Welcome to this page for prospective applicants to Modern and Medieval Languages (MML), History and Modern Languages (HML) and Middle Eastern Studies with German.
Contents
- German at Cambridge
- Eligibility
- What careers are open to me after a degree in German?
- German Outreach Communications
A Ticket to Trabiwelt, by Year Abroad student Imogen Barnes
German at Cambridge
How does German at Cambridge work?
German can be studied from scratch (‘ab initio’, option A), or post-A Level (option B). Students can choose to spend part of all of their year abroad in a German-speaking country.
In addition to their language classes, students take ‘scheduled papers’ (i.e. papers on topics in German culture, history or linguistics). In the first year, all students take the same scheduled paper (GEA3 for ">ab initio, GE1 for post A-Level), which is an introduction to a broad range of topics, including film, history, literature, linguistics and philosophy. From the second year, you can choose your scheduled papers.
Whatever you choose, you will be introduced to some of the most important events and movements in European intellectual, literary and political history.
See also our course descriptions and the Cambridge Students’ Union Alternative Prospectus.
“At Cambridge, German is a way into studying a really broad range of stuff. I've studied migration and the far right, cinema, modern and medieval literature, LOTS of politics, and even more history - all as a result of studying German.” (Ella, fourth-year student)
“Learning other languages can allow you to adopt a new perspective in your own life and to express emotions which are inexpressible in English. I have found German to be one of the best languages for offering new perspectives to my life.” (Zoe, first-year student)
Post-A Level
Students have language classes (writing, speaking and translating) and dedicated ‘Use of German’ grammar classes to help them practise, and there is consistent attention to how the language works through translation exercises, too. See our separate post-A Level page.
Ab initio (from scratch)
First year beginners’ German:
Students take 4 hours of German classes per week, taught by native speakers and covering all four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening). In classes, we cover a range of subjects related to the culture of German speaking countries. There are weekly classes on top of this to help build up vocabulary and speaking. After their second term, students start reading German literature, and there are extra classes in the final term to help students understand, discuss and analyse the texts.
Second and final year ab initio German:
Students join the first-year post-A Level cohort. In the final year, former beginners join their original cohort. It is quite usual for former beginners to achieve first class results in their final examinations, both in their language and other papers.
Where can I spend my year abroad and what can I do?
Students focussing on German can spend their year abroad in any German-speaking country, and they can opt to work or study. It is a great opportunity to gain work experience, to travel and to make new friends. Some spend the whole year in one place, while others split the year between two cities, or even two countries.
Here’s a brief video about the year abroad.
Some recent destinations and activities for Cambridge students include studying at universities including Berlin (Free and Humboldt Universities), Leipzig, Göttingen, Tübingen and Vienna.
Cambridge students have undertaken placements with translation agencies (Cinescript Translations, Berlin, and Translingua Kern AG, Graz), law firms (Zimmermann & Partner Patentanwälte mbB, Munich, and Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Frankfurt) and other organisations (Generali Versicherung AG, Vienna, an insurance firm; Starboxx, Berlin, a model and talent agency; and British Council teaching assistantships throughout Germany and Austria).
“I did my year abroad in Austria, and had an absolutely fantastic time, from the basics – affordable rents, the Klimaticket, a decent job, and affordable cost of living – to some of the more amazing stuff: sipping punch on the top of a mountain in Salzburg, or waltzing at a ball in Vienna.” (Saul, fourth-year student)
What makes German at Cambridge unique?
- Track record: Cambridge frequently ranks #1 for German in the Good University Guide.
- Range: the range of research expertise in the German Section at Cambridge makes it unique in the UK, and this is reflected in our teaching. In your first year, you will have the opportunity to study topics in literature (modern and medieval), film, philosophy, linguistics and history. As you progress through the course, you can choose where to specialise, and follow those areas that most excite you.
- Flexibility: you can keep your interests broad or go deep into a particular time period or area of study; after your year abroad, you can continue to combine German with another language, or focus solely on German. The course is designed so that you can tailor it to your interests.
- Teaching: Cambridge is known for its system of supervisions – that is, teaching done in small groups (often 2-3). Supervisions enable students to discuss topics with an academic and to receive personalised feedback on their work. They are not as daunting as they seem! Students also attend lectures and language classes, which are a great opportunity to work with and get to know others.
“Having a senior academic take your opinions seriously and engage with them from day one is rewarding and motivating.” (Saul, fourth-year student)
Eligibility
Can I study German at Cambridge with no previous knowledge of German, or with only GCSE German?
Yes! You can start from either point, as an ab initio student. No prior experience of German is necessary for the ab initio course, but for someone who has done GCSE, the first few weeks would be a good refresher. Students reach GCSE level by the end of their first term (October to December). Please see further information on our ab initio courses (papers). You can combine ab initio German either with another language, in which you already have an A-Level, or with History.
Can I study German at Cambridge if I have A-Level, International Baccalaureate or Pre-U German (or equivalent)?
Yes! You will follow a course of language classes and lectures on the literature and culture of German-speaking countries. You can combine post A-Level German either with another language in which you already have an A-Level (or equivalent), or with another language which you can start from scratch, or with History.
Please see the Faculty’s general information pages on applying to study Modern and Medieval Languages and History and Modern Languages.
What careers are open to me after a degree in German?
Please see our Careers after studying German page.
Please see the Faculty’s general information pages on applying to study Modern and Medieval Languages and History and Modern Languages.
German Outreach Communications
German Section Outreach Newsletter
German Section Outreach Events Mailing List
Please see the Outreach page for more opportunities for prospective students.
