Key Info
About you
You are someone who enjoys learning about other cultures and who is interested in languages. You would either like to continue with German because you liked it in school, or you may want to pick it up as a beginner who is happy at last to get a chance to start learning German. Perhaps you are someone who wants to benefit from the excellent job prospects for anyone with a good knowledge of other EU languages and of German in particular. This is becoming even more important now that the UK has left the European Union. You also know that German is one of the major languages of the EU and the most common first language spoken by its citizens!
Why study German at UL?
We have an excellent track record of helping our students acquire high-level language skills, and a sound knowledge of the culture and society of the German-speaking countries of Europe.
This also offers students a window into wider European culture. Students develop great enthusiasm for their subject, not least because of the many opportunities for work placements in top Austrian, German and Swiss companies and the exciting possibilities of studying as an ERASMUS student at one of our many German-speaking partner universities.
Our classes are typically taught through the medium of German, using up-to-date teaching methods and the latest educational technologies.
You can also take advantage of one-to-one sessions with native speakers, discussion groups, movie evenings, and lectures and readings by visiting authors and academics. Our research expertise in language learning and German Studies (including GDR studies, crime fiction, exile and intercultural studies) feeds directly into our teaching.
We have the only Centre for Irish-German Studies in Europe and are active in interdisciplinary research in the Centre for Applied Language Studies, the Centre for European Studies and the Ralahine Centre for Utopian Studies.
Learn more about our courses and upcoming events
What you will study
You will learn about culture and society (literature, cinema, Landeskunde (area studies), history, popular culture, current affairs, language in society etc.) in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Frequently, award-winning authors and other eminent speakers from these countries visit us and our students get the opportunity to interact with them directly. You will also, of course, be developing your language awareness and your German language skills by working with exciting and topical texts, visual material and online digital resources, and, at an advanced stage, developing your translation and interpreting skills. From the beginning, you will be actively involved in the classes and will find yourself doing research on new topics, often with your fellow students for group presentations, video projects, podcasts and essays.
Note: German is available at beginners’ and post-Leaving Certificate (advanced) level. Students require a minimum H4 grade in German to study German from advanced level. Students require a minimum H4 grade in a language other than English to study beginners’ German.
German Joint Honours Pathway
Modules are subject to change.
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |
| GE4211 |
German for Beginners 1 |
GE4212 |
German for Beginners 2 |
| GE4141 |
German Language and Society 1: Intro to German Studies I (post leaving certificate) |
GE4142 |
German Language and Society 2: Intro to German Studies II (post leaving certificate) |
| Year 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | |
| GE4623 |
Romanticism, its Background and Its Legacy |
Cooperative Education Work Placement | |
| GE4213 |
German for Beginners 3 |
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| GE4143 |
German Language and Society 3: Living and Working in Germany (post leaving certificate) |
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| Year 3 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 | |
| Erasmus/Exchange placement with a partner institution abroad | GE4146 |
German Language and Society 4: Germany Past and Present |
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| GE4626 |
German Literature and Culture: The 19th Century |
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| Year 4 | Semester 7 | Semester 8 | |
| GE4147 |
German Language and Society 5: Germany, Europe and Beyond |
GE4148 |
German Language and Society 6: Issues and Debates |
| GE4627 |
Aspects of 20th Century Writing in German |
GE4628 |
Current Trends in German Literature and Culture |
Entry requirements
| Additional considerations |
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English. Note: Grade F6 in Foundation Mathematics also satisfies the minimum entry requirements. Foundation mathematics is not reckonable for scoring purposes. In addition, students wishing to study a Language must hold a minimum H4 grade in that language, with the exception of beginners German or beginners Spanish where a H4 grade in a language other than English is required. Specialist requirement in Mathematics also for those studying Economics or Mathematics. For certain subjects, additional special qualifications specific to individual subjects or disciplines may be determined by the respective departments in accordance with Academic Council regulations. Applications are especially welcome from Mature Students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. QQI Entry Certain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for this programme. go to the UL Admissions QQI page for a full list of modules. |
|---|---|
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
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How to apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this subject through the Bachelor of Arts degree. |
Fees and funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €5,658 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €5,658 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €5,658 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €15,262 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €15,362 |
Student course fees are comprised of the following components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
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Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Brad Duffy Access Scholarship | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your future career
- Teaching (Professional Master of Education required)
- International Business
- European and Irish public service
- Arts and Cultural Institutions
- Translating
- Tourism
Follow-on study
- Professional Master of Education (Languages)
- MA in European Studies
- MA International Studies
- MA in Applied Linguistics International
- MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Student Profile
Kieran Murphy
I am a Bachelor of Arts student studying German and also Linguistics with TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) as my two subjects.
I have had an interest in German since I was younger and visited Germany on a few occasions. I took German in secondary school and wanted to study it at a higher level. When I started at UL, I noticed I was getting a better grasp and understanding of how to speak German, its structure and how to formulate sentences myself rather than just learning information for an exam. I felt reassured to find out that there were so many resources to help students like the Language Learning Hub.
The classes on offer are interesting including German history, culture, literature, and the language itself. Our lecturers are extremely helpful. Classes are small and interactive. Rather than just sitting there and listening, you are truly part of the class.
I spent my Erasmus placement in Berlin and being in a German-speaking environment 24/7 really improved my understanding of the language. Initially, I intended to teach German at secondary level after completing a Professional Masters of Education and I think that is still what I want to do, however, a translation class opened up the idea of translation as a career because I enjoyed it so much. It wasn’t something I had considered before but I am even doing my Final Year Project on a translation dossier.
