German and Politics, MA

At Aberdeen, learning German and Politics goes far beyond textbooks and lectures — it’s about living the language, experiencing politics in action, and building real-world skills that will set you apart after graduation. From studying abroad in a German-speaking country to working on collaborative projects and using advanced language tools, the program is designed to immerse you in practical, hands-on learning every step of the way. You’ll develop not just deep academic knowledge but also the kind of cultural awareness, analytical thinking, and communication skills that employers truly value.

Here are some of the experiential opportunities you’ll benefit from during your degree:

• Study abroad in a German-speaking country: One of the most exciting parts of the course is the chance to spend a semester or even a full year abroad. Living and studying in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland lets you practise your language skills daily, experience politics and culture firsthand, and gain the kind of cultural fluency that textbooks alone can’t teach.

• Work placements and traineeships: Through Aberdeen’s Go Abroad programme, you can apply for international internships and traineeships that put your skills into practice in real organisations — an excellent way to build your CV and grow your professional network before you graduate.

• Research internships and projects: Opportunities like the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship allow you to work alongside international researchers for up to 12 weeks, developing valuable research and analytical skills that are highly sought after in both political and cultural sectors.

• Access to specialist centres and academic networks: You’ll benefit from the expertise and events hosted by Aberdeen’s School of Language, Literature, Music & Visual Culture, including research centres, public lectures, and workshops that connect you with academics and professionals from around the world.

• Language support and world-class resources: The University’s Language Centre helps you strengthen your German skills at every stage, while libraries like the Sir Duncan Rice Library give you access to rare texts, historical archives, and cultural materials that enrich your studies.

This blend of international experience, research opportunities, and access to specialist facilities ensures that by the time you graduate, you’ll have not just a degree — but the real-world experience, confidence, and skills to thrive in a global career

Graduating with a degree in German and Politics opens the door to an incredibly wide range of careers. Because you’ll combine advanced language skills with a deep understanding of how political systems work, employers see you as someone who can think critically, communicate across cultures, and solve complex problems. Many graduates go on to roles such as Policy Officer, Diplomatic Service Advisor, European Affairs Specialist, or International Communications Manager — and with German being one of the most in-demand languages in Europe, your skills will set you apart in an increasingly global job market.

Aberdeen makes sure you’re supported every step of the way as you build your career:

• Expert careers support for life: The University’s Careers & Employability Service offers one-to-one guidance, CV and interview coaching, and access to MyCareerHub, where hundreds of graduate jobs and internship opportunities are posted. You’ll even get subject-specific career support — including dedicated advisers for politics and languages students.

• Work placements and internships: Aberdeen helps you gain real-world experience before you graduate. Each year, students are connected with more than 1,400 placement opportunities across sectors such as local government, NGOs, cultural organisations, and international agencies.

• Strong employment outcomes: Around 90% of graduates from this programme are working or continuing their studies within 15 months of graduation. Politics graduates from Aberdeen earn an average salary of £25,500 soon after finishing their degree.

• Respected worldwide: Employers and universities recognise Aberdeen’s strong reputation — it’s consistently ranked among the UK’s top universities, and graduates are known for being confident communicators with international outlooks.

• Industry and institutional relevance: Your combined expertise in language and politics is highly valued by European institutions, NGOs, government agencies, media organisations, and global companies — opening doors to careers that span countries and sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re passionate about taking your studies further, this degree gives you an excellent platform to continue with a Master’s or PhD. Many graduates choose advanced study in areas like European Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, German Cultural Studies, or Translation Studies. You could even pursue research or teaching roles, supported by Aberdeen’s strong academic community and global partnerships.