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The University of Edinburgh: German
| Institution | The University of Edinburgh View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
| Web | https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying |
| Study type | Research |
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Summary
Make an original, positive and lasting contribution to German studies. A PhD is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise as part of an active research community making impact across the globe. Join us at the heart of Scotland’s capital and festival city.
German was one of the first European languages to be offered at the University of Edinburgh. Since 1894, our subject area has grown into one of the University’s largest in Modern Languages and a significant centre for research.
We support a broad range of cultural and literary research themes in German studies, from the medieval period to the present. We engage innovative theoretical approaches to explore literature and film within and beyond the traditional German studies canon. Our research aims to generate new insights into the historical context of texts as well as their contemporary relevance to both the German-speaking and wider world.
Over the course of your PhD, you will complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of at least two supervisors. Your thesis will be around 80,000 words.
The University of Edinburgh contains exceptional resources for study in German, including the expansive Karin McPherson collection of German Democratic Republic (GDR) writing. Our programme includes access to skills training, including research methodologies specific to German studies.
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
Make an original, positive and lasting contribution to German studies. A PhD is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise as part of an active research community making impact across the globe. Join us at the heart of Scotland’s capital and festival city.
German was one of the first European languages to be offered at the University of Edinburgh. Since 1894, our subject area has grown into one of the University’s largest in Modern Languages and a significant centre for research.
We support a broad range of cultural and literary research themes in German studies, from the medieval period to the present. We engage innovative theoretical approaches to explore literature and film within and beyond the traditional German studies canon. Our research aims to generate new insights into the historical context of texts as well as their contemporary relevance to both the German-speaking and wider world.
Over the course of your PhD, you will complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of at least two supervisors. Your thesis will be around 80,000 words.
The University of Edinburgh contains exceptional resources for study in German, including the expansive Karin McPherson collection of German Democratic Republic (GDR) writing. Our programme includes access to skills training, including research methodologies specific to German studies.
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
Make an original, positive and lasting contribution to German studies. A PhD is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise as part of an active research community making impact across the globe. Join us at the heart of Scotland’s capital and festival city.
German was one of the first European languages to be offered at the University of Edinburgh. Since 1894, our subject area has grown into one of the University’s largest in Modern Languages and a significant centre for research.
We support a broad range of cultural and literary research themes in German studies, from the medieval period to the present. We engage innovative theoretical approaches to explore literature and film within and beyond the traditional German studies canon. Our research aims to generate new insights into the historical context of texts as well as their contemporary relevance to both the German-speaking and wider world.
Over the course of your PhD, you will complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of at least two supervisors. Your thesis will be around 80,000 words.
The University of Edinburgh contains exceptional resources for study in German, including the expansive Karin McPherson collection of German Democratic Republic (GDR) writing. Our programme includes access to skills training, including research methodologies specific to German studies.
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
Make an original, positive and lasting contribution to German studies. A PhD is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise as part of an active research community making impact across the globe. Join us at the heart of Scotland’s capital and festival city.
German was one of the first European languages to be offered at the University of Edinburgh. Since 1894, our subject area has grown into one of the University’s largest in Modern Languages and a significant centre for research.
We support a broad range of cultural and literary research themes in German studies, from the medieval period to the present. We engage innovative theoretical approaches to explore literature and film within and beyond the traditional German studies canon. Our research aims to generate new insights into the historical context of texts as well as their contemporary relevance to both the German-speaking and wider world.
Over the course of your PhD, you will complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of at least two supervisors. Your thesis will be around 80,000 words.
The University of Edinburgh contains exceptional resources for study in German, including the expansive Karin McPherson collection of German Democratic Republic (GDR) writing. Our programme includes access to skills training, including research methodologies specific to German studies.
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
MSc (Res)
Summary
A Masters by Research (MScR) programme is ideal if you would like to complete a short piece of independent research in German studies. The programme is a good stepping-stone to a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.
An MScR programme is likely to suit you if:
-
you have a clear idea what you would like to write your masters dissertation about, right from the beginning of the programme
-
you would like to be part of a large and supportive postgraduate community, while working independently
On this programme:
-
you will take courses in research skills and methods
-
you will complete two research assignments, each of 6,000 words
-
you will write a 15,000 word dissertation under the guidance of an experienced and well-published supervisor
German was one of the first European languages to be offered at the University of Edinburgh. Since 1894, our subject area has grown into one of the University’s largest in Modern Languages and a significant centre for research.
We support a broad range of cultural and literary research themes in German Studies, from the medieval period to the present. We engage innovative theoretical approaches to explore literature and film within and beyond the traditional German Studies canon. Our research aims to generate new insights into the historical context of texts as well as their contemporary relevance to both the German-speaking and wider world.
The University of Edinburgh contains exceptional resources for study in German, including the expansive Karin McPherson collection of GDR writing.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
A Masters by Research (MScR) programme is ideal if you would like to complete a short piece of independent research in German studies. The programme is a good stepping-stone to a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.
An MScR programme is likely to suit you if:
-
you have a clear idea what you would like to write your masters dissertation about, right from the beginning of the programme
-
you would like to be part of a large and supportive postgraduate community, while working independently
On this programme:
-
you will take courses in research skills and methods
-
you will complete two research assignments, each of 6,000 words
-
you will write a 15,000 word dissertation under the guidance of an experienced and well-published supervisor
German was one of the first European languages to be offered at the University of Edinburgh. Since 1894, our subject area has grown into one of the University’s largest in Modern Languages and a significant centre for research.
We support a broad range of cultural and literary research themes in German Studies, from the medieval period to the present. We engage innovative theoretical approaches to explore literature and film within and beyond the traditional German Studies canon. Our research aims to generate new insights into the historical context of texts as well as their contemporary relevance to both the German-speaking and wider world.
The University of Edinburgh contains exceptional resources for study in German, including the expansive Karin McPherson collection of GDR writing.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
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The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50, and placed 34th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Our position as one of Britain’s leading research universities was reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 90% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research …
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