Program Overview

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Film & Visual Culture and German (5 years), MA

Introduction

Film & Visual Culture and German at Aberdeen brings a European dimension to your rigorous training in the history and theory of the moving image in the 21st century. You will study the language and culture of German-speaking countries, including cinema, adding international possibilities to a career in creative arts and media, business and many other options too.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 60 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: WR6F

Our unique Film and Visual Culture programme combines close analysis of visual objects and artefacts – analogue and digital, moving and still, underground and mainstream – with theories of visual representation, production and circulation. You will gain specialist knowledge and skills in the academic study of cinema, with an emphasis on building analytical skills in research and critical writing. You will also have the opportunity to develop skills in digital video production and web design.

German at Aberdeen has an outstanding reputation with the highest possible rating of ‘Excellent’ in the last national Teaching Quality Assessment. You will gain a broad understanding of Germany’s complex history and culture in today’s German-speaking countries and enjoy many opportunities to practise your developing language skills informally including our German Society and Drama Group.

As an integral part of your 5-year programme, you will spend the whole of year three taking your language and cultural skills to a very high level as a teaching assistant or visiting student in a German-speaking country.

This subject combination is a great preparation for further study or for a career in the creative arts, new media, journalism, teaching, with the international dimension opening opportunities in business, tourism and many other options.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Introduction to Visual Culture (FS1008)
  • Introduction to Film and the Cinematic Experience (FS1508)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select one of the following options:
    • Beginners:
      • German for Beginners 1 (GM1054)
      • German for Beginners 2 (GM1554)
      • Background to German Beginners 1 (GM1049) AND/OR The Global City (LA1501)
    • Advanced:
      • German Language 1 (GM1050)
      • German Language 2 (GM1550)
      • Modern German Culture 1 (GM1052) AND/OR The Global City (LA1501)

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Visualising Modernity (FS2007)
  • Modern German Culture 3 (GM2043)
  • Visualising Revolution (FS2507)
  • The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select one of the following options:
    • Beginner:
      • German Language (Advanced Introductory) 1 (GM2040)
      • German Language (Advanced Introductory) 2 (GM2540)
    • Advanced:
      • German Language 3 (GM2042)
      • German Language 4 (GM2542)

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic year spent in a German-speaking country.

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • German Junior Honours Language Study (GM3069)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select 60 credit points from the level 3 courses in Film and Visual Studies courses.
  • Plus 45 credit points from level 3 courses in German.

Year 5

• Compulsory Courses:
  • German Language Study for Senior Honours (GM4099)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select one of the following dissertation options:
    • Dissertation in Film & Visual Culture (FS4506)
    • Dissertation in German (GM4052)
    • Dissertation in Film & Visual Culture (FS4002)
  • Plus select 60 credit points from level 4 courses in Film & Visual Culture.
  • Also, select further courses in Level 4 German to make up 60 credits in the discipline.

How You'll Study

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

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

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Film & Visual Culture and German?

Why Film & Visual Culture

• A curriculum which perfectly balances creativity with broad study, theory and critical analysis as you learn to think within the movements of cinema, and pursue questions beyond the film frame.
• The George Washington Wilson Centre for Visual Culture, promoting interest and organising events in visual culture, including film, photography, art history, anthropology and museum studies.
• A programme which also looks at the practical elements of film and visual culture, including the production and circulation of film.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library provides a stunning, iconic and inspiring study environment with state-of-the-art learning technology and reference works on film and visual culture.
• Strong emphasis on applied learning as well as theory, so you develop a range of practical skills that will give you a good grounding in your future career.
• An exciting and flourishing cultural scene in north-east Scotland.
• A packed campus programme of student and public events, exhibitions, seminars, café discussions and film showings.

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.
• 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.

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.

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. This is essential for your future career success. 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.

• More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen
• More information on the Careers and Employability Service