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German and History of Art

Course details
  • Master of Arts (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 13 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Central area campus

Course summary

For centuries, German-speaking cultures have had a profound international influence.

Studying German and History of Art helps you understand the contemporary world, and also sheds light on the past.

During your time with us, you will gain the skills to speak and write in German on a range of issues relating to Germany and German-speaking countries, including their visual and material culture.

German

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

  • German 1A - for beginners or those with limited experience of learning the language

  • German 1B - for students with a high level of competency in German

Across all four years of our programme, which includes 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

You will also 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.

You will gain an excellent grasp of the German cultural context and an ability to read important sources in the original language. You will therefore be able to compare the achievements of artists, writers and filmmakers from the German-speaking world.

History of Art

Beyond the German-speaking world, History of Art will introduce you to art from different periods and cultures around the globe.

You will learn how, and for whom, works of art were made. You will also explore their meaning and discover the ways in which they can be interpreted.

Why Edinburgh

Our programme is also flexible. In Years 1 and 2, as well as studying History of Art and German, you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines.

We are also 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.

When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.

Additionally, Edinburgh is a world-leading festival city filled with galleries, cinemas, theatres, libraries and collections. Highlights include the four National Galleries of Scotland, and outstanding German holdings in the National Library of Scotland.

Programme benefits

  • Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.

  • Go abroad for the first of your honours years - Year 3.

  • Build up to fluency in the German language, and specialise in different aspects of German studies and history of art as you move through your degree.

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

  • Explore fantastic libraries, collections and galleries at the University and in the city.

  • Join societies, attend events, and gain the skills and confidence for life after university.

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
RV23
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAA-ABB

Required subjects: A levels: no specific A level subjects required. GCSEs: a language other than English at B or 6; English at C or 4.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
ABBB

ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6 (Standard). ABBB by end of S6 (Minimum). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: a language other than English at B; English at C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 34

34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: a language other than English at 5; English at 5.

This degree programme has a subject requirement of a language other than English. You may not use your own native language to meet this requirement. English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference. https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/2027/270-german-and-history-of-art?utm_source=ucas&utm_medium=programme&utm_campaign=ug_institution_profiles&utm_content=listing

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level ABB

Required subjects: A levels: no specific A level subjects required. GCSEs: a language other than English at B or 6; English at C or 4.

Scottish Higher ABBB

ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6 (Standard). ABBB by end of S6 (Minimum). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: a language other than English at B; English at C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Offer: 34

34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: a language other than English at 5; English at 5.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL (iBT)total 92 with at least 20 in each component (before 21 Jan 2026); total 4.5 with at least 4.0 in each component (from 21 Jan 2026). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. We also accept other English language tests and qualifications from around the world. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, Oxford Test of English Advanced, Trinity ISE. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.

Learn more on the The University of Edinburgh website

International entry requirements

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/international-qualifications

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not available

Historical entry grades data is not currently available for The University of Edinburgh - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Scotland£1820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050
EU & International£31100

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) students commencing or continuing their studies in September 2027, the tuition fees will be £10,050.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme

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