German BA

Germany is one of the world’s largest economies and has become a key player in European and global politics. Its language is widely spoken across Europe, especially in the emerging markets of Central and Eastern Europe.

A German degree from Leeds will allow you to become fluent in this powerful language while giving you a genuine insight into German culture and society in the 20th and 21st century – equipping you with valuable skills that make you highly attractive to employers.

You’ll consolidate and develop your spoken and written German through core language modules. You'll also choose from a wide range of optional modules including applied language (translation and language for professional purposes) and modules exploring various aspects of German culture, history and politics.

The size of our department allows us to offer a wide variety of module choice, a range of co-curricular events and our student-led German Society contributes to a strong sense of community.

Specialist facilities

Our Language Centre offers plenty of facilities for language students, including digital language labs, audio/video practice booths and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). There’s also an extensive lending library of foreign films and newspapers as well as other on-demand resources.

You'll be able to use our German Studies library collections which include leading German newspapers as well as a range of materials in 20th century Germany culture and history.

If you’re interested in translation studies, our Electronic Resource Information Centre houses specialised computing facilities and the Interpreter Training Suites offer you the chance to explore a career in interpreting.

Your first two years will be spent consolidating and building your language skills in core language modules. In your first year, you will also explore key aspects of 20th and 21st century German culture, history and society and develop important study skills. You'll choose from modules in translation, German history, world literatures, world histories, linguistics and intercultural competence.

In your second year, you'll choose from subjects as diverse as German cinema, translation, Germany in the 21st century, marginalised voices in German-speaking countries and Black Europe.

It’s all designed to prepare you for your year abroad, which you’ll usually spend in either Germany or Austria, refining your language skills and gaining first-hand experience of the local culture.

When you return to Leeds for your final year, you’ll have a fresh perspective on your studies, which will incorporate advanced language learning alongside further optional modules. These will allow you to explore topics such as contemporary German cinema, German memory of the Nazi past or the Holocaust in German and Western Culture, or to focus on translation or German for business. You’ll also apply the critical skills you have developed to an independently researched Final Year Project on a subject of your choice.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read German BA in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

We use a range of different learning and teaching styles to help you benefit from the expertise of our tutors. They include lectures, seminars and tutorials, or occasionally workshops.

Independent study is also an important theme throughout your course, since it allows you to develop your research skills and think critically about what you read. We have excellent library resources to help you, and the University Library runs training programmes to help you get the best of them.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We also use various types of assessment. Coursework makes up the majority of our assessments, often including language portfolios and essays. In some modules, you may also be assessed by group projects, professional language projects, podcasts, video blogs, business pitches, posters or mini exhibitions.

We offer support in these areas as well. Support for assessments is integrated into our teaching and you'll usually have the opportunity for formative assessments that allow you to practice your skills and do well in your formal assessments. We also run extra classes on skills such as public speaking, structuring essays and exam technique that you’ll be able to attend throughout your time at Leeds.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB including B in German.

Other course specific tests:

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be BBB at A Level including German and grade A in the EPQ.

We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required. This course has additional subject specific requirements. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

• BTEC

  We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  M1, M1, M1 including German.

• International Baccalaureate

  34 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 6 in German at Higher Level.

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 including H3 in German

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  BB in Advanced Highers including German and AABBB in Highers, or B in German in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers.

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.

• Other Qualifications

  European Baccalaureate: 77% including 80% in German.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level including B in German and pass Access to Leeds.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, contact the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies admissions team.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Undergraduate Admissions Policy 2020

Fees

UK/EU: See fees section below

International: £19,500 (per year)

Undergraduate tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2021/22 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in summer. When the fee is confirmed, we will publish an update on this website.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

You'll graduate with proficiency in one of Europe’s most commonly-used languages and have a real appreciation of the culture in one of the world’s major economic powerhouse. Combining your knowledge with experience of living abroad provides you with access to a wide range of careers in Germany and elsewhere around the world.

Your degree will also equip you with valuable skills such as teamwork, presentation, communication, research, critical thinking and analysis which are highly desirable to all kinds of employers. These qualities will open doors to a wide range of careers across different industries.

Recent graduates have pursued careers in areas such as journalism, PR, business and finance, HR, law, teaching and social work. They’ve gone to work in organisations such as the NHS, the Department for Work and Pensions, Mitchells and Butler and Deutsche Bank.

Others have studied for a postgraduate qualification in translating or interpreting to pursue language-based careers or continued to study German language or culture to Masters level, either for a PhD and career in academia or to further their knowledge.

We are committed to helping you achieve your career ambitions. The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies careers and employability support includes promoting internships, providing opportunities to work for the School and employer-led workshops and events.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

You’ll spend your third year in a German-speaking country, immersing yourself in local culture and cultivating your language skills. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll gain a new insight into German-speaking society as well as valuable experience of adapting to another culture. For many of our students, it’s the real highlight of their course.

Study abroad

We have partnerships with a number of universities in Germany where you can study alongside German students.

Work placement

Alternatively, you could undertake a paid work placement either with one of our partner firms or with an organisation of your choice. You could even work as a language assistant in a school under the British Council’s programme.