The Department of German Language and Literature commenced its activities at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the 1966/1967 academic year. The aim of the department is to conduct research in the fields of the languages, literatures, and cultures of German-speaking countries within the framework of linguistics and literary studies, to develop German teaching methods, and to train experts in these areas to meet the need for qualified personnel in both scientific study and practical applications in our country. Another goal of the department is to produce solutions that will help Turkish and German-speaking societies better understand each other by researching the linguistic and cultural characteristics of these societies.

Education is conducted in 30-40 person classrooms in accordance with contemporary educational concepts. A departmental library containing five thousand books on field knowledge is available for students' use. Graduates can work in various official institutions and private organizations, especially in the Ministries of Tourism, Culture, and Foreign Affairs; they can work particularly in the sectors of banking, journalism, foreign trade, and tourism. Our graduates, who also have job opportunities in other areas related to German or Germany, can work as German lecturers at our universities. Those who have a teaching certificate can work as teachers in public and private schools. Additionally, our graduates can have job opportunities as German translators – interpreters in different fields.

The language of instruction in the department is German; students who fail the proficiency exam must undergo one year of preparatory education.

The department offers Master's and Doctoral programs in the disciplines of German Language and German Literature.