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University of Aberdeen · Undergraduate
MA (Hons) Geography and German Bachelor's degree at the University of Aberdeen
MA (Hons) Geography and German at University of Aberdeen combines geographical and linguistic study, covering specialisations such as core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills.
MA (Hons)
Award
5
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
MA (Hons) Geography and German is a Bachelor's degree (MA (Hons)) at the University of Aberdeen, based in Old Aberdeen. It runs 5 years, studied full-time.
For Languages and area studies graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 50% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sociology & Social Sciences, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.6
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional94
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Strong75
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 75% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 11 modules
- Academic Writing for Language & LiteratureCompulsory
Module details
Evaluation designed to find out if your academic writing is of a sufficient standard to enable you to succeed at university and, if needed, to provide support to improve.
- Getting Started at the University of AberdeenCompulsory
Module details
Course prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students, studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
- Creating the AnthropoceneCompulsory15 credits
Module details
Reflects upon the role humans have played in creating the Anthropocene, a time period during which human actions have become more significant than natural processes in shaping our world. Drawing primarily upon perspectives from physical and human geography.
- The UN Sustainable Development Goals: Transforming Our WorldCompulsory15 credits
Module details
Interrogates the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. These encompass contemporary global challenges such as responsible consumption and production, no poverty, clean water and climate action. Drawing upon Human and Physical Geography perspectives.
- German for Beginners 1Optional15 credits
Module details
Language course provides students with a sound foundation in German (grammar and vocabulary). Enables students to understand the gist of authentic written and spoken German and to speak and write about familiar topics. No previous knowledge of German is required.
- German for Beginners 2Optional15 credits
Module details
Language course provides students with a sound foundation in German (grammar and vocabulary). Enables students to understand the gist of authentic written and spoken German and to speak and write about familiar topics.
- Background to German for Beginners 1Optional15 credits
Module details
Students will gain detailed knowledge and understanding of the fascinating political and cultural developments and historical events in 20th century Germany. Taught in English and normally taken in conjunction with GM1054 German for Beginners 1.
- The Global City in Text and FilmOptional15 credits
Module details
Focusing on major cities in Europe and the Americas, uses a range of texts, including films, poetry and fiction, to investigate urban spaces as sites of promise, power and loss. Explores representations of global cities and experiences of urban dwellers.
- German Language 1Optional15 credits
Module details
Designed for students with an SCE H in German or equivalent. The course develops receptive and productive oral and written German language skills. Students considering applying for entry to German Honours must take this course.
- German Language 2Optional15 credits
Module details
Designed for students with an SCE H in German or equivalent. The course develops receptive and productive oral and written German language skills. Builds on GM1050.
- Modern German Culture 1Optional15 credits
Module details
Learn more about German 20th-century literature, dealing with the events that shaped German and European history. Discusses universal themes and topics covering all of the most important aspects of modern life.
Year 2 9 modules
- Modern German Culture 4Compulsory
- Space, Economy and SocietyCompulsory15 credits
Module details
Examines political, economic, social and cultural change from a geographical perspective. Consists of five distinct blocks introducing economic, urban, tourism, cultural and social geography. Uses case studies drawn from the staff's own fields of research.
- Skills and Techniques in GeosciencesCompulsory15 credits
Module details
Introduces students to a range of scientific and social scientific skills and techniques used in Geography. The course content builds towards a residential field trip that takes place in the Easter vacation.
- Modern German Culture 3Compulsory15 credits
Module details
Learn more about modern German history and culture while also extending your skills in reading German texts.
- German Language (Advanced Introductory) 1Optional15 credits
Module details
Language classes leading to advanced communicative competence in German and includes the analysis of contemporary texts drawn from a variety of contexts. May be taken only by students who have completed the German for Beginners courses.
- German Language (Advanced Introductory) 2Optional15 credits
Module details
Extends and reinforces students' command of German grammar, vocabulary and syntactic structures, and introduces various styles of written and spoken German. Builds on the work done in GM2040.
- German Language 3Optional15 credits
Module details
Level two language course that will build on and extend students' fluency and written skills in German.
- German Language 4Optional15 credits
Module details
Builds on work done in GM 2042, develops further language skills.
- Physical EnvironmentsOptional15 credits
Module details
Provides an understanding of environmental processes and landscape change through time and space. Places Physical Geography as an integral component of Earth System Science. Explores physical environmental processes and evidence of environmental change across temporal and spatial scales.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study the interaction of human societies with the places they inhabit, combined with the German language and culture. A course like this typically begins with foundational sociology, examining class, gender, race and social order, alongside social problems and policy. You'll learn research methods through interviews, surveys and ethics in Year 1. Year 2 moves to social theory, from classical thinkers to contemporary perspectives, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. You can pursue specialisations such as criminology, social policy, gender and identity, or migration. In Year 3, you'll engage with specialist options, research-led seminars on current social questions, and undertake your own empirical or theoretical research project. Throughout, your German studies develop language proficiency and critical understanding of German-speaking cultures and societies.
