Course Overview

Lancaster's four-year combined German Studies and English Literature degree is taught by our Department of European Languages and Cultures - ranked in the UK top ten by The Complete University Guide 2011 - and our Department of English and Creative Writing, which ranks highly the National Student Survey 2011. You'll also spend a year in a German-speaking country, immersing yourself in the language and culture.

Your German Studies programme aims to increase your fluency while exploring the country's social, historical, political and cultural background in a European and global context. In English Literature you will study a range of poetry, drama, fiction and other prose.

You'll begin your degree with courses including German Language (Intensive for Beginners or Advanced) and Introduction to English Literature. In your second year, you'll study subjects such as The Theory and Practice of Criticism and Becoming German: Identity Formation in Modern German Society and Culture.

In your third year you'll complete your Residence Abroad: Intercultural and Academic Reflection before finishing your degree with modules covering Literature and Fame in Contemporary Germany; From Decadence to Modernism 1890-1945, and American Literature from 1900.

For a list of compulsory modules, please see the tab above.

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Career opportunities

Foreign languages are greatly sought after in today's global business environment and with strong language skills you could consider the Civil Service, the Diplomatic Service, the British Council and various international agencies. Opportunities can also be found in business and cultural communications, journalism and commentary.

Careers traditionally associated with English and creative writing include publishing, the media, teaching and librarianship. Avenues such as business, administration and professional services - where skills of self-expression and critical understanding of complex information are equally valued -are also open to you.

You might also consider continuing your studies. A postgraduate degree opens up opportunities in higher education while a professional qualification can open areas like interpreting. You could also train to teach German, or to teach English as a foreign language, either in the UK or further afield.