German has 110 million native speakers worldwide and is first place in terms of numbers of native speakers in the European Union. 24% of the EU's population speak German as their first language.
Germany is the UK's most important trading partner. It is the world's third largest contributor to research and development, placing German in second place as the most important scientific language.
British Council (2014), Languages for the Future
Have you heard that German is hard? As an English speaker, you have a head start because German and English are related languages and share thousands of similar words. German also has clear pronunciation and spelling rules, so once you have learned the basics, you can tackle any of its famously long words.
Read posts from former students on our blog. You can also read about how you’ll learn a language and the reasons why you should learn a language.
As a Language for All German student, you may get the chance for some extra-curricular activities such as weekly conversation clubs and film screenings, as well as trips to UK-based Christmas markets and German films and plays, depending on what is available. You can join the German Society, and there are Study Abroad opportunities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
More information is available from the German Language Lead.
For detailed information, see our how to apply page.
This beginner’s module provides an introduction to German, concentrating on its use in familiar, everyday situations. You’ll acquire a basic understanding of the language and the ability to communicate at a survival level.
In this post-beginner module, you’ll increase your ability to communicate in German by consolidating and building on your existing knowledge of language necessary for everyday situations.
This intermediate module aims to consolidate and further develop your competence in spoken and written German.
You’ll focus on a variety of language exercises exploring texts representing a range of genres and registers.
This advanced module develops your German through guided and free writing, structured grammar work, and regular discussion of contemporary issues using a broad range of texts.
You’ll build confidence and fluency by working across different genres and registers in both spoken and written German.
This advanced module deepens your command of German through more complex writing tasks, detailed grammatical analysis, and extensive engagement with authentic materials.
You’ll refine fluency by exploring a wider variety of genres and registers and by discussing current issues in greater depth.
Our most advanced German module develops near‑native proficiency through sophisticated writing and discussion, and analysis of German‑language texts.
You’ll also develop advanced skills in translating both into and out of German.