Program Overview

---

German and International Relations, MA

Introduction

German and International Relations at Aberdeen puts you at the forefront of the contemporary debate on world events. You will gain highly-developed skills in a modern European language and culture, adding value to a broad exploration of our complex international world and the developments which are making history today. You will graduate ideally prepared for a wide range of careers in politics, media, local and national government, NGOs and many other fields.

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: RLF4

Year 1

Compulsory Courses

• GERMAN ADVANCED – for post-Higher candidates and those who have studied German for more than 4 years
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • German Language 1 (GM1050)
  • German Language 2 (GM1550)

Optional Courses

• EITHER:
  • Modern German Culture 1 (GM1052)
  • Politics & International Relations 1: Democracy and Governance (PI1018)
• AND/OR:
  • The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
  • Politics & International Relations 2: Power and Conflict (PI1518)
• Plus further credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.

Year 2

Compulsory Courses

• Term 2 to be spent in a German Speaking Country (ZZ2502)
• Ideas and Ideologies in Politics and International Relations (PI2009)
• Modern German Culture 3 (GM2043)
• German Language 3 (GM2042)

Year 3

Compulsory Courses

• Researching in the 21st Century (PI3069)
• German Junior Honours Language Study (GM3069)

Optional Courses

• Plus one Term 2 level 3 Politics and International Relations course:
  • Employer-led Interdisciplinary Project (ED3537)
  • International Security (IR3518)
  • Political Parties in Britain (PI3562)
  • Soviet and Post-Soviet Russian Foreign Policy (PI3565)
  • International Terrorism Counterterrorism & International Relations (PI3567)
  • Memory and Politics of the Past (PI3570)
  • Human Rights in Global Politics (PI3572)
  • The Global Politics of Secession (PI3582)
• Plus 45 credits of German courses at level 3

Year 4

Compulsory Courses

• German Language Study for Senior Honours (GM4099)
• Dissertation (IR4031)

Optional Courses

• EITHER:
  • German Dissertation (Joint Honours) (GM4052)
  • Plus one Term 1 level 4 Politics and International Relations course:
    • Contemporary French Politics: Race, Religion and Social Change B (LA401G)
    • Science, Technology & International Relations (IR4034)
    • War and Peace in International Politics (IR4036)
    • International Political Psychology (PI4086)
    • Scottish Politics (PI4091)
  • One Term 2 level 4 Politics and International Relations course:
    • Comparative Constitutional Systems (AT4557)
    • Extreme Right in Western Europe (PI4560)
    • Maritime Security (IR4535)
    • Political Islam: Islamist Ideologies and Practices (PI4573)
    • International Migration and Europe (PI4579)
    • Gender and Politics (PI4584)
    • Northern Ireland: Small, Dirty War (PI4588)
    • Corruption and Good Governance (PI4589)
    • US Presidents (PI4590)
• Plus further credit points from level 4 courses in German to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline
• OR:
  • Dissertation (IR4031)
  • One Term 2 level 4 Politics and International Relations course
  • Plus further credit points from level 4 courses in German to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research

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

Why Study German and International Relations?

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
• 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

Why Politics and International Relations

• A core curriculum with topical themes of conflict and security, representation and democracy, comparative politics and policy
• Special focus on the Middle-East, Latin America, North and South Asia, the Nordic Countries, Central and Eastern Europe – as well as Scotland, the UK and the EU
• Staff with specialist expertise in political parties and elections, democracy, energy politics, European integration and regionalism, human rights and development issues, interest groups, nationalism, conflict resolution and more
• Opportunities to take advantage of spending your second year studying abroad, in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong or North America
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, combining a top-class study environment with state-of-the-art technology, and extensive reference collections for your studies
• A packed campus programme of events, seminars, invited speakers and the annual May festival, engaging prominent influencers, interest groups and public in debating major political issues such as Scottish independence and EU membership
• All the history and legacy of being part of a university developed over 500 years of national and international political turbulence, social change, and emerging democracy

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

• EU / International students: £20,800
• Home Students: £1,820
• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535

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

Our Experts

• You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors

Related Undergraduate Degrees

• MA German and International Relations (5 years)
• MA Politics and International Relations

Discover Uni

• Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study
• You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested

Get in Touch

• Address: Student Recruitment & Admissions, University of Aberdeen, University Office, Regent Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX
• Email: [insert email]
• Call: +44 (0) [insert phone number]
• Enquire Now: [insert online form]