Is German Taught at Australian Universities? Everything You Need to Know in 2026

If you are looking to study German at university level in Australia, you have more options than you might expect — and some important limitations worth knowing about before you enrol. German is one of the few European languages with a meaningful presence in Australian higher education, but the landscape has changed significantly over the past decade, with some universities reducing or restructuring their language offerings.

This guide covers which universities currently offer German, what kind of programmes are available, what you can realistically expect from a university German course, and what to do if your university does not offer German.

Is German Available at Australian Universities?

Yes — German is taught at university level across Australia. According to the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), approximately 14 universities throughout Australia offer German language courses. German is most commonly offered as:

• A standalone language major within an Arts or Humanities degree
• An elective subject available to students from any faculty
• A component of European Studies, International Studies, or German Studies programmes
• A language course for exchange students or students planning to study in Germany

The depth of German offerings varies considerably between institutions. Some universities offer a full four-year sequence from beginner to advanced, while others offer only one or two years of German before the programme tapers off.

Which Australian Universities Offer German?

Here is an overview of the major Australian universities with German language programmes:

University of Melbourne

One of Australia's strongest German programmes. The University of Melbourne offers German from beginner level through to advanced, with the option to major in German within a Bachelor of Arts. The programme includes language, literature, and cultural studies components. Melbourne also has strong exchange links with German universities, including partnerships with institutions in Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt.

University of Sydney

The University of Sydney offers German through its School of Languages and Cultures. Students can study German as a major, a minor, or as an elective. The programme runs from beginners to advanced level and includes both language and cultural studies content. Sydney has a strong reputation for its language programmes and benefits from its proximity to the Goethe-Institut Sydney.

Australian National University (ANU)

ANU in Canberra offers German through its College of Arts and Social Sciences. The programme covers language skills alongside German history, literature, and culture. ANU has one of the most active German exchange programmes of any Australian university, with students regularly going to universities in Germany and Austria.

University of Queensland (UQ)

UQ offers German at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels through its School of Languages and Cultures. Students can incorporate German into a languages major or take it as an elective. UQ has historically had a strong European Studies programme that includes German as a component.

Monash University

Monash offers German as part of its School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics. The programme is available as a major or minor in the Bachelor of Arts and includes study abroad opportunities. Monash has exchange partnerships with multiple German universities.

University of Adelaide

German is offered at the University of Adelaide through the Humanities faculty. Adelaide has historical ties to German-speaking immigration in South Australia, which gives the state's universities a particular cultural connection to the German language.

University of Western Australia (UWA)

UWA offers German through its School of Humanities. The programme covers language and culture and is available as a major or elective component.

Other Universities

Other institutions offering German language courses at various levels include Macquarie University, University of New South Wales (UNSW), La Trobe University, Griffith University, and several others. Course availability at these institutions varies and may be more limited than at the major research universities listed above.

What Level Does University German Start At?

Most Australian universities offer German from absolute beginner level, so no prior knowledge of German is required to enrol. This is important because it means you can start studying German at university even if you have never studied it at school.

Courses are typically organised into sequential units:

• German 1 / Beginners German — A1 level content
• German 2 — A2 level content
• German 3 — B1 level content
• German 4 — B1/B2 level content
• German 5 and above — B2 to C1 level content

Some universities test incoming students and may require them to start at a level appropriate to their existing ability rather than defaulting to the beginners course.

What Is University German Actually Like?

University German courses in Australia typically combine language instruction with cultural and historical content about German-speaking countries. This is different from a pure language course at a private school or the Goethe-Institut, which focuses almost entirely on language proficiency.

What you can expect:

• Regular classes of 3–6 hours per week
• A combination of listening, speaking, reading, and writing practice
• Grammar instruction, often more systematic than what you would encounter in a self-study app
• Cultural readings and discussions about Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
• Assignments including written essays, oral presentations, and listening comprehension tests
• For advanced students: engagement with German literature, film, and media

What university German is good for:

• Developing a solid grammatical foundation
• Learning in a structured, accountable environment with regular feedback
• Access to language labs and university library resources
• Connecting with other learners for conversation practice
• Eligibility for exchange programmes to German-speaking countries

Where it has limitations:

• University semesters give you about 26–30 weeks of classes per year. This is significantly less contact time than an intensive language course at the Goethe-Institut.
• Progress can feel slower than with dedicated study because German is one subject among many
• Speaking opportunities in class are limited compared to immersive settings

German Exchange Programmes at Australian Universities

One of the most significant advantages of studying German at an Australian university is access to exchange programmes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Most universities with German programmes have established exchange partnerships with European universities.

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) also offers a range of scholarships and programmes specifically for Australian students wanting to study in Germany. These include:

DAAD Study Scholarships — For graduates and postgraduates planning to undertake research or further study in Germany. Highly competitive but covers tuition, living costs, and travel.

