German (BA)
Learn one of Europe's most widely spoken languages while exploring literature, philosophy, and culture, and gain international experience through study abroad opportunities.
Why choose this program?
Whether you're learning German for the first time or building on existing skills, you'll explore the language alongside literature, philosophy, film, and culture while preparing for opportunities in Canada and around the world.
German is one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe and plays an important role in business, science, engineering, philosophy, and culture. At HÂþ», you'll build your speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills while exploring influential thinkers such as Goethe, Kant, Nietzsche, Freud, and Marx.
Courses combine language learning with literature, philosophy, history, film, and culture, helping you understand Germany's impact on the modern world. Students can also gain international experience through exchange programs in Germany, including opportunities to study in Munich or Kiel while earning HÂþ» credit.
You'll graduate with strong communication, research, and intercultural skills that are valued across many careers.
Careers
German graduates combine language skills with research, communication, and cultural knowledge, preparing them for careers in education, government, international business, communications, and beyond.
Knowledge of German is valuable in many fields, including international relations, education, translation, tourism, communications, and business. Graduates also pursue professional programs such as law and education, or graduate studies in German and the humanities.
Put your German skills to work: Canada’s connections with Germany and the European Union are increasingly important, including to the economy of the Canadian Maritimes. German language and intercultural communication skills can give you an advantage in international, public, and private-sector careers.
What you will learn
Build your German language skills while exploring literature, philosophy, film, and culture. You'll strengthen your communication, research, and critical thinking skills while gaining a deeper understanding of German-speaking societies.
Sample courses
- German for Beginners 1
- German for Beginners 2
- Accelerated Beginner German
- Intermediate German 1
- Intermediate German 2
- German Folk & Fairy Tale
- Monsters & Madness: Early 20th Century German FilmÌý
- Memory, Politics, Place: Berlin’s 20th Century.
This course offers you the opportunity to study Berlin’s 20th-century history and politics through an on-site field course in Germany. - Exercises in Translation and Composition
- Advanced German 1
- Confronting Fascism
- Advanced Spoken German
- Advanced German 2Ìý
- German Seminar 1
Study abroad
Study abroad is a highlight of the German program. Major and Honours students can spend up to one year at a partner university in Germany while earning HÂþ» credit.
You can also study in Berlin through the summer field course Memory, Politics, Place, held in English. Graduating students interested in teaching English in Germany can also explore opportunities through the Foreign Language Assistant Exchange.
Get paid work experience
Dal Arts students can apply for the FASS Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pilot Program, which offers a one-semester paid work term where you put what you learn in the classroom into practice, build career-ready skills and gain experience in the workplace.
Learn beyond the classroom
Arts students can take their learning beyond the classroom through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ experiential learning program.
Participate in internships, community-based projects, research opportunities and career-focused experiences that help you apply what you learn, explore your interests and prepare for your future.
Customize your degree
Customize your degree through major, honours, double major, combined honours, or minor pathways. Focus your studies on German language, literature, philosophy, culture, or film.
You can also choose specialized options such as the Minor in German Studies or Minor in German Philosophy. Pair German with disciplines such as Political Science, Environment, Sustainability and Society, English, Contemporary Studies, History, or Philosophy.
German can open doors across fields and around the world. Whether you’re interested in academia, government, business, film and theatre, museum studies, tourism, international law, scientific research, or nonprofit work, German can complement your interests and help you connect with people, ideas, and opportunities across cultures.
- MajorÌý
- HonoursÌýÌý
- Double MajorÌý
- Combined HonoursÌýÌý
- Minor
- 15-credit Certificate in German Language and Culture (coming soon)Ìý
- German LanguageÌý
- LiteratureÌý
- PhilosophyÌý
- FilmÌýÌý
- Cultural StudiesÌý
- Intellectual History
Take your German beyond the classroom through study abroad opportunities in German-speaking countries.
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Eligible students can spend up to a year studying at one of our partner universities:Ìý
- Universität Leipzig in Leipzig
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in München
- Bucerius Law School - Hochschule für Rechtswissenschaft in Hamburg
- Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel in Kiel
15-credit Certificate in German Language and Culture (coming soon)
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many HÂþ» programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Students with previous German experience should complete the department's placement process before registering for language courses to ensure they begin at the appropriate level.
Minimum overall average: 70%
- Academic English 12
- Four additional academic subjects
- No previous German experience is required
Students with previous German experience should complete the department's placement process before registering for German language courses.
International students are welcome and must meet HÂþ»'s undergraduate admission requirements, including English language proficiency requirements where applicable.
Students with German language training should complete the department’s placement process before registering for language courses to ensure they are working at the appropriate level.
