German and Social Policy

The German-speaking world has a fascinating social and political history. German and Social Policy makes an excellent joint honours choice by combining the study of:

• a modern language in its cultural, social and political context

• the distribution of welfare and wellbeing within societies, and the policies which influence that distribution

• option courses from a wide range of disciplines

German

Across all four years of our programme, including a year abroad, your studies will give you the chance to gain professional skills in all aspects of German, including:

• reading and listening

• writing and translating

• speaking and presenting

As well as language learning, you will explore German-language literature, film and theatre. You will study these in the context of historical and political developments, from the eighteenth century to contemporary times.

On this programme, you will take one of the following as your first language course:

• German 1A - for beginners

• German 1B - for students with more experience of learning the language

By your final year, you will have developed the linguistic, critical and analytical skills to the standard of completing a dissertation or long essay.

Social Policy

You will focus on social and economic change, what causes it, and its consequences for society.

Learning about the UK's policy-making process, you will explore how policies are developed. You will also study the influence of international bodies such as the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

We deal with a wide array of policy areas, for example:

• health and welfare

• education and labour markets

• family and childhood

We work closely with:

• governments

• NGOs

• third sector and interest representation groups

• international organisations and other external actors

International comparative analyses are one of our main strengths, and we place a strong emphasis on providing our students with empirical research skills.

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading festival and capital city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study a modern language in its cultural context and alongside social policy.

We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.

Today, graduating with a degree in German and Social Policy from Edinburgh gives you the blend of specialist skills and intercultural awareness valued in a range of careers around the globe.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including a year abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in both of your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of subjects and disciplines. This may enable you to change the focus of your programme.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 abroad, gaining lived experience of German-language culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics in or approaches to German and Social Policy.

Programme benefits

• Learn in an historic, capital city where German has been taught for over a century.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in one of Europe's most widely spoken languages.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Join societies related to what you are studying.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.