University Summer Course Grants — Funding to attend intensive German language and culture courses at German universities during the summer. These are several weeks long and provide rapid language progress combined with immersion in Germany.

RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering) — For undergraduate students in STEM fields to undertake research internships at German universities and research institutions. German language is helpful but not always required.

Details and eligibility for DAAD programmes are available at daad-australia.org.

Many individual universities also have bilateral exchange agreements with specific German institutions. Check your university's international office for details of their German partnerships.

What If My University Does Not Offer German?

If you are at a university that does not offer German, or if the courses available do not suit your level or schedule, you have several good alternatives:

Cross-institutional study — Many Australian universities allow students to take subjects at other institutions and have them credited towards their degree. If a neighbouring university offers German and yours does not, it is worth asking your student centre about cross-institutional enrolment.

Goethe-Institut courses — The Goethe-Institut offers structured courses in Sydney and Melbourne across all levels, including both daytime and evening options. These courses are specifically designed to prepare students for Goethe certification and provide excellent language instruction. They are available to anyone, not just university students.

TAFE language courses — Several TAFEs offer German language courses, typically at beginner and intermediate levels. These are often more affordable than university courses and more accessible in terms of scheduling.

Online university courses — Some Australian universities offer German as an online subject, which may be accessible to students at other institutions depending on their enrolment arrangements.

Self-directed study with apps and resources — If formal instruction is not accessible, it is entirely possible to reach B1 or B2 through self-study using the resources covered elsewhere on this site. This requires more self-discipline but costs significantly less than formal enrolment.

Is a University German Major Worth It?

This depends entirely on what you want to do with your German. Here is an honest assessment:

A university German major makes sense if:

• You want to combine German with other humanities subjects in a Bachelor of Arts
• You are interested in German literature, history, or cultural studies alongside the language
• You want access to exchange programmes and DAAD scholarships
• You are considering postgraduate study or research with a German component
• You value the structure and accountability of formal study

A university German major is less ideal if:

• Your primary goal is language proficiency rather than cultural or academic study
• You want to reach a specific level (like B2) as quickly as possible
• You are already in the workforce and cannot commit to a full degree programme
• You are in a city or field where university German is not available

For many Australians, the most efficient path to high German proficiency combines university study (for structure and grammar) with immersive self-study (for vocabulary and fluency) and formal Goethe exams (for internationally recognised certification). These three elements are complementary rather than mutually exclusive.

The Decline of German in Australian Schools and Its Impact

It is worth acknowledging that German language study in Australia has faced headwinds over the past two decades. School-level German enrolments have declined in most states, which has a downstream effect on university enrolments — fewer students arrive at university having already studied German, which makes it harder for universities to justify offering advanced-level courses.

Several Australian universities have reduced or restructured their language programmes in recent years in response to declining enrolments and funding pressures. This makes it important to check the current availability at your specific institution rather than assuming historical offerings are still in place.

The DAAD, the Goethe-Institut, and the Network of Australian Teachers of German (NATG) all actively advocate for the maintenance and expansion of German language education in Australia at both school and university level.

German at Australian Schools: A Note for Younger Learners

German is taught at primary and secondary level across all Australian states, though availability varies significantly by school and region. If you are a school student or the parent of one:

German is available at most independent schools in major cities, many Catholic schools, and a number of government schools, particularly in South Australia (which has strong historical German heritage) and Victoria.

HSC German (New South Wales), VCE German (Victoria), and equivalent offerings in other states provide a pathway to university-level study and, in some cases, partial credit towards university German courses.

The Goethe-Institut and NATG maintain resources for students and teachers of German in Australian schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study German online through an Australian university? Some universities offer German online or in hybrid format. Availability varies by institution. Check directly with universities you are considering.

Does studying German at university give me a Goethe certificate? No. University German courses do not automatically result in a Goethe certificate. The Goethe exam must be sat separately through the Goethe-Institut. However, completing university German to a high level is excellent preparation for the Goethe exam.

Can I get credit at a German university for subjects completed in Australia? This depends on the specific exchange agreement between your Australian university and the German institution. Most bilateral exchange agreements include credit transfer arrangements — ask your international office.

What career uses German in Australia? German is useful in careers in international business (Germany is Australia's 11th largest trading partner), engineering, tourism and hospitality, academia, translation and interpreting, and roles with German-speaking companies or organisations operating in Australia.

Summary

German is available at approximately 14 Australian universities in 2026, with the strongest programmes at the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, ANU, and Monash. University German offers structure, cultural depth, and access to exchange programmes — but for pure language proficiency, combining university study with Goethe-Institut courses and self-study resources gives the fastest results.

If you are not at a university that offers German, the Goethe-Institut, TAFE courses, and online resources provide excellent alternatives. The most important thing is to start — however you study, consistent exposure to German over time is what builds proficiency.

Related reading: Best German Learning Apps in Australia | How to Find a German Conversation Partner in Australia | DAAD Scholarships for Australian Students