Program Overview

Economics and German, MA

Introduction

Economics and German at Aberdeen is a great combination to widen your solid grounding in the global economy and topical economic challenges and issues – giving you the strong competitive advantage of a modern European language, cultural perspective and experience, with a fast track to a career in European and international organisations and business.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: RL20

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Business (AW1003)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • The Economics of Business and Society (EC1006)
  • The Global Economy (EC1506)
  • German Language 1 (GM1050)
  • German Language 2 (GM1550)
• Optional Courses:
  • Modern German Culture 1 (GM1052) AND/OR The Global City (LA1501)
  • Plus further credit points from courses of choice to reach 120 credit points.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Building Skills and Experience for Career Success (PD2002)
  • Intermediate Microeconomics (EC2003)
  • German Language 3 (GM2042)
  • Modern German Culture 3 (GM2043)
• Second half session is spent in a German-speaking country.

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • German Junior Honours Language Study (GM3069)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select 60 credit points from level 3 courses in Economics plus, a further 45 credit points from level 3 courses in German.

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • German Language Study for Senior Honours (GM4099)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE of the following dissertation options:
    • Dissertation in German Studies (GM4052)
    • Economics Dissertation (EC4526)
  • Also, select further credit points from level 4 courses in Economics and German to gain a total of 60 credits in each discipline.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies learned on the course
• Written examinations at the end of each course

Why Study Economics and German?

Why Economics

• An excellent teaching environment, committed to the needs of industry, which integrates research into teaching, grows transferable skills and develops intellectual skills on a range of contemporary economic problems.
• A thriving Economics Society, organising annual trips to international economic institutions including the European Union in Brussels, the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris.
• Enterprise Campus, a new initiative to nurture entrepreneurial skills and support students wanting to progress their own business ideas.
• ACREEF (the Aberdeen Centre for Research in Energy Economics and Finance) headed by leading international petroleum economist and author Professor Alex Kemp, adviser to the Scottish Government.
• Home to CELMR (the Centre for European Labour Market Research) which leads research in education, skills and labour markets so topical today.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, with brilliant study facilities, state-of-the-art learning technology, and an extensive collection of reference books, journals and other media for economics and business studies.
• A packed campus programme of student, public and business events, and the annual May Festival attracting internationally acclaimed public figures, business leaders, authors and broadcasters to debate critical challenges in the world today.
• Experience the Bloomberg Terminal, a software platform that provides real-time and historical data, market-moving news and analytics to help leading business and financial professionals make better-informed investment decisions.

Why German

• A vibrant international community on campus and across the region, with many German-speaking students, staff and activities to get involved in and practise your language skills.
• German Society open to all students interested in German and the German-speaking countries, organising drama performances and other events such as Kaffee and Kuchen, a German Stammtisch, film showings, and visits by German speakers and writers.
• German Drama Group providing a great opportunity to produce an annual play, widen your language skills and meet other German students studying in Aberdeen. Previous years included works of 20th-century dramatists Dürrenmatt, Borchert and Horvath.
• Opportunities to study the rich literature and culture of Austria and Switzerland in addition to Germany.
• A packed campus programme of events, exhibitions, seminars, invited speakers and the popular annual WayWORD festival, welcoming international figures, experts, authors and scientists to campus.
• Your period abroad as a language assistant or visiting student - we have exchange scholarships with the Universities of Zurich, Kiel and Greifswald, and Erasmus partners including Leipzig, Cologne, Bonn, Trier and Graz in Austria.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, with fabulous study facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and an extensive German collection to inspire your studies.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers:
  • Standard: AABB
  • Minimum: BBB
  • Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS:
  • Standard: BBB
  • Minimum: BBC
  • Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and Funding

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
• EU / International students: £20,800
• Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme.
• Home Students: £1,820

Careers

• There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability.
• The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.