German

Knowledge of German, the mother tongue of 100 million people, has never been more important for governments, businesses, and citizens.

Study German at Scotland’s oldest university and gain the communication, cultural, and analytical skills that global employers value.

Develop advanced language ability, explore the rich cultural heritage of the German-speaking world, and open doors to careers in journalism, government, security, marketing, and more.

Excel with St Andrews

The School of Modern Languages at St Andrews is consistently rated among the best in the UK. St Andrews is 1st in the UK for German in the Complete University Guide 2026 and 1st in Scotland and 2nd in the UK for German in the Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.

Supportive, small-group learning

At St Andrews, core language modules develop your German language competence and confidence.

• German is open to beginners and those who studied it as a main subject at school.

• Small-group tutorials allow students to work with tutors to practise speaking, reading, and writing German. Language tutorials typically have 10 to 14 students.

• Advanced modules in later years help all students establish a sound knowledge and use of German.

Innovative, research-led teaching

You will explore global German-language literature and culture alongside your language studies. Optional cultural studies modules give you a research-based knowledge of German-language literature and culture and cover different historical periods. Recent optional modules include:

• The Age of Goethe

• The Medieval Short Story

• Masculinities in Contemporary German Film, TV, and Literature

• Rethinking German Realism, 1845-1898

• East German Cinema

• The Nazi Past in German Cultural Memory

Integrated year abroad option and study abroad placements

You can combine your German studies with time abroad to further develop linguistic skills, intercultural knowledge, and self-confidence. Options include:

• Working for a year in a German-speaking country.

• A shorter period studying at a partner institution in Germany, Austria, Canada, or  the USA.

Study German with other languages or subjects

You can take German as a single-subject honours degree or combine it with another subject that best reflects your academic interests and career plans.

• You can take German with one or two other languages or Comparative Literature as part of a double- or triple-languages honours degree.

• Many students combine German with another subject such as Economics, History, International Relations, or Management as part of a joint honours degree.