Overview

At the University of Reading studying the BA German and Economics you will join our friendly and dynamic Department of Modern Languages and European Studies, which offers the opportunity to study in a lively, multilingual community with staff and students from all over the world. We offer a flexible and supportive approach to learning which allows you to tailor your degree to your interests, including the opportunity to learn other languages.

Through this course you will become confident and highly skilled in written and spoken German. You will master the fundamental elements of the language, to the point where you will graduate with a near-native command of it. We’re proud of our small language classes, led by native speakers. Direct access to expert staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your language skills to the best of your ability.

This course provides you with the opportunity to explore the culture, history, film, literature and politics of this fascinating country. You will gain a deep understanding of, among other things, the profound impact of the unification of East and West Germany in 1989.

In economics, you will study practical issues and explore the relationship between economics and society more widely. This course places less emphasis on mathematical and statistical content, and instead you will focus on the relevance of these techniques to applied problems. You will still learn necessary maths skills in your core modules with extensive support, should you need it. Optional modules span a number of topics, including business, policy, economic history and even the economics of climate change.

An integral part of the course is the opportunity for you to spend up to a year in Germany or Austria, either studying at a partner institution through the Erasmus+ programme or undertaking a work placement. This allows you to directly immerse yourself in the culture and considerably develop your knowledge of German at the same time. The core language module in the second year will prepare you for studying abroad, equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to work and live in a different culture.

We provide accelerated learning in German, meaning that you can start from beginner level if you have not studied the language before, or at intermediate level if you have previously learnt it up to GCSE or AS level. Regardless of which level you join the course at, all students achieve the same standard of written and spoken German by the final year. Please check the entry requirements for more details on entry points.

What career can you have?

By the time you graduate, you will be able to write and speak fluently in German – an immensely useful skill to have given that there is currently a great shortage of well-qualified linguists in the UK. The experience of studying or working abroad also distinguishes you from non-language graduates, providing evidence of self-reliance, adaptability and enterprise. Furthermore, you will be in high demand as a result of the analytical skills and specialist knowledge of economics you develop through this course.

Our graduates have an excellent record of gaining employment or progressing to further study. Many of our graduates go on to put their linguistic skills to practical use by working for companies with a German connection. However, prospects extend well beyond translating and interpreting. Recent graduates have been recruited by employers such as Sony Europe, the Civil Service, Oxford University Press, Dow Jones and PwC, all of whom clearly value the technical and intellectual training of a degree in modern languages.