MA German and Philosophy
About this course
MA (Hons) in German and Philosophy, a German and Philosophy degree encompassing the study of language, literature, culture and philosophical traditions. The programme includes a compulsory third year spent studying or working abroad across destinations such as Berlin, Hamburg or Vienna. Students choose between German 1A and German 1B as their initial language course based on their prior experience. The first year covers introductory modules including morality and value, logic, and the history of philosophy. Year two builds on this with specialised German topics like German Colonialism: History, Memory, Controversy and Researching Disability in German Literature and Society, alongside epistemology and metaphysics. Year three consists of an international placement, featuring options to study at a single institution, split time across two destinations, or undertake a work placement. The final year focuses on advanced language proficiency through spoken German, essay and précis writing, and German-to-English translation of literary and journalistic texts, alongside modules covering literature, film, theatre and society.
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 48%: 10 offers from 21 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 95 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 74%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 150 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 92%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 43%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 34%
Who gets in
Based on about 150 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 81%
- Baccalaureate: 6%
- Access course: 3%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 4%
Modules
- practise professional communication
- discover the value of languages in the workplace
- gain insights into possible career options
- morality and value
- the history of philosophy (may include Western and non-Western traditions)
- logic
- philosophy of science
- linguistics and language sciences
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- 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
- epistemology
- metaphysics
- philosophy of language
- philosophy of mind
- 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 Philosophy at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £48,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for German and Scandinavian studies.
What do graduates of MA German and Philosophy at University of Edinburgh do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA German and Philosophy at University of Edinburgh?
89% 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 Philosophy 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 Philosophy at University of Edinburgh?
48% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 10 offers from 21 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA German and Philosophy 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 Philosophy at University of Edinburgh?
92% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.