English and German

This rewarding degree combines English literature with the study of German, a widely spoken language around the world and highly sought after for business, research and trade. Knowing German will give you access to the cultural production and political debates in German-speaking countries. The course offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges and a range of options that will allow you to pursue your own interests.

German can be studied from beginners' level or post-A level (or the equivalent).

Students on this course will join two departments with top researchers in a great diversity of fields and will be encouraged to develop expertise and research skills relevant to both subjects, while also considering the relationships between them.

You will explore a rich variety of texts in their social, political and historical contexts and will develop excellent critical and communication skills, both in English and in German.

You will follow a structured language course in German, as well as explore the rich culture and history of German-speaking countries and communities, choosing from a range of units in literature, film, history, thought, politics, linguistics and visual culture. You will spend your third year abroad in a German-speaking country, extending your language skills and cultural knowledge. To find out more about studying abroad, visit the Centre for Study Abroad.

For the English part of your course, you will study a broad range of literature written in English from the medieval period to the present day. This will include the close, analytical study of poetry, fiction, and drama, as well as critical and theoretical approaches to studying literature.

You will complete a dissertation during your final year, a project that will ask you to bring together the skills you have developed while studying both disciplines.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one project supervision. Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations.

Our course will ensure you practise a range of skills, which will make you attractive to future employers in the globalised workplace and in the sector of your choice.

All modern languages students have access to our state-of-the-art Multimedia Centre. You can also access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafes, student newspapers, and talent shows.