The University of Edinburgh
German and History MA (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 30 graduates of German and History MA (Hons) and other courses in German and Scandinavian Studies at The University of Edinburgh for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in German and Scandinavian Studies.

Overall student satisfaction
84 /100
30 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in History

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of German and Scandinavian Studies at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £25000 £30500
25-75 percentile range £21500 - £31000 £19500 - £31500 £23000 - £42500


Salary of all UK Graduates of History

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24628 £22989 £27798
25-75 percentile range £20642 - £28336 £17755 - £28851 £21061 - £36004

Course Description

For centuries, German-speaking cultures have had a profound international influence. German ranks in the world's top 20 languages and in Europe, more people speak it as their native language than any other.

On this flexible joint honours programme, you have the chance to gain professional skills in all aspects of German, including:

  • reading and listening
  • writing and translating
  • speaking and presenting

You will spend a year of the programme studying and using your German abroad.

Alongside your language studies, in German classes, you will explore and compare historical and cultural developments in the German-speaking world from different perspectives. This will enable you to critically appraise topics such as:

  • German identities
  • Encounters with non-Germans
  • Nationalism and anti-nationalism
  • Nature and culture
  • Minority cultures
  • Migration in the German-speaking world

Beyond German history, you can choose to take courses in the history of other cultures and civilisations, from ancient Rome to the modern United States.

From the early Middle Ages to the most recent past, the Edinburgh experience is distinctive for its range of historical themes, chronological periods and geographical areas of study.

Work in history takes the form of interaction with evidence in primary form and through critical reading of a wide body of historical writing.

We use a rich variety of approaches to the past, including political history, cultural history, social history, economic history, intellectual history, gender history, and global and transnational history.

You will also be able to study topics such as the history of science, architecture and Western medicine.

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading festival and capital city, and home of two World Heritage Sites, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study a modern language in its cultural context and alongside History.

German has been taught here since 1894, making it one of the first European languages to be offered at Edinburgh. We have excellent resources for the study of History and German, including access to unique archival sources within the library's special collections.

Studying over four years enables you to choose courses, including from other disciplines, that match your own interests, expertise and employability needs. It gives you the blend of specialist skills and Intercultural Competence valued in a range of careers around the globe.

We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of German and History MA (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh

25% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
15% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
10% Administrative occupations
10% Teaching Professionals
5% Protective service occupations
5% Information Technology Professionals
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
5% Quality and Regulatory Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

For degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

Total 65 with at least 5.5 in each component.

TOEFL (iBT) 92

Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

Cambridge English Advanced

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Cambridge English Proficiency

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Trinity ISE

ISE II with distinctions in all four components

PTE Academic 62

Total 62 with at least 54 in each component

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study German and History, MA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees German and History MA (Hons)

Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £26500 year 1
International £26500 year 1

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Edinburgh in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of The University of Edinburgh in related subject specific rankings.

Languages & Literature

    • #2 
    • #7 
    German
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]

See all 38 university rankings of The University of Edinburgh

About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is located in the Scottish city of the same name, and is one of the oldest universities in the entire United Kingdom, having opened in the year 1583. The university enjoys a strong reputation for its contributions to international research efforts, which is reflected in their inclusion in the Russell Group, Universitas 21, and Una Europa. Edinburgh offers its residents a historic yet modern city, with a lively nightlife scene, reliable public transport, and friendly locals.

List of 686 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Edinburgh - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Central area campus
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