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Subject area: Scandinavian Studies

Why choose Scandinavian Studies at the University of Edinburgh?

  • We are unique in Scotland in offering undergraduate honours degrees in Scandinavian Studies and in integrating a full academic year abroad into the four-year programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.

  • We are ranked 3rd in the UK and 10th in the world for modern languages in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

  • You will study in a world-leading festival city with excellent cultural and research links to the Nordic nations. Edinburgh is home to consulates for Denmark, Norway and Sweden and has many Scandinavian shops and cafes, as well as fantastic cinemas, theatres, galleries, libraries and collections.

  • You will be part of a friendly community of staff and students, which includes a Scandinavian Society and a creative writing magazine especially for European languages. We are also the proud home of the Northern Scholars Scheme which fosters co-operation between the Nordic and Baltic countries and Scotland.

Study abroad

Studying Norwegian, which was my chosen Scandinavian language of the three on offer at the University of Edinburgh, was the best choice I have ever made. The department is full of many kind people who share my passion for Scandinavian Studies. The course starts at beginners level, but by the end of Year 1 I already felt fluent in Norwegian, with the help of amazing tutors, fellow students, and the Scandinavian community here at the University.

Lili Scandinavian Studies and Spanish MA (Hons), 2023
Lili Scandinavian Studies and Spanish MA (Hons), 2023

Introducing Scandinavian Studies

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.

Edinburgh is the only university in Scotland, and one of only two in the UK, to offer undergraduate honours programmes in Scandinavian Studies.

You can take Scandinavian Studies as a single honours programme, or jointly with one of a number of other subjects, including linguistics, social policy, Celtic and other European languages.

No prior knowledge needed

On all our programmes, 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.

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. This gives you the blend of specialist skills and broad intercultural competence valued by graduate employers around the globe.