Studies & Degrees in German language and literature (in Universities)
German language and literature (in Universities) Study Programs
German language and literature, called Germanistik in German-speaking countries and German studies or Germanic studies elsewhere, is the academic study of the German language, its history and structure, and the literature and culture written in it. The Institut für Germanistik of the Universität Duisburg-Essen describes its field as the systematic and historical study of German language and literature.
The subject has three classic areas. The Universität Stuttgart names them for its bachelor's degree: linguistics, which examines the structure of German from sounds and writing to sentences and meaning; medieval studies, which deals with literature from the Middle Ages to the Early Modern Period; and modern German literature, from the Early Modern Period to the present. Outside the German-speaking countries, the degree adds intensive language training and courses on the culture and history of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Qualifications and levels
- Germany. The Bachelor of Arts in German at the Universität Stuttgart has a standard period of study of 6 semesters, is taught in German, starts in the winter semester and has unrestricted admission, with an application deadline of 15 September. It can be taken as a major or a minor subject. The Universität Duisburg-Essen offers a two-subject bachelor's degree in Germanistik, bachelor's and master's degrees with a teaching option, and two-subject master's degrees in German linguistics and in German literary studies.
- Spain. Official bachelor's degrees (grado) have 240 ECTS credits and official master's degrees 60, 90 or 120. The Grado en Estudios Alemanes of the Universidad de Salamanca, for example, lasts four academic years, has 240 ECTS credits, is taught in German and Spanish and offers 50 places for new students in 2026-27. It aims at a level of at least C1 in German, and its entry profile asks for basic knowledge of a foreign language, not necessarily German.
- United States. German is studied as a major or a minor inside a Bachelor of Arts, and often in a department that covers several languages. At Stanford University the Department of German Studies accepts candidates for the Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy, and students can combine German Studies with another subject as a double major. At The University of Texas at Austin, German is taught in the Department of European and Eurasian Studies, together with French, Italian and Russian.
Students who want a full degree in Germany need to prove their German. The TestDaF certificate is recognised by all German universities, according to the TestDaF-Institut, and the exam can be taken at more than 500 test centres in 100 countries. Each university publishes the level it requires.
Where to study
SpainExchange lists 202 active universities for German language and literature. The United States has 84, the United Kingdom 22, Germany 20, Spain 14, Canada and France 7 each, Austria and Ireland 4 each and Denmark 3. Examples in the United States are The Ohio State University in Columbus, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Stanford University, The University of Chicago and Duke University in Durham. In Germany the list includes the Universität Duisburg-Essen and the Universität Stuttgart, and in Canada the University of Lethbridge and the University of Prince Edward Island.
The language of instruction depends on the country. In Germany and Austria the degree is taught in German from the first day. In other countries, teaching starts partly in the local language and moves to German as students progress, so beginners are often accepted.
Careers
German studies does not lead to one regulated profession. The Universidad de Salamanca lists as the most common outlets for its graduates:
- Teaching German language and literature in secondary schools, vocational training and official language schools, which in Spain requires the master's degree for secondary school teachers
- Literary production and criticism, editorial advice, and the correction and translation of texts
- Translation and interpreting
- International relations in import and export companies
For translation, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that interpreters and translators typically need at least a bachelor's degree. It projects employment in this occupation in the United States to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, with about 6,000 openings each year.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak German before starting the degree?
Outside the German-speaking countries, often not: the Universidad de Salamanca asks for basic knowledge of a foreign language, not necessarily German. In Germany the degree is taught in German, and international applicants must prove their level, for example with TestDaF.
How long does a degree in German language and literature take?
The Bachelor of Arts in German at the Universität Stuttgart has a standard period of study of 6 semesters. In Spain a bachelor's degree has 240 ECTS credits and lasts four academic years.
Can German be combined with another subject?
Yes, in most systems. In Stuttgart it can be a major or a minor subject, the Universität Duisburg-Essen offers it as a two-subject degree, and Stanford University allows a double major.
What can I do with a degree in German?
Graduates work in teaching, translation and interpreting, publishing, the media and international trade. Teaching in secondary schools usually requires an additional teaching qualification.