Economics with German

Economics with German offers a combination that is more strategically useful than it might initially appear. Germany is Europe's largest economy and a central player in international trade, finance and industrial policy, and German is spoken by more people in Europe as a first language than any other tongue. An economist who can work effectively in German, read original texts, and engage directly with German-speaking colleagues, clients and institutions has a genuine advantage in sectors where Germany's economic weight makes the language a professional asset.

At the University of St Andrews you will follow a four-year MA (Hons) programme that provides a structured, cumulative and rigorous grounding in economics alongside serious language study. The economics curriculum develops your analytical and decision-making abilities through training in quantitative and model-based methods, covering microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and a range of applied fields. Your German studies develop linguistic proficiency alongside cultural and contextual knowledge of German-speaking countries.

The programme includes a year abroad, giving you immersive experience in a German-speaking environment that deepens both your language skills and your understanding of the economic and cultural context.

Graduates of economics with German are particularly well placed for careers in European banking and finance, international trade and consultancy, multinational corporations with German-speaking operations, diplomatic and policy roles in European institutions, and investment and corporate finance in German markets. More broadly, economics graduates with strong language skills are valued in any international organisation or business that operates across linguistic boundaries. Postgraduate study in economics, European studies, finance, or public policy is a natural extension, and many graduates pursue further qualifications in economics or business to develop their quantitative and analytical skills.