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School of Modern Languages

Our courses

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German BA (Hons)

This German degree will equip you with advanced skills in the German language, as well as offering a broad range of specialised and detailed insights into the culture, society and history of the German-speaking lands. At the centre of the degree is the language itself with core modules which develop your language skills year on year, focusing on practical areas such as the language required for the year abroad and the world of work. This single honours German degree course will furnish you with extensive knowledge of the heritage and culture of modern Germany and Austria. You will also have the added bonus of studying Dutch in your second year which opens up further horizons within Europe. 

Why choose Bangor?

  • Bangor’s School of Modern Languages consistently ranks amongst the highest rated schools in its subject area in the National Student Survey.
  • Our size means that we offer learning on a human scale, in small classes, where you get to know the staff and your fellow students.
  • At the same time, our very large and varied range of option modules enables you to tailor your degree to your personal needs.
  • Some options are taught through the medium of German, others through English.
  • Bangor's Modern Language graduates have a very good track record in gaining employment.
  • Degree structures are flexible, allowing you to change your degree at the end of year 1 if you wish.

What will I study?

As well as the core language modules, the syllabus of our German degree includes a wide range of stimulating options; students of single honours are able to study a full range of these. First-year courses include an introduction to the history, culture, cinema, and literatures of Europe. Second- and final-year options offer increasing levels of specialisation as you progress towards your degree. The topics cover a range of cultural and literary material and reflect staff research specialisms. The current syllabus includes modules devoted to the modern novel, German national identity, modern Austria, women's history, the history of East Germany and German film.

Residence Abroad:
The third year is spent in a German-speaking country. Your options are:

  • A paid work placement as an English assistant in schools. Our students have an excellent track record in getting their first choice of placement, whether in Germany or Austria.
  • Study at one of our Erasmus partner universities, which include Leipzig, Passau, Tübingen, Heidelberg, Chemnitz, Mainz and Jena in Germany, and Vienna, Innsbruck and Klagenfurt in Austria.
  • A work placement under the Leonardo Scheme in the industry of your choice. 

In each case you also complete a dissertation whilst abroad, which counts towards your Bangor degree.

How will I learn?

For more on studying degree courses see our Study at Bangor section.

You will have 3-4 hours of language classes each week plus classes in your other chosen modules. Tuition is mainly in small groups and there are few formal lectures.

Assessment involves coursework and written and oral examinations. You will also complete a dissertation as part of your degree.

Career prospects

Studying Modern Languages opens the door to a wide variety of careers. Many Bangor Modern Languages graduates have, of course, gone into teaching and translating, but just as many have embarked upon successful careers in the civil service, business and commerce, industry and the media. The skills you learn whilst studying languages - cultural awareness, communication, accuracy, planning and logical analysis - are valued highly by employers from all sectors of the economy.

Joint honours degrees

You can study German as a Joint Honours Degree with one of the following subjects (see Single or Joint Honours for explanation): Accounting, Banking, Business Studies, Creative Studies, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Economics, English, English Language, Film Studies, French, History, Italian, Linguistics, Management, Marketing, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, Sport Science, Welsh. Please see Joint Language Honours, Another Subject plus a Modern Language (Arts and Social Science Subjects) or Another Subject plus a Modern Language (Business-Related Subjects) for further information.

Quotes

"The solicitous care taken by the staff of students' welfare as well as their academic work has resulted in a group of finalists who were very happy and satisfied with the quality of their four years studying German at Bangor."

External Examiner's Report

Course facts

UCAS course code: R200 BA/Ger

Length: 4 years

Entry requirements

Please also read our Entry Requirements section.

  • 240-260 points normally including German at A2-level
  • We consider mature students on individual merit.

Want to know more?

Please contact:

Ms Moira Tait
School of Modern Languages
Tel: 01248 382131
E-mail: m.tait@bangor.ac.uk
www.bangor.ac.uk/ml