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Year Abroad

Residence Abroad

All students taking an Honours course in German are required to spend a period of time in a German-speaking country. There are basically three ways in which students can fulfil the residence requirement:

By working as an English-language assistant in a German or Austrian school.
By studying at a German, Austrian or Swiss university.
By doing a work placement.

Residence Requirement

Candidates for Single Honours in German Studies (Mode A) or for Joint Honours (Mode A) in German and a subject other than French or Hispanic Studies must spend at least one academic session (9 months) in a German-speaking country. Such residence should normally be continuous.

Candidates for Single Honours in German Studies (Mode B) or Joint Honours (Mode B) in German and a subject other than French or Hispanic Studies must spend at least half an academic session in a German-speaking country. Such residence should normally be continuous.

Candidates for Joint Honours in German and either French or Hispanic Studies must spend at least half an academic session in a German-speaking country and half an academic session in a country where French or Hispanic Studies is spoken. Such residence should normally be continuous in each case.

Candidates for German with Film Studies (Mode A) must spend at least one academic session (9 months) in a German-speaking country. Such residence should normally be continuous.

For all Mode A degree programmes periods of residence abroad should normally be completed before entry to the Junior Honours year.

Assistantships

Working as an English-language assistant

Administered on the British side by the British Council, the assistantship scheme provides for the exchange of foreign-language assistants between Britain and various countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. During the first term of each year a representative of the British Council visits Aberdeen to address students interested in taking up an ELA or Comenius assistantship at a school abroad. The representative outlines what is expected of an assistant in a German/ Austrian/Swiss school and describes probable salary and accommodation arrangements. He or she also advises students on how to fill in the application forms and explains the whole application procedureStudents are encouraged to discuss any aspect of the process with members of staff before or after the first Year Abroad meeting.

Note that: Appointments as assistants are for the duration of one complete academic session;
Students should fill in the forms carefully and supply good quality photographs, particularly as one of the copies of their application, together with one of the photographs submitted, will be passed on to the German/Austrian/Swiss authorities.

Studying at a German, Austrian or Swiss university

The University of Aberdeen has official exchange scholarships with the Universities of Zürich and Kiel, and the Department of German operates an exchange with the Catholic University of Eichstätt. The Department also has Erasmus agreements with the following German and Austrian universities:

Austria
University of Vienna
University of Graz

Germany

University of Jena

University of Karlsruhe

University of Leipzig

University of Rostock

University of Cologne

University of Eichstätt

University of Trier

University of Bonn

University of Regensburg

University of Freiburg

Further information on studying in Germany (in German)

Switzerland

University of Zürich

Work placements

The German Department may be able to help you find an internship in Germany or Austria, but we cannot guarantee a placement. Please discuss your options with the Year Abroad co-ordinator.

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