History and German

History and German is a degree that has become more intellectually compelling as both disciplines have evolved. History has undergone what scholars call a linguistic turn, recognising that documents are not transparent windows on the past but constructed artefacts whose language, genre, and rhetoric must be read critically. Literary and linguistic studies, conversely, have undergone a historical turn, insisting that texts cannot be understood apart from the social and political contexts in which they were produced.

History and German, studied together at this level, brings these two modes of critical thinking into sustained conversation.

At the University of Oxford, this four-year full-time degree develops the forensic literary skills of the linguist alongside the source-critical habits of the historian. You will engage with German history across a wide chronological and thematic range, developing the research, argumentation, and writing skills that historical study at the highest level demands. The German language and literature component takes you to a high level of linguistic accuracy and literary understanding, equipping you to read historical documents and literary artefacts in German with genuine critical sophistication.

Oxford's exceptional teaching resources and research environment make this one of the most demanding and rewarding programmes of its kind available. The typical entry tariff is 184 UCAS points.

Graduates of history and German programmes from Oxford are well placed for careers in academic research, diplomacy, journalism, the civil service, international business, publishing, education, law, and the cultural sector. The combination of rigorous historical thinking and German language expertise is particularly valuable for roles engaging with Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries and their historical and contemporary significance. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in history, German studies, or comparative literature, and Oxford's degree provides one of the strongest possible foundations for doctoral research in either discipline.