Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy

Philosophy has been at the core of Western intellectual life for at least 2,500 years. Studying Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy helps you understand the contemporary world, and also sheds light on the past.

Scandinavian Studies

Scandinavian languages and cultures are increasingly popular. The region's television, film and literature attract global critical acclaim, and the socio-economic concept of the Nordic Model is widely studied.

On our programme, you have the opportunity to develop advanced spoken and written language skills in modern Danish, Norwegian or Swedish while exploring Scandinavian culture, past and present.

You do not currently need to know a Scandinavian language, as courses are available for beginners. By Year 3, you will have the skills to spend the year abroad in Denmark, Norway or Sweden.

While you will specialise in one Scandinavian language, you will also develop an understanding of the other two we teach to degree level. In Year 2, for example, you can choose to explore the similarities and differences between Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.

Philosophy

Studying philosophy will:

• allow you to think about some of the great philosophical questions in a clear, disciplined and systematic manner

• introduce you to the thinking of some of the great philosophers of the past and present

• illuminate the connections between diverse areas of human experience

• make you more aware of the assumptions that form the basis of your beliefs

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading historic, festival and capital city, Edinburgh is the ideal place to study a language in its cultural context. We are the only university in Scotland, and one of only two in the UK, to offer undergraduate honours programmes in Scandinavian Studies. Philosophy has been taught at the University since its foundation in 1583.

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.

Graduating with a degree in Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy from Edinburgh gives you the combination of language and humanities skills, and the international perspective, valued by employers worldwide.

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 may enable you to change the focus of your programme.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 studying abroad, gaining lived experience of Scandinavian culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics, periods, or approaches to Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy.

Programme benefits

• Take the only programme of its kind in Scotland.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in a language.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Join societies related to what you are studying.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.