French and Scandinavian Studies

This unique joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study two very different European languages in their diverse cultural contexts.

French is a major world language, spoken in many parts of Europe, Africa and the Americas. Through literature and other media, the languages of Denmark, Norway and Sweden have long had a considerable impact beyond the Nordic region.

Over the course of four years on this programme, including a year abroad, you can build advanced spoken and written skills in French and in either Danish, Norwegian or Swedish. No previous knowledge of a Scandinavian language is required.

While you will specialise in one Scandinavian language, you will also gain a working and social understanding of the other two we teach to degree level.

As well as your language classes, you will explore aspects of French-speaking (Francophone) and Scandinavian culture. Courses cover:

• literature and cinema

• political history and social movements

• philosophical ideas

You can also gain knowledge and skills in different areas of the arts, humanities and social sciences, particularly in your pre-honours years (Years 1 and 2).

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 only university in Scotland, and one of only two in the UK, to offer undergraduate programmes with joint honours in Scandinavian Studies. We are the proud home of the Northern Scholars Scheme which fosters co-operation between the Nordic and Baltic countries and Scotland.

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, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.

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 skills and intercultural awareness 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 studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses. This may enable you to change the focus of your programme.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 abroad, gaining a lived experience of different cultures. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to French and Scandinavian Studies.

Programme benefits

• Learn in an historic, capital city with international festivals.

• Take the only programme of its kind in Scotland.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in two languages.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.