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PhD/MA by Research German Studies

By undertaking research in German Studies at University of Birmingham, you will be joining one of the leading centres in the country for German language, literature, history and culture.

Quick Facts

  
Duration: 1 year (MA by Research)
3 years (PhD)
Starting in: January, September
Tuition Fee: £20,820 per year full-time
£10,410 per year part-time (distance learning only)
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom / Online

The German Studies programme at University of Birmingham offer an exceptionally wide range of expertise ranging from traditional literary analysis to cutting-edge interdisciplinary approaches.

German Studies is part of the Department of Modern Languages, which boasts a vibrant postgraduate community and provides a range of support for its research students.

Research Areas:

  • Colonial and postcolonial studies
  • Digital Humanities in Modern Languages
  • Linguistics
  • Medieval Studies
  • Music
  • Nineteenth Century Studies

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Why study this course?

  • World-leading research: In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) results, 75% of research at the University of Birmingham for Modern Languages and Linguistics was judged to be ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
  • Research culture: The Department of Modern Languages is home to one of the UK’s largest groups of internationally renowned researchers in the national cultures of Europe. You will have the opportunity to be part of the stimulating research culture within the Department, but also benefit from the multidisciplinary Institute for German Studies.
  • Interdisciplinary study: You can pursue specialist, cross-disciplinary or interdisciplinary postgraduate study in any of the language specialisms at the University. You can also research a wide range of cultural, literary, historical, and socio-political topics related to periods from the Middle Ages to the present day. Since we are particularly interested in interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary work, it is possible to arrange joint supervision involving staff from other departments, thereby giving you access to a broader knowledge base and maximising the quality and originality of your work.

Requirements

Our requirements for postgraduate research are dependent on the type of programme you are applying for:

  • For MRes and MA by Research programmes, entry to our programmes usually requires a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area.
  • Applicants for a PhD will also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.

Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience you may have are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements.

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