Scandinavian Studies (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish)

The languages of Scandinavia, like its politics and culture, have long had a considerable impact beyond the Nordic region.

Today, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish continue to expand in popularity. Scandinavia's screen and literary cultures attract global critical acclaim, and the socio-economic concept of the Nordic Model is widely studied.

No prior knowledge needed

On our wide-ranging programme, you have the opportunity to develop advanced spoken and written language skills in modern Danish, Norwegian or Swedish while exploring aspects of Scandinavian and wider Nordic 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. In Year 2, for example, you can choose to explore the similarities and differences between Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.

In Years 1 and 2, you can also choose option courses from a broad list of disciplines in addition to Scandinavian Studies, or learn more about Scandinavian civilisation.

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading festival and capital city, Edinburgh is a fantastic 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.

We are also 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 cultural knowledge 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 chosen Scandinavian language and the history, society, culture and politics of Scandinavia and the wider Nordic region.

In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of subjects and 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 abroad, gaining a lived experience of Scandinavian cultures. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Scandinavian Studies. You will also further develop your language and translation skills and write a dissertation.

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.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.

• Try your hand at creative writing and publishing.