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German and History enables you to learn the German language and about the cultures of the German-speaking world, while undertaking a detailed study of the past.
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). 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.
The School of History has established itself as one of the leading History departments in the country, recognised for its research excellence, flexible programmes and quality teaching. You are taught by passionate academics, active researchers and recognised experts. You can tailor your modules to your own interests, and use your expanding knowledge of German culture and language to focus on European history with its dramatic conflicts and strong international relations.
This degree programme therefore is ideal for those wanting to gain a broad and detailed understanding of our world, one that is international in scope and that spans across the years.
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.
In the National Student Survey 2015, 93% of History students were satisfied with the overall quality of their course.
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 A - Z countries and courses.
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.
History
Teaching is by a combination of lectures, providing a broad overview, and seminars, which focus on discussing particular issues and are led by student presentations. Lectures and seminars use a variety of materials, including original documents, films and documentaries, illuminated manuscripts, slide and PowerPoint demonstrations.
The School of History uses a mixture of assessment patterns. The standard formats are 100% coursework or 60% examination and 40% coursework.
The School also has excellent student support arrangements. Alongside our Student Support Officer, each student is assigned an academic tutor. All module convenors keep regular office hours, and the School has a policy of returning at least one essay on each module in a one-to-one personal meeting allowing for additional verbal feedback and discussion.
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 was an exchange student at one of our partner German universities or as a language assistant in a German or Austrian school or in one of several commercial companies with whom we have links
- develop a critical awareness of the factors that have influenced the contemporary society and culture of German-speaking Europe
- increase your awareness of the development of the German language over the last few centuries
- 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
- 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 the internet as a resource and to 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 gain intellectual skills in how to:
- apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry
- evaluate information critically
- synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of the subject
- utilise problem-solving skills
- develop and maximise communication skills for the coherent expression and transfer of knowledge
- analyse, evaluate and interpret a variety of evidence in a critical manner
- study and reach conclusions independently
- formulate original opinions in a self-critical manner on the basis of sound factual knowledge and from a balanced perspective.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in how to:
- communicate effectively in German
- develop reading speed in German
- demonstrate detailed knowledge and effective understanding of the various structures and registers of the German language
- translate accurately and efficiently from and into German
- analyse critically a variety of texts of linguistic, historical and literary significance
- work independently in a German speaking environment
- develop skills in these three related areas: 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
- evaluating your own academic performance
- accurate and effective note-taking and summarising skills
- library and bibliographical research skills
- use of the internet and other forms of information technology
- techniques for using German language source materials
- personal and professional learning and development
- time management and prioritising
- performing under pressure
- a capacity for teamwork
- leadership skills
- working creatively and flexibly
- a range of information technology skills.
Careers
German
Students of German have successfully completed work placements at a variety of different companies, including international giants such as Siemens and Bosch. Not only do such well-known names look great on a CV, but the fact that you were using your language skills every day also makes this work experience even more impressive to employers in the UK, Europe and further afield. 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).
The 2011 National Student Survey revealed that 91% of our undergraduates had progressed into a job, or into further study. A more recent survey of our graduates has indicated that this figure has increased to 96%.
History
The School of History is committed to providing programmes that allow our students to gain and hone the valuable skills required to meet the demands of the modern workplace and career prospects for History graduates are wide ranging, due to the valuable transferable skills acquired and developed during the course of study.
Graduates find themselves prepared for a variety of career options, including research careers within government and NGOs; museums, galleries and libraries; records management and information officers in a variety of workplaces; journalism; numerous roles in the public sector; teaching; and politics – to name but a few.
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 including B in History, Classics - Ancient History, Classics - Classical Civilisation |
| GCSE | Grade B in a modern European 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 European language other than English and History 5 at HL or 6 at SL |
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.