German and Legal Studies

German is one of Europe's most widely spoken languages, the native tongue of over 90 million people and the official language of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and several other countries. It is also the language of an extraordinarily rich literary, philosophical, and scientific tradition, and a vital asset in European business and international affairs. Combined with legal studies, it prepares you not just to operate confidently in German-speaking contexts but to understand the legal frameworks that govern life across Europe and beyond.

At the University of Aberdeen, this four-year full-time programme gives you a solid grounding in German language and culture while also introducing you to the legal world, including European law in both its topical and more controversial dimensions. You will develop proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in German alongside an understanding of legal reasoning, legal systems, and the principles that underlie law in Britain and across Europe. The combination is particularly coherent at a time when questions about European legal integration, human rights, and cross-border regulation are shaping public life.

Entry typically requires around 200 UCAS tariff points.

Graduates of this programme are well positioned for careers in law, the diplomatic service, European institutions, international business, translation and interpreting, journalism, and public policy. The combination of high-level linguistic ability with legal knowledge is distinctive and valued by employers across sectors where the intersection of language and regulatory understanding matters. Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in law or European studies, or pursue professional legal qualifications such as the Graduate Diploma in Law.