© University of Kent - Contact | Feedback | Legal | Cookies
The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
Comparative Literature and German BA (Hons)
This is a part-time, full-time joint honours programme within the German subject area.
Key facts
- Subject area: German
- Award: BA (Hons)
- Code: RQ22
- Location: Canterbury
- Honours: Joint
- Mode of study: Part-time, Full-time
- Duration: 4 years
- Start: 2013
- Year in industry: No
- Year abroad: Yes
- Institution(s): University of Kent
Overview
Both culturally and commercially, German is an extremely important language. Within Europe, it is spoken by more people than English or French. Worldwide, it is the third most widely used language on the internet, (after English and Japanese), and it is frequently used as a second language in Eastern Europe, where it serves as a means of communication across international boundaries. Fluency in the German language, combined with knowledge of the political and cultural development of the German-speaking world, opens up career opportunities in many parts of the continent. At Kent, we specialise in teaching the language, literature and culture of the German-speaking world of today, and exploring its literary and social history.
Along with the other European language sections, German has state-of-the art computing and audio-visual facilities and many modules make extensive use of the internet. We benefit from having native speaker language assistants and many classes are taught in German. All our courses offer the opportunity to spend a year either studying at a partner university in Germany, or teaching English, or working in a German-speaking country. German may be studied at Kent either post-A level or ‘ab inito' (beginners) level.
Subject Leaflets
As this is a joint honours programme, you may find it useful to read both of the following subject leaflets for more information:
Modules
As this is a joint honours subject, please see both subject leaflets below for more details about the modules you may take:
Please contact us if you have any queries (Contacts are listed under the 'Further information' tab).
Teaching and assessment
Comparative Literature
For most modules, you have one two-hour seminar per week. The Final-Year Dissertation is based entirely on your private research but is supervised by a tutor and includes workshops and the chance to participate in an undergraduate conference.
Assessment varies from 100% coursework to a combination of examination and coursework, usually in the ratio 50:50 or 40:60.
German
Teaching is by a combination of lectures and seminars. You also have regular teaching and conversation sessions with German native speakers.
Assessment at Stage 1 is by 100% coursework (essays, class participation) in the first half of the year, and a 50:50 combination of coursework and examination in the second half of the year.
At Stage 2/3, depending on the modules you select, assessment varies from 100% coursework (extended essays or dissertation), to a combination of examination and coursework, in a ratio that will normally be 50:50, 70:30.
Careers
Comparative Literature
Studying Comparative Literature you learn to think critically, develop the skills of close reading and effective communication, and gain confidence and experience in expressing your ideas. These key transferable skills are essential for graduates as they move into the job market.
Recently, our graduates have gone into careers such as teaching, publishing, marketing, radio, journalism, television and film, the Civil Service, advertising, graphic design and copywriting.
German
The ability to speak another European language is a key asset in the global employment market, and many employers view a graduate with overseas study experience as significantly more employable. In addition to your language expertise, you also acquire many of the transferable skills, such as excellent communication skills, the ability to think independently and the confidence to express your ideas persuasively and with sensitivity, that are considered essential by graduate employers.
Recent graduates have gone into careers such as teaching German, teaching EFL, translation, accountancy, law, customs, finance, publishing and journalism.
For more information on the services Kent provides to improve your employment prospects, visit www.kent.ac.uk/employability
Entry requirements
Passing the Kent IFP guarantees you entry onto the first year of this degree programme.
Offer levels
Single honours: ABB at A level, IB Diploma 33 points or IB Diploma with 16 points at Higher.
Joint honours: ABB at A level, IB Diploma 33 points or IB Diploma with 15/16 points at Higher.
Required subjects
A level English Literature or English Language and Literature grade B where taken and German grade B or another modern European language other than English
or GCSE grade B in a modern European language other than English.
Further information
School
Enquiries:
T: +44 (0)1227 827272
Key Information Sets
The Key Information Set (KIS) data (right) is compiled by UNISTATS and draws from a variety of sources which includes the National Student Survey and the Higher Education Statistical Agency. The data for assessment and contact hours is compiled from the most populous modules (to the total of 120 credits for an academic session) for this particular degree programme. Depending on module selection, there may be some variation between the KIS data and an individual's experience. For further information on how the KIS data is compiled please see the UNISTATS website.
If you have any queries about a particular programme, please contact information@kent.ac.uk