An education in German can open doors in a linguistic area that is very important for Iceland culturally, politically and economically. German is the native language of around 90 million Europeans and the official language of five European countries which have close international relations with Iceland.

Is the program for you??

• Are you interested in the culture and history of Germany?

• Do you speak German, but want to improve?

• Are you interested in languages?

• Do you want to tackle diverse projects under the guidance of Iceland's leading experts in German?

• Do you want a diverse selection of courses that suit your interests?

• Do you want to open up future opportunities in challenging careers?

What is the study about?

The programme aims to ensure that students attain the highest possible standard of German. Students should acquire knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the language and of German-speaking cultures.

Course topics include:

• Writing and speaking in German

• German grammar

• German pronunciation

• Translation

• German literature

• Cultures and history of German-speaking countries

• German in tourism

• German cinema

• Pedagogy of German as a second language

The courses are highly varied: Some are practical and focused on oral and written communication; others provide comprehensive knowledge of the literature, culture and society of German-speaking regions; others still focus on an academic understanding of the language. The programme also includes courses in translation, German in tourism, German cinema and the pedagogy of German as a second language.

Teaching methods

German is mainly taught through practice and discussion sessions with some lectures; assignments, projects and essays are also an important part of the programme.

In the second semester, students can attend a practical language course in the south German university town of Tübingen. It is also possible to take part of the programme on exchange at a university in a German-speaking country.

There are often German international students doing traineeships at UI who can offer students on the German programme individual or small group support sessions, such as conversation practice, grammar guidance, or help with writing presentations and essays.

Study options

German can also be taken as a 120 ECTS major or a 60 ECTS minor in combination with another subject. For example, a dual honours degree in German and business administration. It is also possible to take a 60 ECTS minor in practical German. Students must complete 180 ECTS to graduate with a BA degree.

A major in German can be combined with a minor in any subject at the School of Humanities and certain subjects at other schools, such as tourism studies, political science, sociology and economics.

• Undergraduate students in computer science can take 30 ECTS of German without special permission from their faculty.

• Students on the 180 ECTS undergraduate programme in tourism studies can take certain German courses without special permission from their faculty.

• Students in certain subjects can take individual German courses as electives.

The main focus of the one-year German diploma and the practical German programmes (one-year minor towards a BA or three-semester diploma) is on practical language skills, cultural communication and knowledge of German-speaking societies.