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German and Drama enables you to learn the language and culture of Germany and German-speaking countries, alongside learning the practical skills and cultural insights of the dramatic arts. You gain a deeper understanding of German dramatists, such as Goethe and Brecht, and will also have the opportunity to combine the two subjects in your final-year dissertation.
Overview
German is one of Europe's most important languages for business and culture. Worldwide, it is the second-most widely used language on the internet (W3Techs 2014). It is also frequently used as a second language in Eastern Europe, serving as a means of communication across international boundaries. Fluency in the German language, combined with knowledge of political and cultural developments in the German-speaking world, opens up career opportunities in many areas of Europe.
Along with our other European language departments, German has native-speaker language assistants and state-of-the art computing and audio-visual facilities. Many classes are taught in German, and you have the opportunity to spend a year studying, teaching English or working in a German-speaking country.
University of Kent Drama students are taught by leading performance practitioners and lecturers from all around the world. Our range of industry-standard facilities include studios, performance spaces and workshops. There is a diverse array of modules to choose from that incorporate a distinctive balance of practical and theoretical elements, allowing you to develop the skills and vision needed for employment in the creative industries and beyond. Consequently, our Drama and Theatre courses are among the most popular in the country with strong National Student Survey results every year.
German and Drama is therefore an ideal combination for those wanting to gain a broad cultural insight and practical skills with an international focus.
Independent rankings
Over 90% of Modern Language and Linguistics students at Kent were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course, according to The Guardian University Guide 2017, and in The Complete University Guide 2016, German was ranked 1st for research quality.
Drama, Dance and Cinematics at Kent was ranked 11th in The Complete University Guide 2016. Over 86% of Drama and Dance students at Kent were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course, according to The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Year abroad
The University of Kent has Erasmus agreements with several universities in Germany and Austria. See Study Abroad countries and courses A-Z.
Teaching and assessment
German
Teaching is by a combination of lectures and seminars. You 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.
Drama and Theatre
Teaching is through workshops, seminars, lectures and practical projects. Drama and Theatre modules are continuously assessed based on coursework, projects and presentations, performances, essays and dissertations.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- provide a sound grounding in the German language in all its aspects, through extensive reading in German and through the use of German as spoken and written medium
- immerse you in German-speaking culture by enabling you to spend one year in a German-speaking country or, usually, six months if you combine German with another language. In most cases, you will go abroad to participate in an exchange at one of our partner German universities or to work as a language assistant in a German or Austrian school or in one of several commercial companies with whom we have links (for example, Bosch near Stuttgart). If you do combine German with another language, it may be that you decide to spend your year abroad in a country where that other language is spoken. In such cases, we will encourage to spend some vacation time in a German-speaking country
- develop a critical awareness of the factors that have influenced the contemporary society and culture of German-speaking Europe
- sharpen your awareness of the way in which the German language has developed over the last few centuries; to acquaint you with some of its most important dialects and regional variations, and to analyse linguistic data from a professional angle
- train you to translate from German into English and English into German
- assist you in developing sound methodological approaches to the analysis of cultural, historical, social and linguistic phenomena
- provide teaching which is informed by current research and scholarship and which requires you to engage with aspects of work at the frontiers of knowledge, and a means of access to intercultural awareness and understanding
- provide opportunities for the development of personal, communication, research and other key skills appropriate for graduate employment both in industry and in the public sector
- develop general critical, analytical and problem solving skills which can be applied in a wide range of situations
- train you in the use of and assist you in mastering relevant aspects of information technology.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- German language
- German literature from the 18th to the 21st century
- German linguistics
- German fiction (novel, novella and short story)
- German cinema
- German theatre
- German youth culture
- the role of German within Europe
- German history.
Intellectual skills
You develop the following intellectual skills:
- academic study and enquiry skills
- evaluating information critically
- synthesising information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of the subject
- problem-solving skills
- developing and maximising communication skills for the coherent expression and transfer of knowledge
- analysing, evaluating and interpreting a variety of evidence in a critical manner
- studying and reaching conclusions independently
- formulating original opinions in a self-critical manner on the basis of sound factual knowledge and from a balanced perspective.
Subject-specific skills
You gain the following subject-specific skills:
- effective communication in German
- developing reading speed in German
- demonstrating detailed knowledge and effective understanding of the various structures and registers of the German language
- accurate and efficient translation from and into German
- critical analysis of a variety of texts of linguistic, historical and literary significance
- gaining an appreciation of cultural diversity
- acquiring the ability and confidence to work independently in a German-speaking environment
- reception (listening and reading); production (speaking and writing); and mediation between at least two languages (translation and interpreting).
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in:
- effective communication with a wide range of individuals using a variety of means
- evaluation of your own academic performance
- problem-solving in a variety of theoretical and practical situations
- accurate and effective note-taking and sumarising skills
- library and bibliographical research skills
- use of the internet and other forms of information technology
- techniques for using German language source materials
- taking responsibility for personal and professional learning and development
- managing time and prioritising workloads
- thinking and performing under pressure
- developing a capacity for teamwork
- developing leadership skills
- working creatively and flexibly
- deploying a range of information technology skills effectively.
Careers
Drama and Theatre
The Department has developed partnerships with some of the major players in theatre in the UK including: Battersea Arts Centre, the RSC and The Gate. Selected programmes offer you the opportunity to go on work placements which can lead to future full-time employment, while the range of modules we offer ensures you develop key skills such as planning and organisation, teamworking, adaptability and leadership.
Past graduates have become theatre producers, actors, literary managers, journalists, authors, directors, performers, scriptwriters for television, stand-up comedians, casting agents, event managers, arts administrators, community theatre officers for local councils, drama teachers, and many have gone on to postgraduate study. We also support past students to set up companies and remain in Kent with the Graduate Theatre Scheme.
German
Students of German have successfully completed work placements at a variety of different companies, including international giants such as Siemens and Bosch. Other recent examples of internships include: the Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen in Mainz, a translation agency in Berlin, an oil company in Munich, and the German Bundestag (parliament).
There are numerous employment prospects open to languages graduates, and popular choices include teaching; translation and interpreting, working in international organisations and going into the Armed Forces. Further study options include a PGCE, TEFL, a PhD or Master's in various aspects of German language and culture, or another subject altogether.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB |
| GCSE | B in a modern language other than English |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 at HL including 4 at HL or 5 at SL in a modern language other than English |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
UK/EU/International students on an approved Year Abroad for the full 2016/17 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent for that year. Those on an approved Year in Industry pay an annual fee of £865 to Kent for that year. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.