German and History

German and history brings together two disciplines that are in many ways natural partners, particularly in the European context. German is the language of Goethe, Kafka and Thomas Mann, of a philosophical tradition from Kant to Hegel and beyond, and of Europe's largest national economy. History gives you the analytical tools to understand the past in all its complexity, and the study of German history in particular, from the Holy Roman Empire through Bismarck's unification and the catastrophe of the two world wars to the division and reunification of Germany and the Federal Republic's role in European integration, is among the most significant stories in modern world history.

At the University of Aberdeen this five-year full-time programme places the in-depth study of German language and culture in the context of a broad and rigorous study of European and world history. The university is ranked top in Scotland for the impact of its historical research, and the combination gives you the linguistic access and the historical analytical frameworks to engage with the German-speaking world and its place in European and global affairs at the deepest level.

Graduates of German and history are valued across a wide range of careers, including diplomacy, the European institutions, journalism, international business, education, cultural heritage, publishing and the civil service. The language competence in German, combined with strong historical and analytical skills, is particularly sought after by organisations with interests in Germany, Austria, Switzerland or the broader German-speaking world. Postgraduate study in modern languages, European history, international relations, German studies or translation is a natural further route.