Program Overview

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German and Legal Studies, MA

Overview

German and Legal Studies at Aberdeen is a great combination, adding to your solid grounding in a major modern European language and culture. The programme takes a closer look at the legal world, including European law in issues both topical and controversial.

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: MR29

Introduction

You will gain a solid grounding in the German language whatever your level, in a programme with the highest possible rating of ‘Excellent’ in the last national Teaching Quality Assessment.

As an integral part of your 4-year programme, you will spend half of year three developing your language skills as a teaching assistant or visiting student in a German-speaking country.

You will also develop a broad understanding of culture in the German-speaking world, with courses in social, historical and cultural aspects of these countries and encounter the world of German artistic expression in the form of literature, film and art, together with a deeper understanding of Germany’s complex history.

Our Law school has an outstanding reputation, ranked 12th in the UK out of more than 90 law schools, positioned in the top five for graduate prospects and scores an impressive 95% for student satisfaction.

You will add value to your studies in German language and culture by exploring what law teaches us about a society, including looking at European and international law and topical issues including human rights within the EU.

Studying law develops important academic qualities including clear, careful and independent thinking, adding value to your language skills and extending your already-bright career opportunities in European business and organisations, NGOs, charities and international development, government service, marketing, and much more.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses
  • Legal System (LS1025)
  • Foundations of Private Law (LS1022)
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • German Language 1 (GM1050)
  • German Language 2 (GM1550)
• Optional Courses
  • Select ONE OR BOTH of the following:
    • Modern German Culture 1 (GM1052)
    • The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
  • Also, select 30 credit points from the options below plus, further credit points from courses of choice to reach 120 credit points.
    • Modern German Culture 1 (GM1052)
    • The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
    • Criminal Law (LS1020)
    • Contract (LS1520)
    • Delict and Unjustified Enrichment (LS1536)
    • UK Constitutional Law (LS1537)
    • Foundations of Common Law with English Criminal Law (LS1533)
    • A World Full of Law: Legal Cultures Before the Age of Exploration (LS1030)

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses
  • Modern German Culture 3 (GM2043)
  • German Language 3 (GM2042)
• Optional Courses
  • ZZ2502: Term 2 to be spent in a German Speaking Country
  • Select TWO courses from the options below.
    • Criminal Law (LS1020)
    • Eu Institutions and Law (LS2026)
    • The Law of Property (LS2031)
    • Public International Law (LS2032)
    • Administrative Law and Civil Liberties (LS2033)

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses
  • German Junior Honours Language Study (GM3069)
• Optional Courses
  • Select a further 45 credit points from level 3 courses in German.
  • Also, select 60 credit points from the following Legal Studies LX Honours courses.
    • LX403Q Contemporary Issues in Energy Law
    • LX4584 The Use of Force in International Law
    • LX453P Human Rights Law in the UK
    • LX4553 Law and Medical Ethics

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses
  • German Language Study for Senior Honours (GM4099)
• Optional Courses
  • Select ONE of the following dissertation options:
    • Dissertation in German (GM4052)
    • Dissertation in Legal Studies (LX4025)
  • Plus further credit points from level 4 courses in German to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline.
  • Also, select further credit points from level 4 courses in Legal Studies to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline.
    • LX403Q Contemporary Issues in Energy Law
    • LX4557 Administrative Law (Honours)
    • LX4561 Media Law (Honours)
    • LX4584 The Use of Force in International Law
    • LX453P Human Rights Law in the UK
    • LX4553 Law and Medical Ethics

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

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; and
• 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 German and Legal Studies?

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.

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

• 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. 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.

Our Experts

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.