Program Overview

German and History is a joint degree, equally weighted between both disciplines and studied in both departments. You will graduate from this course as both a specialist historian and a highly qualified linguist with advanced intercultural skills. You will also have a deep understanding of Germany’s past and present, and a multifaceted knowledge of the study of history.

A German and History degree will allow you to combine two specialisms. Firstly, you will be able to develop and refine your skills as a linguist through a programme of modules exploring the German language and the culture, history and politics of Germany and the German-speaking world. Alongside this, you will pursue your interests in history, with core and optional modules on topics including the history of the Renaissance, the modern history of Britain, France and Russia, and the history of the non-European world.

Alongside the German language modules, you can profit from the many synergies that exist between the two departments. You may have the opportunity to study a range of topics relating to post-1918 German culture (the Weimar Republic, National Socialism, and German society and culture since 1945), or aspects of culture from the 18th and 19th centuries, covering the epochs of Enlightenment, Romanticism, Revolution, and tracing the rise of Empire, modernity and capitalism.

Your studies in History will additionally enable to you to explore the history of the European and non-European worlds. History at Warwick asks you to look critically at the motivations, context and characters behind the events that define world history from the Renaissance to the present day. Our far-reaching approach allows you to explore historical topics in depth from around the globe. The department’s expertise spans the British Isles, continental Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin and North America.

Your second or third year is normally spent abroad, either as a language assistant, working, or studying at one of our partner universities. This is an invaluable opportunity to immerse yourself in the linguistic and cultural contexts where German is spoken, enhance your language skills and build international connections. In your final year, you can choose to write a dissertation on a topic from German or History, or one that brings together your interests in the two.

You will have access to outstanding facilities and resources. This includes flexible collaborative and individual learning spaces, as well as a vast selection of print, digital and multimedia learning materials.

You will finish your degree as a proficient, internationally mobile linguist with a deep understanding of key issues and developments in Germany’s past and present, and an advanced knowledge of global histories.