Enter OTP
The BA Politics and German at the University of Manchester is an exciting choice if you’re passionate about understanding how power, society, and international relations shape our world—and you want to explore these ideas through the lens of German language and culture. This degree combines the analytical depth of political studies with the creativity and fluency of language learning, while providing you with the opportunity to immerse yourself abroad in a German-speaking country.
Curriculum structure
Year 1
Your first year sets the foundations. In politics, you’ll study the big ideas behind international relations and political theory, while in German you’ll take tailored language classes to match your level—whether beginner or advanced. Alongside this, you’ll explore German culture, film, and history, building both confidence in the language and a broader cultural perspective.
Year 2
The second year gives you more choice and depth. You can focus on topics like globalisation, security, or gender and politics, while advancing your German through modules in literature, society, and translation. This is the year where you’ll really start connecting your political studies with German culture, sharpening your ability to analyse and debate in both English and German.
Year 3
This is your year abroad—a true highlight of the course. You’ll spend time living, studying, or working in a German-speaking country. It’s a chance to experience the language in everyday life, expand your independence, and deepen your understanding of German culture from the inside.
Year 4
Back in Manchester, you’ll study advanced politics topics—ranging from European Union politics to global capitalism and revolutions—and refine your German to a near-native level. You’ll also have the option to complete a dissertation, where you can bring together your interests in politics and German in a research project that’s entirely your own.
Focus areas (in a string): "International politics, German language and culture, year abroad immersion, global and European studies, political theory"
Learning outcomes (in a string): "Develop critical political insight, achieve advanced German fluency, gain intercultural experience, build research and communication skills"
Professional alignment (accreditation): While the program isn’t tied to a professional body, it is jointly delivered by Manchester’s School of Social Sciences and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, both recognised for academic excellence and employability focus.
Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Manchester ranks in the UK’s top 10 for Politics & International Studies and 6th for Modern Languages in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, giving your degree global recognition.
On this course, you won’t just study politics and German in the classroom—you’ll experience them in real and practical ways. From debating global challenges in seminars to developing your German fluency in interactive language labs, the programme is designed to build confidence through practice. The highlight for many students is the year abroad in a German-speaking country, where you can immerse yourself fully in the language and culture while either studying or working. Along the way, you’ll have access to specialist facilities, expert tutors, and cultural partnerships that make your learning lively and hands-on.
Some of the standout experiences include:
Practising spoken and written German with native-speaker tutors and advanced digital resources in the University Language Centre.
Preparing for recognised Goethe-Institut qualifications directly on campus, with blended classroom and online learning.
Spending your third year abroad to gain first-hand cultural and linguistic experience in a German-speaking country.
Developing teamwork, presentation, and analytical skills through political seminars, group projects, and optional dissertation work.
Exploring politics and German culture through flexible course units in areas like globalisation, security, literature, and film.
Connecting with Manchester’s vibrant cultural scene and institutes such as HOME and the Goethe-Institut, which host events, workshops, and collaborations that enrich your studies.
Graduates of Politics and German at Manchester step into the world with a unique blend of political insight and intercultural fluency. Whether you want to shape policy, work internationally, or bring a bilingual edge to your career, this degree opens doors. Many alumni move into roles such as policy analysts, journalists, international relations officers, and translators or interpreters.
And Manchester makes sure you’re not alone on this journey—the university equips you with all the tools and connections to thrive:
Careers Service for life after uni – You’ll have dedicated careers support during your studies and for two years after graduation, from one-to-one coaching to CV help and exclusive networking events.
Employers who want Manchester grads – The University of Manchester is the second most targeted UK university by top graduate recruiters. Employers like the BBC, PwC, Amazon, the UN, and even major European firms such as Lidl regularly hire our graduates.
Cultural and professional networks – Alongside politics, your German studies connect you with cultural organisations such as the Goethe Institute and Austrian Cultural Forum, giving you links to careers across Europe.
A degree with staying power – Both Politics and Modern Languages are consistently ranked in the UK’s top 10, which means your qualification carries strong recognition with employers worldwide.
Proven graduate success – The majority of Manchester language and social sciences graduates go straight into jobs or further study within 15 months, with competitive starting salaries that grow steadily over the years.
A-level: ABB including one essay based/humanities subject. We offer German language from Beginners or Advanced level.International Baccalaureate Diploma 34 points overall with 6,5,5 at HL Full entry American Curriculum AP 5,4,4. SAT I with a score of 1290. ACT with a minimum score of 27. Indian Board CBSE, ISC, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Gujarat 80-95% overall is achieved: IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any one componentTOEFL iBT 100Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 6 or B in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and 4 or C in MathematicsPolitical assistantGovernment social research officerRoles within the civil serviceDiplomatic service officerPublic affairs consultant
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University of Manchester