Who it's for
This course suits students with A-level qualifications or equivalent. Recent entrants typically held UCAS tariffs between 176 and 191 points. You'll need commitment to both geography and German language study over the full five-year programme. The course is full-time only, so you should be prepared for sustained, intensive study rather than part-time flexibility.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 85% of graduates in Sociology and Social Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their education. Graduate earnings across the field vary: starting salaries (at 15 months) typically range from £23,000 to £30,000; after three years, £20,400 to £28,800; and after five years, £24,650 to £34,800. These are national figures from Graduate Outcomes and Longitudinal Education Outcomes data, not university-specific guarantees. Your actual outcome will depend on your choices, experience, and the opportunities you pursue.
University & format
This MA (Hons) degree is studied full-time over 5 years at the University of Aberdeen, a public university in Old Aberdeen. Teaching is in English. The University of Aberdeen is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; its degrees are nationally recognised and the university is.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 88%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent100% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 176 - 191 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Aberdeen's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 100% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*+A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeLR72quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code LR72). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Aberdeen whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Internationalset by the university
Set under Scotland's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at University of Aberdeen →If you normally live in Scotland
For eligible Scottish-domiciled students at an eligible Scottish provider, SAAS can pay tuition directly. Living-cost support can combine bursary and loan and depends on household income and student circumstances. Students from elsewhere use their home funding body.
Check the current amounts with SAAS →Paying for it
- SAAS tuition payment: paid directly to the university for eligible Scottish-domiciled students, applied for through SAAS.
- Living-cost support: a mix of bursary and loan from SAAS, depending on household income.
- Repayment: only above the Scottish repayment threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Scotland runs its own system through SAAS; check saas.gov.uk for current rates.
Funding matched to this course
All University of Aberdeen funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Sociology & Social Sciences graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £24,500 | £23,000 – £28,500 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £25,000 | £21,500 – £31,000 | 40 |
| 5 years after | £30,000 | £27,000 – £36,500 | 45 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
90%
in work or further study 15 months on
50%
in highly skilled work or study
75%
continue past their first year
75%
find their work meaningful
55%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sociology & social sciences · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Sociology & Social Sciences nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,500
£23,000 – £30,000After 3 years LEO
£25,000
£20,400 – £28,800After 5 years LEO
£30,000
£24,650 – £34,800national rangethis course’s medianaxis £19,000 – £36,000
National figures for Sociology & Social Sciences graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
90 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
75% working20% working and studying0% in further study50% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Sociology & Social Sciences courses at the same study level.
This course £30,000Peer median £29,000Middle 50% £26,500–£33,000
59th percentile
Compared with 751 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Anglia Ruskin UniversityBA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies£30,000Anglia Ruskin UniversityBA (Hons) Montessori Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitoner)£30,000Anglia Ruskin UniversityBA (Hons) Working with Children, Families and Communities£30,000Cardiff UniversityBSc (Hons) Marine Geography£30,000
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupationsSOC 2020 62 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £22,297
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction ProfessionalsSOC 2020 245 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £45,972
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 25; response rate: 80%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Sociology & Social Sciences graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Sociology & Social Sciences courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled89%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Sociology & Social Sciences graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Local authorities
- Charities & NGOs
- Research organisations
- Government & universities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Sociology & Social Sciences graduates.
Sociology AdjunctCommonwealth Of VirginiaSociology ECT - High-Achieving Secondary School in BrightonMarchant RecruitmentHead of Psychology and SociologyTeacherActiveLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Fees for this course are set under Scotland's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Tuition for eligible Scottish-domiciled students is paid by SAAS directly to the university, applied for through SAAS and not Student Finance England. Living-cost support is a mix of bursary and loan, and you repay only above the Scottish threshold.
📈
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £24,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.6 out of 10: NSS 93.9% · in work or study 90% · continued 75%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Aberdeen
All students13,930
International18.8%
Aged 25+29.2%
Social sciences across the UK
Students275,900
Aged 25+37%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is Sociology & Social Sciences right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Aberdeen from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Aberdeen; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
University of Aberdeen offers the Aberdeen Global Scholarship (£6,000/yr) for international students, see Scholarships above.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Aberdeen and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Aberdeen
Sociology & Social Sciences at other universities
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 176 - 191 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by the University of Aberdeen. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Languages and area studies graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 50% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
Fees for this course are set under Scotland's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Tuition for eligible Scottish-domiciled students is paid by SAAS directly to the university, applied for through SAAS and not Student Finance England. Living-cost support is a mix of bursary and loan, and you repay only above the Scottish threshold. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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