The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's ancient universities. The university has a long and rich history, and has produced many notable alumni in a variety of fields, including science, literature, and politics. Today, the University of Edinburgh is a leading research-intensive university, with a global reputation for academic excellence and a strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world.

One of the most attractive characteristics of this four-year programme is its flexibility.

In Years 1 and 2 your pre-honours years you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines in addition to your core subjects of German and Linguistics.

As well as broadening your education and skill set this may enable you to change the focus of your programme in Years 3 and 4 your honours years.

Year 1
German
If you have not studied German before you will take German 1A an intensive language course.

If your entry qualification for German is a Scottish Higher A level or equivalent you will take German 1B. This course covers language as well as literature and culture from 1770 to the present day.

As part of German 1B you will interview a German native speaker working in Edinburgh or Glasgow. This will give you the opportunity to:

practise professional communication
discover the value of languages in the workplace
gain insights into possible career options
Linguistics
You will take two semester-long introductory courses in Linguistics:

Linguistics and English Language 1A

This course offers a brief introduction to the study of language in general and of English in particular.

Linguistics and English Language 1B

This course helps you learn how to investigate the different subsystems of language.

Option courses
You will complete your Year 1 studies with option courses chosen from a wide range offered by the University of Edinburgh.

You can for example opt to study another language. We offer one of the widest ranges of languages of any UK university. The majority are suitable for complete beginners and include cultural study.

Other options include but are not limited to courses in:

business economics and informatics

politics social policy and social anthropology

art and architectural history

history classics and archaeology

Celtic and Scottish ethnology

linguistics and language sciences

philosophy divinity and law

Year 2
German
In Year 2 you will develop your oral language skills further. You will also practise translation grammar and writing different types of texts in German.

You will continue to study German-language literature and culture choosing at least two courses from a range of options. These are likely to include:

Researching Disability in German Literature and Society
Culture Modernity and the City in the Weimar Republic
Reading Antisemitism in Modern German Literature
The Contemporary Short Story in German
Sexualities on the German Screen (title to be confirmed)
Migration in German-Language Discourse
German Colonialism: History Memory Controversy
Linguistics
You will take a course in Linguistic Theory. You will also choose one course from the topics of:

cross-linguistic variation
the structure and history of world languages
Option courses
As in Year 1 you will also choose from a range of option courses offered by the University.

These include a great selection in European languages and cultures allowing you to study literature film and theatre in themed and comparative contexts.

Current options include but are not limited to courses in:

Cultural Responses to War
Migration Exile Diaspora
Crime and Detection in Literature
Gender and Culture
The Coming-of-Age Narrative
Introduction to European Cinema
Dynamics of Language and Power
Languages Beyond University
Year 3
If international travel restrictions allow you will spend Year 3 in a German-speaking country usually Germany or Austria. This will help you to turn classroom learning into living engagement with German-language culture.

You will either study or do a work placement such as working as a teaching assistant in a school.

We currently have exchange places with universities in:

Berlin
Augsburg
Hamburg
Heidelberg
Tübingen
Freiburg
Leipzig
Mainz
Vienna
Whether studying or working our graduates have told us how much the year abroad has benefited their broader life experience and skills as well as their understanding of German-language culture.

During your year abroad we will aim to ensure your experience is as beneficial as possible to your final year as well as to your wider language learning cultural awareness and skills development.

You will complete prescribed work in both Linguistics and German. For example for German you will take an e-learning language course which will count as part of your Year 3 mark and prepare you for your Year 4 language courses.

If international travel is not possible you will be offered an alternative means of engaging with your subjects enabling you to meet your learning outcomes and preparing you for your final year.

Year 4
You will develop advanced language skills in spoken and written German.

You will also choose from a wide range of specialist honours-level courses in both German and Linguistics. For German these include courses in German-language:

literature
film
theatre
society

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class research-intensive university that has been shaping the minds of students for over four centuries. Founded in 1583, it is one of Scotland's ancient universities and the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university is located in the beautiful and historic city of Edinburgh, which is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and lively atmosphere.

The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, including arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, medicine, business, and law. The university has a strong reputation for academic excellence, and its graduates are known for their high level of education and employability. The university is home to some of the world's most respected research centers and institutes, including the Edinburgh College of Art, the Royal Observatory, and the Human Communication Research Centre.

Throughout its history, the University of Edinburgh has produced many notable alumni, including economist Adam Smith, philosopher David Hume, and Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's most famous writers. The university has also produced seven Nobel Prize winners, including Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, and Peter Higgs, who proposed the Higgs boson particle.

The University of Edinburgh is also known for its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is home to several leading research centers and institutes that specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and sustainable energy. The university also has a strong emphasis on student engagement, and it encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs and societies, and volunteer work.

The University of Edinburgh is a diverse and inclusive community, with students and staff from all over the world. The university provides students with a supportive and challenging environment, where they can develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields. The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world, making it an excellent choice for students who are looking for a high-quality education and a great student experience.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it