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German Studies

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Why study German at Durham?

We offer a rich selection of challenging and rewarding seminars in German culture, addressing both urgent contemporary and live historical issues through literature, film and visual culture. Seminar themes include: identity, gender, violence, justice, memory, revolution, resistance, trauma, and love, all approached through a wide range of materials drawn from various periods of German history.

In practical language classes, students engage with authentic materials and contemporary issues while strengthening their grasp of spoken and written German across a spectrum of skills including presentation, debate, translation, and interpreting.

 

University student
Studying German ab initio at Durham has been amazing! I loved the course so much and felt so supported by the teachers here that I changed my degree. I can safely say that it was the right decision!

Eleonora
Durham University languages student
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BA Modern Languages and Cultures

Find out how to apply, all course details and structure, entry requirements and more.

Visit BA Modern Languages and Cultures course page

Enjoy expert teaching

All our lecturers are research experts in what they teach. Durham's teaching philosophy is to share the lecturers' own learning experience with students in class, so that students are always at the centre of the action. Our research-led teaching culminates in close collaboration between students and expert researchers on the final-year dissertation.

 

University student
Having only studied the language at school, I’ve loved having the chance to explore various aspects of German culture whilst at Durham. From Enlightenment era philosophy to Weimar cinema and pop-feminist fiction, you can truly find what interests you, and in my case finding that passion has now even led me to applying for postgraduate study.

Keely
Durham University languages student

Take your German to another level

Students welcome the fact that we teach many of our modules, including our cultural seminars, through the medium of German. This means students are using their German actively from day one of their studies, and can operate in the target language at a high level in a range of contexts by the time they graduate. This pays dividends in future professional life. All of our lecturers have native or near-native German.

 

University student
As a student new to German, I have a language class where we work on reading, listening, speaking and grammar – not only have we all become fast friends, it’s also a really safe learning environment.

Freya
Durham University languages student

Be part of a vibrant community

According to the Complete University Guide (2025), German at Durham ranks in fourth place nationwide. Students particularly like the regular contact with their lecturers to monitor academic progress, the fact that many of our cultural modules are taught in German, the extensive written and spoken feedback on their assignments, and the strong sense of community among students and staff in German.

University student
Languages as a subject can be daunting, but everyone is in the same boat. I started German from scratch last year, and my amazing teachers have taught me so much. Our class has always felt like a safe space where you’re free to make mistakes without judgement

Iris
Durham University languages student

Study or work abroad

Our students spend the third year of their degree abroad, often splitting their time between a German-speaking country and a country speaking their other main language of study. Some students teach English as a British Council language assistant; others work in the private and cultural sectors, in translation companies, or in theatres, galleries and museums. Other students take university courses in a German-speaking academic environment. We currently have exchanges with the Universities of Tübingen, Köln, Freiburg, Regensburg, Konstanz and Heidelberg in Germany.

 

University student
At the start of the degree, the year abroad seemed so distant – but before I knew it, I was out there learning invaluable lessons and having the time of my life! From doing a British Council Assistantship in Lüneburg to interning at a consulting firm in Paris, I enjoyed the change of pace from university life, as well as the ample off-hours to explore the surrounding areas to my heart’s content.

Anita
Durham University languages student

Hear from our alumna Rosie Watkins

Rosie took the BA in Modern Languages and Cultures with Year Abroad, specializing in French and German and graduating in 2019. She now works for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
Read the interview with Rosie

Discover more

Find out more about our members of staff responsible for German studies, other language courses, employability, study abroad and scholarships.

Modules

Find out more about our modules for German Studies.
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Staff

See a complete list of all members of staff responsible for German studies.
Staff Meeting

Courses

Find out more about other language courses we offer.
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Study Abroad

Find out more about where and how to study abroad.
Study abroad

Employability

Find out more about job prospects and careers with a degree from MLaC.
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Scholarships

Find out more about scholarships for eligible undergraduate students.
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BA Modern Languages and Cultures Course Page

Find out how to apply, all course details and structure, entry requirements and more.
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