UWA Handbook 2026

Major Overview

Description

German Studies is the study of the German language, its cultures, and its fascinating histories. In this major, you will explore not only centuries of German history and culture, but also contemporary German film and media, as well as the profound impact of German speakers on the sciences, music, literature, and philosophy, both in Europe and around the world.

Majoring in German Studies develops high levels of language competency – speaking, writing, listening, and reading – while building transferable skills valued by employers: written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and teamwork. The deliberate reflective development of your communication skills in a foreign language equips you with techniques and competencies which enhance your ability to communicate clearly and confidently in your first language as well. Progressing your language skills involves continually employing and improving the ability to process new information and retain knowledge. The interactive nature of language classes involves ongoing collaboration with your peers, which teaches you to build effective rapport and relationships, to listen and interact effectively, as well as to negotiate and cooperate. In addition to generic communication skills, engaging with another language and culture also provides you with invaluable experience in understanding difference, which both broadens your worldview and significantly increases your employment opportunities. More than just learning a language, German Studies is your passport to a global perspective.

This major is available to students with ATAR German or equivalent.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

1. show competence in the German language in the four macroskills of language acquisition—reading, writing, listening and speaking—rated according to the Common European Framework for Languages
2. interact confidently and successfully in situations involving German cultural conventions
3. interpret German language texts—written, audio, visual—in the light of German culture and society
4. move with accuracy and skill between the English and German languages and cultures
5. creatively apply language skills to a range of different contexts.

Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Prerequisites

WACE German: GER3A/3B

Courses

GRMNI German Studies can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

• BP001 Bachelor of Arts
• BP054 Bachelor of Modern Languages
• BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Units