Why Bachelor of Arts?
Want to discover new perspectives and innovations?
Learning a new language means unlocking different ways of being and seeing the world. Gain a unique sense of achievement. Access deep cultural understanding. Enhance your humanity and open doors to new experiences in a globally connected world.
Germany is Europe's largest economy. From music to medical science, it serves an exciting career hub. With more than 100 million native speakers, and as the third most popular foreign language worldwide, German remains a language of global scope and significance. It plays a vital role as a heritage language – and one of opportunity.
Overview
Set the stage for a successful career with our flexible and future-focused Bachelor of Arts. The German Studies major builds your German language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking – while deepening your cultural understanding of German-speaking countries, past and present.
With our evidence-based and hands-on teaching approach, you’ll actively talk and interact in German from the beginning. Learn the language in its cultural and historical context. Engage with German films, novels, poetry, short stories, songs and plays. Tackle big questions about identity. Gain cutting-edge communication skills, cultural competence and intercultural awareness.
You’ll benefit from meaningful cultural experiences, including international exchanges with the German Academic Exchange Service. Enjoy talks by faculty members, guest lectures by interstate and international scholars, and presentations by advanced research students.
You’ll graduate as an adaptable professional, ready to thrive in multilingual careers. Whether international business, diplomacy, teaching or tourism, your language skills and cultural insights will open doors to exciting opportunities.
Key features
Learn to read, write, speak and negotiate in German.- Build your understanding and appreciation of German culture.
- Gain insights into Germany’s economy and influence in modern society.
- Refine your career direction and build professional networks.
- Undertake an industry internship aligned to your interests.
- Have the opportunity to take an intensive language and cultural study tour.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of Arts degrees are adaptable, with the flexibility to choose from a wide range of courses. You’ll improve your writing, communication, analysis and debate skills, learning to interpret current events and articulate compelling arguments.
The courses are tailored to boost your career prospects, helping you grow your professional network and access exciting job opportunities. Receive guidance and support from staff and industry mentors, with hands-on internships and extensive self-reflection.
The German Studies major gives you a deep understanding of German-speaking cultures, helping you reflect critically on your local surroundings and interactions within a global context.
You'll progress from basic German language proficiency, learning to communicate effectively about personal information, daily routines and immediate environments, before expanding to more complex topics like travel and history. Refine your vocabulary and grammatical competence. Deepen your cultural understanding by reflecting on original German films, music, literature and social issues. Participate in international exchanges and cultural excursions – including to historic Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement.
The major offers two language streams: Beginners – for those new to German or with some school experience – and Continuers, for those with high grades in previous study or native speakers. Depending on your starting level, you’ll take courses in:
- Beginners German
- Intermediate German language
- Upper-intermediate German language
- Advanced German: language and culture
- Germany today
- Introduction to German literature.
In addition to German Studies, our Bachelor of Arts program allows you to explore other interests by taking another major in a different discipline area.
Majors
The Bachelor of Arts is also available with majors in the following:
- Aboriginal Studies
- Archaeology and Classical Studies
- Art History and Visual Culture
- Anthropology
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Creative Writing
- English Literature
- Environmental Management
- French Studies
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Geography
- History
- International Development
- International Security
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Population and Migration Studies
- Screen Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish Studies.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 18 units for Core courses, and
- 96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
- 18 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for all Electives
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Elective 1
|
Course code
AUXX1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 2
|
Course code
AUXX1012
|
Units
6
|
Complete exactly 48 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to German Literature
|
Course code
LANG3304
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
German in Germany (Level 3)
|
Course code
LANG2308
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Beginners German A
|
Course code
LANG1305
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Beginners German B
|
Course code
LANG1306
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Intermediate German A
|
Course code
LANG2304
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Intermediate German B
|
Course code
LANG2305
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Germany
|
Course code
LANG2306
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
German in Germany (Level 2)
|
Course code
LANG2307
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Upper-Intermediate German A
|
Course code
LANG3305
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Upper-Intermediate German B
|
Course code
LANG3306
|
Units
6
|
Complete exactly 48 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to German Literature
|
Course code
LANG3304
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
German in Germany (Level 3)
|
Course code
LANG2308
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Intermediate German A
|
Course code
LANG2304
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Intermediate German B
|
Course code
LANG2305
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Germany
|
Course code
LANG2306
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
German in Germany (Level 2)
|
Course code
LANG2307
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Upper-Intermediate German A
|
Course code
LANG3305
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Upper-Intermediate German B
|
Course code
LANG3306
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced German A
|
Course code
LANG3307
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced German B
|
Course code
LANG3308
|
Units
6
|
Complete exactly 48 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to German Literature
|
Course code
LANG3304
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
German in Germany (Level 3)
|
Course code
LANG2308
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Upper-Intermediate German A
|
Course code
LANG3305
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Upper-Intermediate German B
|
Course code
LANG3306
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced German A
|
Course code
LANG3307
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced German B
|
Course code
LANG3308
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
German in Germany (Level 2)
|
Course code
LANG2307
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Germany
|
Course code
LANG2306
|
Units
6
|
Complete one Major from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Studies
|
Course code
ABORBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Anthropology
|
Course code
ANTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Archaeology and Classical Studies
|
Course code
ARCYBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Art History and Visual Culture
|
Course code
ARTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing
|
Course code
CREWBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
English Literature
|
Course code
ENGLBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Management
|
Course code
ENVMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
French Studies
|
Course code
FRENBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Geography
|
Course code
GEOGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Chinese Studies
|
Course code
CHINBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Cultural Studies
|
Course code
CULTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Gender and Sexuality Studies
|
Course code
GENDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
History
|
Course code
HISTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Development
|
Course code
INTDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Security
|
Course code
INTSBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Italian Studies
|
Course code
ITALBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese Studies
|
Course code
JAPNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
|
Course code
LINGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy
|
Course code
PHILBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Politics
|
Course code
POLIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Population and Migration Studies
|
Course code
POPUBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Screen Studies
|
Course code
SCRNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Sociology
|
Course code
SOCIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Spanish Studies
|
Course code
SPANBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Social Research and Policy Analysis
|
Course code
SOCRBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Kaurna Languages
|
Course code
KAURBARTS
|
Units
48
|
Career outcomes
Studying at Adelaide University sets you up for exciting global careers. You could help families find their new beginning as an immigration specialist. You might translate German novels into other languages. Perhaps you’ll be an influential art dealer, specialising in pieces from German-speaking regions.
You could also be a:
- Diplomat
- Interpreter
- Communications consultant
- Market research analyst
- Import/export coordinator
- Cultural liaison
- Artificial Intelligence language specialist
- Foreign correspondent
- Public servant
- Cultural intelligence analyst
- Foreign service officer
- Legal assistant.
Adelaide University graduates have secured prestigious positions at the Department of Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Goethe Institut and German consulates and embassies.
Industry trends
Learning a language is one of the best things you can do to prepare for an increasingly complex global future. Germany plays a central role in the European Union and German is used extensively throughout Europe as a language of business, music and science. Expertise in the language, and an understanding of German-speaking cultures, can uncover exciting career opportunities in Europe and beyond. This is especially relevant in fast-growing industries such as renewable energy, automotive, engineering, digital transformation, biotech, healthcare and finance within German-speaking regions.
Studying abroad will also improve your employability and career prospects (Institute of International Education, 2016) – one of the many reasons we prioritise international exchanges. Ready to become a truly global citizen?
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
