Career opportunities
A degree with a major in German will open job opportunities in both the private and public sectors – in business, trade, consultancy, tourism, education, as well as in foreign affairs and other government agencies.
Recent Otago graduates who have included German in their degree now work as consultants, marketing managers, journalists, teachers and librarians, all around the world.
German studies graduates are generalists and have many transferable skills. Your ability to analyse and communicate effectively as well as the international perspectives that you will have gained by studying German at Otago will certainly give you an edge.
Combining another degree with German as a minor or as a Diploma also increases students' options in the job market. Increasingly, studies in law, commerce, international business and communications are enhanced when you can offer cultural experience or language skills alongside your major area of study
Studying German at Otago
In 2025 Otago students will be able to study 100, 200 and 300-level German language papers via distance at Victoria University of Wellington (VuW). Our universities have an agreement to enable Otago students to transfer credit for the German language papers taken at VuW back to their Otago programme of study.
If you decide to enrol in German language papers at VuW it is important that you complete the following form and send it to student-records@otago.ac.nz.
German Information Sheet / Form 2025 (PDF)
The following papers are available in 2025 to credit back to an Otago qualification:
| VuW Paper Code | Credit | Equivalent Otago Paper Code | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| GERM 101 Introduction to the German Language | 20 | GERM 131 Intro German 1 | 18 |
| GERM 102 Elementary German | 20 | GERM 132 Intro German 2 | 18 |
| GERM 201 German Language 2A | 20 | GERM 230 Intro German 2 | 18 |
| GERM 202 German Language 2B | 20 | GERM 231 Intro German 1 | 18 |
| LANG 301 Languages and Cultures for Global Communication | 20 | GERM 331Intermediate German 2 | 18 |
| GLBL 310 Topic in Global Studies | 20 | GERM 334 Advanced German 1 | 18 |
| LANG 303 Directed Individual Study | 20 | GERM 335 Advanced German 2 | 18 |
Recommended background
You can study German at any level. If you have studied German at school or elsewhere, you will be able to build on your knowledge and skills, and we will determine which paper will best suit your level of German.
Please contact languages@otago.ac.nz and we will help you choose the most suitable papers.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Diploma in Language (DipLang)
The Diploma in Language is offered in one of five core languages: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Arts along with other subjects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Commerce, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in German
Explore postgraduate study in German at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in a supporti...
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Papers |
|---|
| Seven of: Students admitted directly to papers at 200- or 300-level must replace their prerequisites with other papers in the subject concerned |
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | GERM 131 Introductory German 1 | 18 |
| GERM 132 Introductory German 2 | 18 | |
| GLBL 110 Mapping our Interconnected World: An Introduction to Global Studies | 18 | |
| 200-level | GERM 230 German Language 3 | 18 |
| GERM 231 Intermediate German 1 | 18 | |
| One of EURO 202, GLBL 201, GLBL 202 | 18 | |
| 300-level | GERM 331 Intermediate German 2 | 18 |
| GERM 334 Advanced German 1 | 18 | |
| Two of GERM 335, EURO 302, GLBL 301, GLBL 302 | 36 | |
| Note: Students with previous knowledge of German will be placed in GERM language papers appropriate to their level. Students placed in 200- or 300-level language papers will still have to pass approved papers worth 180 points in order to major in German. | ||
| Plus | 162 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. | 162 |
| Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | ||
| Total | 360 |
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | LING 111 A World of Languages | 18 |
| Two 100-level papers in one of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Māori, Spanish | 36 | |
| 200-level | LING 217 What's Behind Language: Sound and Structure | 18 |
| One further 200-level LING paper (excluding LING 231 TESOL: Guide to Language Teaching) | 18 | |
| Two 200-level papers in the language continued from 100-level | 36 | |
| 300-level | Two 300-level LING papers | 36 |
| Two 300-level papers in the language continued from 200-level | 36 | |
| Plus | 162 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. | 162 |
| Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | ||
| Note: In the case of Māori language, students will take MAOR 111, MAOR 211, and MAOR 311 at 100-, 200-, and 300-level respectively. | ||
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Papers | Points |
|---|---|
Five GERM papers or relevant non-GERM content papers, at least three of which must be above 100-level, including at least one at 300-level. | 90 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
More information
Contact our Schools' Liaison and International teams
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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