Postgraduate study
Explore your own area of interest and expertise in German studies in a Masters by Research or PhD programme.
What's it like to study German here?
One of the University of Edinburgh’s larger Modern Language subject areas, German has earned its place as a significant centre for research, supporting a broad range of cultural and literary research themes, from the medieval period to the present.
Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors. We supervise Masters by Research (MScR) and PhD students.
If you are looking for taught study, our team contribute to a number of interdisciplinary masters programmes such as Intermediality, Comparative Literature, and Translation Studies.
As part of our community, you will have lots of opportunities to share ideas, learning and creative work. Activities range from a regular seminar series in European Languages and Cultures (with talks by staff, research students and visiting speakers), to film screenings, workshops, and the publication of our esteemed Edinburgh German Yearbook.
Collections and resources
The University of Edinburgh contains exceptional resources for study and research in German, including the expansive Karin McPherson collection of GDR writing.
Based in the Main University Library, our Centre for Research Collections is unique in the UK, bringing together a collection of more than 400,000 rare books, six kilometres of archives and manuscripts, and the University’s collections of art, historical musical instruments and other objects.
As a student here, you’ll also be within a short walk of the National Library of Scotland, which has outstanding German-language holdings and is a copyright library, meaning it has the right to receive a copy of every book published in the UK and Ireland.
We maintain close links with the Goethe-Institut in Glasgow, one of an international network of centres promoting German language and culture, and with the German Consulate here in Edinburgh.
What can I study?
MSc by Research in German
Combining training in research skills and methods with your own supervised research, this Masters programme enables you to explore an area of interest in German studies through assessed coursework and a 60-credit dissertation of 15,000 words.
Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)
PhD in German
Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors. Working with colleagues elsewhere in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, and across the wider University, we are able to support PhD theses crossing boundaries between disciplines and/or languages.
Full-time, three years (all students) ꟾ part-time, six years (eligibility criteria apply)
Interdisciplinary taught masters programmes
This cross-disciplinary taught Masters programme compares literary works from different languages and cultures. With expertise spanning the globe, our School can offer you courses in a wide range of literary themes, genres and historical periods, as well as critical theory, translation, and the relationship of the written word to music, painting, film and the other arts. You will also take courses in theories and methods of literary study, and research skills and methods,and write a 60-credit dissertation.
Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)
Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder
This highly interdisciplinary taught Masters programme explores the interrelationships between different art forms and their signification. Combining core and optional courses, training in research skills, methods and problems, and a final project consisting of either a dissertation or a practice-based project with reflective essay, you will explore the interactions between media such as literature, film, photography, painting, music and theatre across different periods and cultures.
Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)
Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder
With a wide range of languages offered (including German), and the opportunity to focus on two languages in addition to English, this taught Masters programme will enhance your practical skills in and theoretical understanding of translation. You’ll take two core courses, two practical translation courses, two option courses chosen from a range of subjects, and complete a dissertation. The University of Edinburgh is an official Higher Education Language Partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and an official member of the SDL University Partner Program.
Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)
Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder
Find a taught masters programme in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC)
QS World Rankings by Subject 2021
The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK for Modern Languages.
We are also 3rd in the UK in the broad subject area of Arts & Humanities.
Globally, we place 11th in the world for Arts & Humanities, 13th for Modern Languages.
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings are based on research citations and the results of major global surveys of employers and academics.
They are International Ranking Expert Group (IREG) approved.
Entrance requirements, fees, funding and more...
You can find out about entrance requirements, start dates, fees and scholarship opportunities for all our programmes on the University of Edinburgh’s Degree Finder. Degree Finder links straight through to EUCLID, the online system for applying to postgraduate programmes at the University.
Applications to start a taught masters programme in September 2021 are now open.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Are you currently studying with us?
There’s lots more information on our pages for continuing postgraduate students.
Take me to content for continuing PhD students
Take me to content for continuing masters students (MSc and MScR)