German/Politics

German and politics is a combination that reflects the deep connection between language, culture, and political life. Germany is one of the most influential countries in Europe, central to the European Union, NATO, and international diplomacy, and understanding its language and culture opens an important window onto continental European politics and thought. Politics gives you the analytical frameworks to understand political systems, institutions, and behaviour at both national and international levels.

At the University of Glasgow, German is taught across a wide spectrum, ranging from the eighteenth century to contemporary culture, giving you a rich and historically grounded understanding of the German-speaking world. You will develop your language skills to a high level of proficiency while also studying German and Austrian literature, film, history, and cultural theory. The politics strand develops your understanding of political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and the specific political traditions and challenges of Germany and Europe.

The combination is particularly powerful for understanding European governance, German foreign policy, and the political dimensions of cultural difference.

This five-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year and work placement opportunities. The typical entry tariff is 200 UCAS points, reflecting the demanding nature of the programme.

Graduates from German and politics programmes go on to careers in the civil service, European institutions, diplomacy, international business, journalism, translation and interpreting, education, and political analysis. The combination of linguistic proficiency and political understanding is genuinely distinctive and valued by organisations that work across European borders. Further study options include postgraduate degrees in European politics, German studies, international relations, and translation.