German Studies

Germany is a leading economic and political force within the EU and internationally and has historically played a central role in shaping European culture. A degree in German Studies at Reading will provide you with a high degree of expertise in the German language together with an in-depth knowledge of social, cultural, and political issues relating to the German speaking world. Through the study of a wide range of topics in history, film, literature, and linguistics you will gain a deep understanding amongst other things of the profound impact of the unification of East and West Germany in 1989, which led to the development of the new Germany.

• Reading's strong focus on modern Germany, including current developments in German society, keeps the programme relevant and up-to-date whilst offering an extensive range of optional modules covering aspects of literature, film, history and applied linguistics.

• Combining the study of language and culture, we offer excellent, staged language learning within a carefully structured programme. Students can begin our degree programmes at advanced, intermediate or beginners level. Whatever their initial linguistic level, our students are equipped with the linguistic skills and cultural preparation to successfully negotiate their third year abroad working or studying in a German speaking country.

• Our staff are recognised experts in their areas of research. Interests include German cinema, Austrian drama, German prose fiction and narrative theory, issues of language use in politics and discourse analysis, everyday culture in East Germany, and 19th century cultural studies.

• The Department has distinguished itself in the academic community through its Centre for East German Studies. The only facility of its kind in the UK, it comprises an extensive archive which offers great opportunities for students' own research projects.

• Our close-knit social and academic community makes for a friendly department where staff know each student by name. We work closely with you to ensure you maximise your potential. Our community is enhanced by the lively student-run German Society.

Opportunities to develop skills and experience while studying at Reading

At Reading, you will spend up to a year in a German-speaking country. The length of your stay depends upon which course you are taking. During this year you can choose to work as a language teaching assistant in school, undertake a work placement, or attend courses at an approved partner university either in Germany or Austria through our ERASMUS exchange programme. Popular choices have included Augsburg, Regensburg, Potsdam or Tübingen in Germany, and Graz and Vienna in Austria. Our students receive considerable guidance and preparation before making their choices about how to spend the year. While abroad they can rely on the support of staff within German Studies via email and from the Erasmus co-ordinations where appropriate. The year abroad offers you an invaluable opportunity to develop near-native fluency in German and to perfect your linguistic skills, while gaining a first-hand experience of the culture of Germany or of Austria. You will also gain skills in independent research through studying to prepare a dissertation. In addition, the year abroad allows you to develop a new level of cultural awareness and an increased confidence in your ability to adjust to a new culture. These skills of adaptability and self-reliance and the experience of studying or working abroad are attractive to employers. During your time at Reading you also have the opportunity to develop a wide range of transferable skills such as in written and oral communication, critical thinking, textual and linguistic analysis, ICT, team-working, and self-management. Our students are supported throughout their degree in planning for their future careers and in your second year you take an award-winning module in Career Management Skills developed for Modern Language students.

Career propsects

There is a great shortage of well-qualified linguists in the UK and, in recent years, statistics have shown that only students with degrees in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science have a better chance of finding employment. Many of our graduates go on to put their linguistic skills to practical use by working for companies with a German connection. Prospects extend well beyond translating, teaching and interpreting. Recent Reading German graduates have gone on to roles such as Customer Services Team Member, Germany (Kimberley Clark), Publishing Editor (Taylor & Francis Group), Account Executive (JP Morgan), German Client Services (Swets) and Clerical Officer (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council).