German and Politics

German and politics is a combination that opens up some of the most important questions in contemporary European and international affairs through both linguistic immersion and political analysis. Germany occupies a central position in European politics, as one of the founding members of the European Union, the continent's largest economy, and a country whose twentieth-century history continues to shape debates about democracy, memory, human rights, and international governance. Studying the German language and its cultural and literary contexts alongside political science and international relations gives you a uniquely powerful perspective on how Europe works.

At Queen Mary University of London, this four-year full-time programme is jointly taught by the Department of Languages, Linguistics and Film and the School of Politics and International Relations, and no prior knowledge of German is required. You will learn the language from scratch or develop from an existing foundation, progressing to a high level of competence in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Alongside this you will study political theory, comparative politics, international relations, European politics, and related areas that illuminate the political context in which the German-speaking world exists.

The four-year structure allows for sufficient time to develop genuine German proficiency alongside political depth.

The combination of language and politics is highly valued in careers that span borders and cultures. Graduates are well placed for roles in the European institutions, diplomacy, international organisations, government, journalism, consulting, NGOs, and international business. The degree is also a strong foundation for postgraduate study in European politics, international relations, German studies, or related fields.