German is spoken as a first language by approximately 100 million people, and is widely used as a second language, especially in Eastern Europe. Germany is the UK's most important trading partner and remains the powerhouse of the European Union; contacts with Germany are of ever-increasing importance for the governments, businesses and citizens of the new Europe.
The culture of the German-speaking countries is exceptionally rich and vibrant. 18% of the books published worldwide each year are in German. German-speaking writers, thinkers and artists have long been and continue to be at the forefront of intellectual life.
Options for studying German at Oxford
German can be studied on its own OR in combination with one of the following languages/subjects:
- A modern European language: French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Modern Greek, or Czech (with Slovak). Students who do not have an A level or equivalent in the relevant language may (in all cases, except French or Spanish) combine German with a Beginners’ version of the language. It is also possible to combine German with Polish or Celtic. We generally expect all students wishing to study Celtic or Polish to be beginners, though those with experience are also very welcome to apply.
- A Middle Eastern Language offered by the Faculty of Oriental Studies: Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Turkish. These languages are all available to beginners with no prior knowledge of the language.
- English
- Classics
- History
- Linguistics
- Philosophy
The study of European languages at Oxford provides both practical training in written and spoken language and an extensive introduction to the literature and thought of the language(s) you have chosen. You will learn to write and speak the language(s) fluently, and will be able to choose from a broad range of options including linguistics, film studies and advanced translation. You can study the literature of a language chronologically or focus on particular periods - the medieval, the early modern or the modern era.
A degree in German, or German combined with another language/subject, is normally four years in length. Modern Language students usually spend the third year of their course abroad (except if they are taking Beginners’ Russian, in any available combination, in which case they spend the second year abroad). This is often as a paid language assistant in a foreign school, though you may work abroad or study at a foreign university.
German with a Middle Eastern language (BA in European and Middle Eastern Languages)
If you are studying for a joint degree combining German with Arabic, Hebrew, Persian or Turkish, you will spend around half your time studying German language and literature, and around half studying the other language and related literature. In the first year, there is less literature in the European language to allow for intensive focus on the Middle Eastern language. You will normally spend your second academic year at an approved course of study in the Middle East. You are strongly advised to spend the adjacent summers where the European language of your choice is spoken.
German and another subject (English, Classics, History, Linguistics, Philosophy)
If you are studying for a joint degree combing German with another subject, around half of the degree programme will consist of German language and literature, and around half will be made up of courses related to the other subject.
