What will I learn?
For centuries, both English and German-speaking cultures have had a profound international influence on literature. Today, more people speak German as their first language than any other in Europe, and it is the third most popular foreign language taught worldwide.This joint honours programme develops your critical, analytic, linguistic and creative skills by engaging with a broad range of texts in both English and German, and a variety of approaches to reading.Combining literature with a language shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.**German**No prior knowledge of German is necessary. Through intensive classes on developing spoken and written skills, you will have the opportunity to quickly develop your understanding of the language.Across four years, including a year abroad, you will get a chance to gain professional skills in all aspects of German, including:* reading and listening* writing and translating* speaking and presentingAs well as language learning, you will also explore German-language literature, film and theatre, studying these in the context of historical and political developments from the eighteenth century to today.By your final year, you will have developed your linguistic, critical and analytical skills to the standard of completing a dissertation or long essay.**English Literature**At Edinburgh, you will study in the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, one of the longest-established in the world.You will gain the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of poetry, drama and prose and explore the cultural contexts of writing in English from the late Middle Ages to the present.At honours level, you will select courses on the basis of your own interests in specific topics, periods or literary genres.**Why Edinburgh**As the first UNESCO World City of Literature and a world-leading festival city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study a language in its cultural context and alongside literature. From the University's Special Collections to the National Library of Scotland, the city's resources for studying literatures, languages and cultures are exceptional.Studying over four years gives you the blend of specialist skills and intercultural competence needed for a range of careers. Additionally, we are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.**Programme benefits*** Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.* Go abroad for the first of your honours years - Year 3.* Build up to fluency in one of Europe's most widely spoken languages, and specialise in different aspects of German studies and English literature as you move through your degree* Learn at the heart of a UNESCO World City of Literature.* Explore fantastic libraries, collections and galleries at the University and in the city.* Join societies, attend events, and try your hand at creative writing and publishing.
