Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in German

Summary

The Bachelor of Arts is a flexible degree so you can specialise or study a wide variety of topics. Over the three years of your degree, you will gain the critical thinking, creative problem solving, and communication skills that employers want. Unique practical experiences such as internships are on offer too. The Bachelor of Arts requires a minimum total of 360 points. Each major has specific course requirements, but all consist of a minimum of 135 points in a single Arts subject. Of these, at least 60 points must be at 300-level and at least 45 points at 200-level.

The German language is a leading world language, mother tongue of almost 100 million speakers. The German-speaking countries - Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein - form the largest language area in Central Europe. It is an important language of trade, with Germany being the third largest economy in the world.

German also holds the key to a deeper understanding of where our modern world has come from and where it might be going. Through its authors, philosophers, composers, painters and scientists, German-speaking Europe has not only been at the crossroads of history for the past 800 years, but promises to remain one of the most important world cultures in the future.

Why study German at UC?

The German programme has a distinctive focus on embedding German culture and language in a context of European studies. German language courses are based on an interesting mix of distance and on-campus studies. The latest e-learning tools are used in German language courses.

Double degrees

It is possible to combine an Arts degree with other degrees.

Further study

The College of Arts has a wide range of options for postgraduate and graduate study with excellent research facilities. Pathways include: Bachelor of Arts with Honours; Master of Arts; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Career opportunities

A knowledge of German and a familiarity with the cultures of Austria, Germany and Switzerland can enhance a wide range of career options. People who demonstrate an open and informed attitude to the world are rightly preferred for many business and governmental positions, and skills in German are likely to prove particularly attractive as New Zealand's trade and tourism relations with Europe continue to grow.

Diplomatic service, teaching, journalism and library and information services are further areas in which German has proved to be a highly useful course of study.

The exchange programmes with the universities of Konstanz and Freiburg provide an excellent opportunity to study at a German university and to plan ahead for a career in a German-speaking country.