Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in German Studies

The Master of Arts in German Studies is a postgraduate programme offered by the University of Nairobi through the Department of Linguistics and Languages. The programme provides advanced training in intercultural German studies, combining the study of German language, literature, culture, and linguistics with an international study component in Germany.

The programme is designed to train students in intercultural German Studies, equipping them with advanced competence in German language, literary analysis, cultural studies, and linguistic theory. Students develop expertise in analysing literary and non-literary texts, understanding the history of German-speaking countries, and translating between German and English.

Core areas of study include German literature, literary and non-literary text analysis, linguistic theories, history of German-speaking European countries, translation studies, intercultural communication, and German cultural studies. The programme combines coursework with a research project, offering both a project and thesis pathway.

A distinctive feature of the programme is the opportunity for students to spend up to five months at an affiliated university in Germany during the second year, conducting research under a German professor towards their Master's thesis or project. This international component provides immersion in German academic and cultural environments.

The programme is designed for graduates with backgrounds in German, linguistics, literature, or related fields seeking advanced training for careers in education, translation, diplomacy, international organisations, and cross-cultural communication. Students complete two years of full-time study with coursework, examinations, and a research project.

Graduates are prepared for careers as German language educators, translators, intercultural communication specialists, diplomatic service officers, international organisation professionals, and researchers in German studies and related fields.

Skills Required

German Language Proficiency
Literary Text Analysis
Linguistic Theory
Translation Studies
Intercultural Communication
German Cultural Studies
History of German-Speaking Countries
Research Methods in Language Studies
Academic Writing in German
Cross-Cultural Competence

Key Subjects

German Literature
Literary and Non-Literary Text Analysis
Linguistic Theories
History of German-Speaking Countries
Translation Studies
Intercultural Communication
German Cultural Studies
Research Methods in Language Studies
German Language Proficiency
Academic Writing in German

Certifications

Goethe-Institut Teaching Certification
DAAD Scholarship Certification

Specializations

German Literature

Focuses on the study and analysis of German literature from various periods, including literary theory and comparative literature approaches.

German Linguistics

Examines linguistic theories applied to the German language, including phonology, syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistics.

Translation Studies

Covers translation theory and practice between German and English, including literary, technical, and professional translation.

Intercultural Communication

Focuses on intercultural communication between German-speaking and East African cultures, including cultural mediation and cross-cultural competence.

German Cultural Studies

Examines German culture, history, and society, including the history of German-speaking European countries and contemporary cultural developments.

German Language Education

Covers pedagogical approaches to teaching German as a foreign language, including curriculum design and language assessment.

Academic German

Focuses on academic writing and research in German, preparing graduates for doctoral studies or academic careers in German-speaking environments.

Comparative Literature

Examines German literature in comparative context with African and other literatures, exploring cross-cultural literary connections.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 268,500
Private, up to: Ksh 249,800
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 10 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

German Literature
Literary and Non-Literary Text Analysis
Linguistic Theories
History of German-Speaking Countries
Translation Studies
Intercultural Communication
German Cultural Studies
Research Methods in Language Studies
German Language Proficiency
Academic Writing in German

Modules

10 in the programme

Analysis of Literary Texts
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines methods of analysing German literary texts including poetry, drama, and prose, applying literary theory and critical approaches.
Analysis of Non-Literary Texts
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers analysis of non-literary German texts including academic, journalistic, and professional texts, with focus on discourse analysis and text linguistics.
Linguistic Theories
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines major linguistic theories applied to the German language including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
History of Literature
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the history of German literature from early periods to contemporary, including major movements, authors, and literary developments.
History of German-Speaking Countries
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines the history of German-speaking European countries including political, social, and cultural developments from early history to the present.
Translation Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers translation theory and practice between German and English, including literary, technical, and professional translation methods.
Intercultural Communication
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines intercultural communication between German-speaking and East African cultures, including cultural mediation and cross-cultural competence.
German Cultural Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers German culture, society, and contemporary cultural developments, including media, film, and popular culture in German-speaking countries.
Research Methods in Language Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methodologies for conducting original research in German studies, including textual analysis, field research, and academic writing in German.
Research Project or Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research project or thesis on a German studies topic, potentially conducted during a research period at an affiliated university in Germany, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

German Literature
Focuses on the study and analysis of German literature from various periods, including literary theory and comparative literature approaches.
German Linguistics
Examines linguistic theories applied to the German language, including phonology, syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistics.
Translation Studies
Covers translation theory and practice between German and English, including literary, technical, and professional translation.
Intercultural Communication
Focuses on intercultural communication between German-speaking and East African cultures, including cultural mediation and cross-cultural competence.
German Cultural Studies
Examines German culture, history, and society, including the history of German-speaking European countries and contemporary cultural developments.
German Language Education
Covers pedagogical approaches to teaching German as a foreign language, including curriculum design and language assessment.
Academic German
Focuses on academic writing and research in German, preparing graduates for doctoral studies or academic careers in German-speaking environments.
Comparative Literature
Examines German literature in comparative context with African and other literatures, exploring cross-cultural literary connections.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on German literature, linguistics, or cultural studies at the University of Nairobi's Department of Linguistics and Languages. Students engage in text analysis seminars, analysing German literary and non-literary texts in their original language. The programme includes translation workshops where students practise translating between German and English. Language proficiency sessions focus on advanced German language skills, including academic writing and oral communication. Students participate in cultural studies discussions on the history and society of German-speaking countries. In the second year, students may spend up to five months at an affiliated university in Germany, conducting research under a German professor towards their Master's thesis or project, immersing themselves in German academic and cultural life.

