Program Overview

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German PhD/MPhil

Overview

The German PhD/MPhil is a research-based degree that allows students to explore their passion for German language, culture, and history in a department ranked 6th nationally in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Research Overview

The German PhD/MPhil offers students the opportunity to explore themes from a wide field of specialisms, including:

• Linguistics and medieval studies
• History of language teaching
• Constructions of national identity from the 18th century to the present day
• Myth in German literature from the 18th century to the present day
• Romanticism
• 19th century narrative
• Novels and novellas
• Culture and politics in the Weimar Republic
• Modernism and Postmodernism
• Critical and cultural theory
• Gender studies
• Memory and exile studies
• Postcolonialism and cross-cultural studies
• German cinema
• Media studies
• Autobiography in East Germany
• Intellectuals since the Wende
• Culture of the New Right in contemporary Germany
• Contemporary German historiography
• Memory, time and temporality in German literature and culture

Course Content

Before starting the research degree, students will have completed a research-preparation master's degree in a related discipline and agreed on their research topic with a main supervisor and co-supervisor. Students will work closely with this team for the duration of their study and are welcome to consult any other member of the department whose research seems relevant to their own work.

As part of the German PhD, students are required to attend all departmental research seminars and special lectures and deliver at least one paper of their own each year, usually at the annual Postgraduate Forum or at a work-in-progress seminar.

At the end of three years' full-time registration, plus one year optional writing-up, students will have written a thesis of between 80,000-100,000 words on a topic that makes a significant contribution to research in German studies.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis, and the university accepts a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

• Home/UK students: 2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities, or social science subject. The university would usually expect students to hold, or be working towards, a master's degree in a relevant subject.
• EU/International students: 2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities, or social science subject. The university would usually expect students to hold, or be working towards, a master's degree in a relevant subject.
• International and EU equivalents: The university accepts a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from a specific country, see the country pages.
• IELTS: 7.0 (6.5 in each element)
• English language requirements: As well as IELTS (listed above), the university also accepts other English language qualifications, including TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB, and O level English.

Meeting English Language Requirements

If students need support to meet the required level, they may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach academic skills in addition to English language. The university's Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If students successfully complete their presessional course to the required level, they can then progress to their degree course. This means that they won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, students must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see the CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa Restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university's Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Fees

• Home/UK: £5,006
• International: £23,000

Additional Information for International Students

If students are from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, they may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire, and their answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

These fees are for full-time study. If students are studying part-time, they will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional Costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). The university also recommends students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

Students will be able to access most of the books they'll need through the university libraries, though they may wish to buy their own copies of core texts.

Funding

There are funding opportunities that are only open to students within the Faculty of Arts.

Postgraduate funding for Faculty of Arts students

There are many ways to fund a research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check the guide to find out more about funding a postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Support

The university offers research students:

• Advanced research training
• Expert supervision (each student is allocated two supervisors)
• Frequent reviews and feedback on progress
• Departmental research seminars/work-in-progress sessions
• Well-equipped work bases, with excellent library and IT facilities
• Support for research trips and conference attendance, inter-library loan

Teaching Opportunities

During doctoral studies, students may have the opportunity to apply to work as a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant (PGTA) within the Faculty of Arts. The university offers a limited number of part-time annualised hours contracts of employment. They provide invaluable teaching experience in delivering and supporting seminars, as well as marking, assessing, and giving feedback on students' work. The university provides dedicated training and professional development. Applications for PGTA positions are competitive and not guaranteed.

Researcher Training and Development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers and staff who support them. The university works together to promote a healthy research culture, cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to the online Members' area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses, and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate Centres

The university's graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

• Studying
• Socialising
• Computer work
• Seminars
• Kitchen facilities

Student Support

Students will have access to a range of support services, including:

• Academic and disability support
• Childcare services
• Counselling service
• Faith support
• Financial support
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Visa and immigration advice
• Welfare support

Students' Union

The Students' Union represents all students. Students can join the Postgraduate Students' Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• International students
• Black and minority ethnic students
• Students who identify as women
• Students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent, and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial, and academic difficulties.

Careers

Careers advice, graduate destinations, and career progression are available to students.

Whether students are considering a career in academia, industry, or haven't yet decided, the university is there to support them every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with students to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop their interview skills, and meet employers. Students can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course, or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters, and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Many of the university's postgraduates have chosen academic careers and are currently in full-time posts in the UK. Others have moved into the civil service, the cultural industries, the media, publishing, teaching, or translation.

The research training all postgraduates follow equips them with a range of key transferable skills, such as analytical thinking, time management, and presentation and research skills.

75% of postgraduates from the School of Modern Languages and Cultures secured graduate-level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £27,500.

Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures was placed 6th nationally.
• 88% of research in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures was graded as world-leading or internationally excellent.
• 88% of the Faculty of Arts' research was graded as world-leading or internationally excellent.
• 90% of the university's research is classed as 'world-leading' (4) or 'internationally excellent' (3).
• 100% of the university's research is recognised internationally.
• 51% of the university's research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact.