widely spoken languages, and specialise in different aspects of German studies as you move through your degree.
  • Learn in an historic, capital city where we have taught German for over a century.
  • Explore fantastic libraries, collections and galleries at the University and in the city.
  • Join societies, attend events, and gain the skills and confidence for life after university. 

My favourite aspect of studying German at the University of Edinburgh is the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of German-language literature and film. The combination of quality teaching and rich class discussion gives you fresh insight into the complex cultural histories of the German-speaking world, and allows you to reconsider their modern day relevance.

Jolie, Year 4, German and English Literature MA (Hons)

Single and joint honours degree programmes

If you would like to take an undergraduate MA Hons degree programme in German, you can:

  • take a single honours degree in German
  • take any of the following joint honours degree programmes...
French and GermanGerman and SpanishGerman and Portuguese
German and Russian StudiesGerman and Scandinavian StudiesChinese and German
German and LinguisticsGerman and English LanguageGerman and English Literature
German and PhilosophyGerman and ClassicsGerman and History
German and History of ArtGerman and PoliticsGerman and Social Policy
German and BusinessInternational Business with German*Law and German*

* Please note that these degree combinations do not have the same structure as all the others, though they are still four-year degrees with a study abroad element.

To study on any of our undergraduate programmes, you must apply through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

The UCAS site will show you if any of our German degree progammes remain open for application for September 2026 entry.


If you have applied to start studying German with us in September 2026, and would like a reminder of what our programmes involve and where they might take you, check out Degree Finder for 2026 entry.

Keen to get a head start for 2027?

There’s lots of information about our undergraduate German programmes on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder.

For example, you can find out about:

  • the courses you will take each year
  • how you will be taught and assessed
  • the support we offer
  • entrance requirements
  • English language requirements
  • fees and funding opportunities
  • student societies and living in Edinburgh

For programmes starting in September 2027, choose 2027 entry.

Information correct as of May 2026
See full student Terms & Conditions

Skills and experience

Studying one or more languages to degree level demonstrates that you're a good communicator, a resilient problem solver, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas – what employers value as intercultural competence.

Beyond the language skills you'll develop on our programmes, and the nuanced understanding you will gain of other cultures and societies, graduating with a four-year honours degree from the University of Edinburgh shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility.

The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers when you graduate include the ability to:

  • understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
  • manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
  • work independently and as part of a group

Opportunities across sectors

Our programmes are an excellent primer for a range of careers, especially those that place a premium on thinking that is both disciplined and imaginative.

Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous graduates have gone on to work in:

  • business, finance, commerce and tech
  • communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
  • education, outreach, advocacy and training
  • journalism, broadcasting and media
  • leisure, tourism and travel
  • politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
  • publishing, culture, heritage and the arts
  • research, development, consultancy and venture acceleration
  • translating and interpreting

Local and global opportunities

With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is demand for our graduates in Scotland, the UK and abroad.

Wherever you are based in the world, the ability to communicate in another language, and to understand the cultures to which it opens doors, will make you stand out.

If you are keen to work abroad, it’s good to know that more people speak German as their first language than any other in Europe.

An official language of seven European countries and provinces, German also plays an important role in communications in many other countries, particularly in central and eastern Europe.

German is the third most popular language taught worldwide. German speakers are highly sought after by UK employers, particularly those with links to the German economy, the fourth largest in the world.

Further study

The enhanced research skills you will develop on a four-year programme, particularly in your honours years, are a valuable asset if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level. 

At the University of Edinburgh, we typically offer a Masters by Research degree in German and taught masters programmes in:

  • Comparative Literature
  • Intermediality
  • Translation Studies

Any of our masters degrees, whether research-based or taught, is a good foundation for a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.


QS World Rankings by Subject 2026

The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK for Modern Languages and for Arts and Humanities.

Globally, we’re in the World Top 15: Modern Languages (12) and Arts and Humanities (9).

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings are based on research citations and the results of major global surveys of employers and academics.

They are International Ranking Expert Group (IREG) approved.

Graphic of a person with a phone and the words #3 in the UK World Top 15

Get to know us better

Thinking of joining us? Explore what it's like to study and live in Edinburgh. 

Join us for an Open Day or Online Information Session

Talk to a current student 

Other ways to learn German at Edinburgh

If you take a different degree at the University of Edinburgh, you can still learn German with us!

Many undergraduate degrees at Edinburgh enable you to try different subjects in your first two years. If you are studying on one of these degrees, you can take German as an option course - sometimes known as an 'elective course' or 'outside subject'. 

There are Year 1 courses for complete beginners and students with different levels of prior experience. All of them feed into Year 2 courses if you like German and want to progress further.

Discover a world of languages graphic

German is also available as part of the University's free Open Languages offer of 20 credit courses taken over one semester. Again, you can start at various levels.

Through the Centre for Open Learning, you can also opt to pay to take German as a short Lifelong Learning course. These courses typically run three times a year for 10 weeks in the evening. 

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