Russian Studies and Scandinavian Studies

This joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study the languages and cultures of two neighbouring and influential parts of modern Europe.

Around 150 million people in the world speak Russian, while the languages of Denmark, Norway and Sweden have long had a considerable impact beyond the Nordic region.

No previous knowledge of any of the languages is needed. Through intensive language study, including a year abroad, you will have the opportunity to acquire advanced spoken and written skills in Russian and a Scandinavian language - either Danish, Norwegian or Swedish.

As well as your language classes, you will explore aspects of Russian-speaking (Russophone), Scandinavian and Nordic culture. Courses cover literature, history, politics, and languages in themed and comparative contexts.

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading festival and capital city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study languages in their cultural context. We are the proud home of the Northern Scholars Scheme which fosters co-operation between the Nordic and Baltic countries and Scotland.

We are the only university in Scotland, and one of only two in the UK, to offer undergraduate programmes with joint honours in Scandinavian Studies.

As well as being distinctive in our subject offering, we are also unique in Scotland in integrating a full academic year abroad into the four-year honours programme. It doesn't matter if you spend the whole year studying, or combine study with a work placement.

Studying over four years enables you to choose courses that match your own interests, expertise and employability needs. It gives you the blend of specialist knowledge and intercultural skills valued in a range of careers around the globe.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including a Year Abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to your core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities, social sciences and beyond.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 abroad, gaining lived experience of different cultures. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Russian Studies and Scandinavian Studies. You will also further develop your language and translation skills.

Programme benefits

• Learn in an historic, capital city where Russian has been taught for over a century.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in two languages.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Join societies related to what you are studying.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.