German and History

German and history is a combination of particular richness, given how much of the most significant history of the past two centuries has been made in, and shaped by, the German-speaking world. From the Reformation and the Enlightenment through to the unification of Germany, two World Wars, the Holocaust, and the Cold War, German-speaking nations have been at the centre of European and world history in ways that make studying them in their own language both intellectually rewarding and historically illuminating. Language and history work in both directions here: history gives depth and context to the language, and the language gives direct access to historical sources and a culture that can only be partly understood in translation.

At the University of Warwick, this four-year programme combines in-depth study of German language and culture with a multifaceted and internationally oriented approach to historical study. German can be taken from beginner, post-beginner, or advanced level, making the programme accessible to students at different starting points. You will develop your German to a high level, working on all four language skills alongside literary and cultural study, while in history you will engage with a wide range of periods and geographical contexts, developing the ability to work with primary sources, evaluate historiographical debates, and construct well-supported historical arguments.

Warwick has exceptional strengths in both German studies and history, and the programme reflects that depth.

This full-time programme includes a sandwich year with a work placement, adding professional experience to the academic content. Graduates go on to careers in education, journalism, translation, the civil service, international organisations, diplomacy, publishing, heritage, and many other fields where the combination of historical understanding and German language proficiency is directly valuable. Further postgraduate study in German, European history, or related disciplines is also a natural pathway.