The MA in Language, Culture and History: German Studies allows you to explore German literature, culture, history, politics, and social thought through themed and theory‑based study. You can focus on areas that interest you by choosing from a range of optional modules. There is also the option to develop your German language skills through text‑based language classes.
The course includes a compulsory core module that introduces research methods, historiography, and approaches to literary and cultural studies. This module provides a strong foundation at graduate level and helps you develop the skills needed to carry out research and write academic essays and your final dissertation.
In addition to the core module, you will take optional modules and complete a dissertation. The optional modules you choose will include both language‑specific topics and broader cultural subjects. These cover areas such as literature, film, history, and linguistics, using an interdisciplinary approach. More details are available on the Postgraduate Modules page.
The MA provides an excellent foundation year for subsequent doctoral research in all areas of our research specialisms. Many students progress from our MA course to an MPhil or PhD research degree.
Modern Languages graduates are highly valued by employers for their linguistic and cultural knowledge, and for their set of transferable skills. These include the ability to speak, understand and write in a foreign language, intercultural understanding, translation and communication skills, and analytical rigour.
With their specialist knowledge and language skills, German Master’s graduates can be found in the fields of business, finance, the media, international agencies, research and academia.
With their specialist knowledge and language skills, German Studies Master’s graduates go on to work in varied roles across the public, private and charitable sectors such as heritage or international agencies, as well as working as language consultants and teachers.
Recent graduates from our Language Culture and History MA courses, have gone on to work in a range of challenging careers from IT and technology to museums and university teaching. Our graduates are found in sectors such as publishing, journalism and translation (11.1%); PR, advertising and marketing (3.7%); media (7.4%); teaching and other educational activities (18.5%). They have gone on to work for employers such as the BBC, Toyota and the Financial Conduct Authority. Others have gone onto further study. *