MA German and Classics
About this course
MA (Hons) in German and Classics, a German and Classics degree spanning the study of modern languages and the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. The programme spans four years and includes a compulsory year abroad spent studying or working in destinations such as Berlin, Vienna or Leipzig. Students can select between Latin, Ancient Greek or non-language pathways through Classics, and take either German 1A or German 1B based on prior experience. The first year covers introductory elements including the history and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds, ancient Greek language and Latin language alongside broader options. Second-year study offers modules such as Researching Disability in German Literature and Society, Culture, Modernity and the City in the Weimar Republic, Reading Testimony in German, and The Contemporary Short Story in German. The third year consists of a full academic year abroad, allowing students to study at institutions or undertake work and volunteering placements. The final year focuses on advanced linguistic proficiency through modules including spoken German, essay and précis writing, and German-to-English translation of literary and journalistic texts.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from AAA to ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 75%: 6 offers from 8 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 84 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 76%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 100 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 7%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 10%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 45%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 5%
- Scotland: 30%
Who gets in
Based on about 105 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 6%
Modules
- practise professional communication
- discover the value of languages in the workplace
- gain insights into possible career options
- the history and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds
- or, ancient Greek language
- or, Latin language
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- linguistics and language sciences
- philosophy, divinity and law
- Researching Disability in German Literature and Society
- Culture, Modernity and the City in the Weimar Republic
- Reading Testimony in German
- The Contemporary Short Story in German
- Screening Sex: Gender, Sexuality, and Identity on the German Screen and Beyond
- German Colonialism: History, Memory, Controversy
- ancient history
- classical art and archaeology
- classical literature in translation
- 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
- Berlin
- Augsburg
- Hamburg
- Heidelberg
- Tübingen
- Freiburg
- Leipzig
- Mainz
- Vienna
- study in one or two destinations
- work in one or two destinations
- study in one destination and work in another
- two semesters at a single institution
- one semester at two different institutions (in different destinations)
- arrange to work or volunteer with a private company or charity
- apply to an established placement scheme, such as the British Council’s English Language Assistants programme
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
- spoken German
- essay and précis writing
- German-to-English translation of literary and journalistic texts
- literature
- film
- theatre
- society
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA German and Classics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £43,000. The £32,000 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for German and Scandinavian studies.
What do graduates of MA German and Classics at University of Edinburgh do next?
81% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA German and Classics at University of Edinburgh?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA German and Classics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 173 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA German and Classics at University of Edinburgh?
75% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 6 offers from 8 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA German and Classics at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on MA German and Classics at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.