The trade offs

In its favour

Unique programme in East Africa offering advanced training in intercultural German studies with a study abroad component in Germany.
DAAD scholarships specifically available for this programme, covering tuition, living expenses, and the research period in Germany.
Small class sizes ensure individual attention and intensive language practice with faculty.
Strong industry links with Goethe-Institut, DAAD, and German Embassy providing career and networking opportunities.

Against it

Niche programme with limited job market demand compared to more broadly applicable degrees.
Requires prior knowledge of German as a subject in the Bachelor's degree, limiting eligibility.
Only one institution offers this programme, limiting choice and geographic accessibility.
The study abroad component in Germany, while valuable, may present logistical and financial challenges for some students.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public171k to 269k

171k at Maseno University269k at University of Nairobi

Private138k to 250k

138k at KCA University250k at Daystar University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN 268.5K verified. Daystar 249.8K verified. Maseno, KCA unverified.

DAAD offers scholarships specifically for this programme, covering tuition, living expenses, and the research period in Germany. HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students, and UoN bursaries support students with demonstrated financial need.

Funding options

DAAD Scholarship
HELB Postgraduate Loan
University of Nairobi Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

DAAD Scholarship for MA German Studies
ScholarshipKsh 500,000
Students admitted to the MA in German Studies at UoN, covering tuition, living expenses, and the research period in Germany. Application through DAAD Regional Office Nairobi.
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University of Nairobi Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
UoN students demonstrating academic merit and financial need.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme consists of 12 course units with a project or 8 course units with a thesis, taken over a minimum of 4 semesters. One intake per year in September. Students may spend up to 5 months at an affiliated university in Germany for research.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, text analysis assignments, translation exercises, seminar presentations, and research papers conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering German literature, linguistics, cultural studies, and translation, including essay questions in German and English.
Translation Portfolio
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment involving a portfolio of translations between German and English, demonstrating translation competence across text types.
Research Project or Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research project or thesis on a German studies topic, potentially conducted during a research period at an affiliated university in Germany, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi's Department of Linguistics and Languages in partnership with German universities and supported by DAAD.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
German Academic Exchange Service
Programme partnership
DAAD supports the programme through scholarships and academic exchange partnerships with German universities, providing the study abroad component.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

German Language Educator
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches German language and studies at universities, secondary schools, or language institutes, applying advanced knowledge of German language and culture.
Translator
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Translates documents, texts, and communications between German and English for organisations, businesses, or as a freelance professional.
Intercultural Communication Specialist
Low demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Facilitates cross-cultural communication between German-speaking and East African organisations, supporting business, diplomatic, or cultural exchanges.
Diplomatic Service Officer
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Works in diplomatic missions or international organisations requiring German language competence, supporting bilateral relations between Kenya and German-speaking countries.
International Organisation Professional
Moderate demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 320,000
Works in international organisations with German-language operations, applying cultural and linguistic competence in multinational environments.
Cultural Programme Coordinator
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Coordinates cultural programmes and exchange initiatives between German-speaking and East African institutions, often with Goethe-Institut or similar organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as German language educators, translators, intercultural communication specialists, and diplomatic service officers in education, diplomacy, international organisations, and cultural institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

CAT Tools (SDL Trados)
SoftwarePrimary
Computer-Assisted Translation software widely used in professional translation between German and English, supporting terminology management and translation memory.
MemoQ
Software
Translation environment tool used for professional translation projects, supporting German-English translation workflows.
AntConc
Software
Corpus analysis toolkit for analysing German texts, supporting linguistic research and text analysis in German studies.
MAXQDA
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, literary texts, and cultural research in German studies.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

German studies is only about learning the German language.
The programme covers literature, linguistics, cultural studies, translation, and intercultural communication, providing a comprehensive understanding of German-speaking cultures.
There are no career opportunities for German studies graduates in Kenya.
Graduates work in education, diplomacy, translation, international organisations, tourism, and cultural institutions, with Germany being a major economic partner of Kenya.
You need to be fluent in German before enrolling.
Applicants need German as a subject in their Bachelor's degree, but the programme includes advanced language training to develop full proficiency.
The study abroad component in Germany is mandatory and expensive.
The Germany research period is supported by DAAD scholarships, and while recommended, the programme structure accommodates students who may not travel abroad.
German studies is irrelevant in the East African context.
Germany is a major development partner and trading partner for Kenya and East Africa, creating demand for professionals with German language and cultural competence.
This programme only leads to teaching careers.
Graduates work as translators, diplomatic service officers, international organisation professionals, cultural programme coordinators, and business consultants alongside teaching careers.