Course details

Summary

The German language is a leading world language, mother tongue of almost 100 million speakers. The German-speaking countries - Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein - form the largest language area in Central Europe. It is an important language of trade, with Germany being the third largest economy in the world. Germany's influence has been growing steadily since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989. German is a commonly used language in Eastern European countries and its influence has increased since the enlargement of the EU. There are about 17 million learners of German in the world - you could be one of them.

Knowledge of German can be vital to international work in the areas of science, engineering, business and tourism. German also holds the key to a deeper understanding of where our modern world has come from and where it might be going. Through its authors, philosophers, composers, painters and scientists, German-speaking Europe has not only been at the crossroads of history for the past 800 years, but promises to remain one of the most important world cultures in the future.

Recommended preparation

The German programme offers courses for both beginners and those who have prior knowledge of the German language.

Courses

100-level courses

At 100-level there are three courses which do not presuppose any knowledge of the German language:

GRMN151 Elementary German Language A

EURA101 Global EUrope

EURA104 European Languages in Europe and Beyond

Some knowledge of the language is required for the first-year course GRMN152 Elementary German Language B, and this naturally applies to courses at 200 and 300-level as well.

Courses from European and European Union Studies can be credited towards a Bachelor of Arts in German.

Placement tests are available for any student wishing to enrol in German language courses and who is unsure of their entry level.

200-level and beyond

After GRMN151 and GRMN152, language studies continue with GRMN251 Intermediate German Language A and GRMN252 Intermediate German Language B. These language courses constitute excellent preparation for any of the various scholarship opportunities at German universities and in particular for our exchange programmes with the universities of Konstanz and Freiburg.

Career opportunities

A knowledge of German and a familiarity with the cultures of Austria, Germany and Switzerland can enhance a wide range of career options. People who demonstrate an open and informed attitude to the world are rightly preferred for many business and governmental positions, and skills in German are likely to prove particularly attractive as New Zealand's trade and tourism relations with Europe continue to grow.

Diplomatic service, teaching, journalism and library and information services are further areas in which German has proved to be a highly useful course of study.

The exchange programmes with the universities of Konstanz and Freiburg provide an excellent opportunity to study at a German university and to plan ahead for a career in a German-speaking country.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Certificate in Arts. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.