Scandinavian Studies

Information for applicants and offer holders for our degree programmes in Scandinavian Studies. Velkommen/Velkomen/Välkommen!

I’m delighted that you are interested in studying with us and very much hope that you will join our community.  

We’ve been teaching modern Scandinavian languages at Edinburgh since 1987. Today, we are the only university in Scotland, and one of only two in the UK, to offer undergraduate honours programmes in Scandinavian Studies.  

We specialise in teaching students with different levels of language experience, and many of our graduates started as complete beginners in Scandinavian languages.  

We hope that the information we’ve provided will help you choose the right university and degree for you.  

Professor Alex Thomson, Head of School  

Degree programmes and structures

Need a refresher on the details of the degree programme you've applied for? Our Degree Finder provides more information about your programme, such as:

  • what you will study
  • where you will study
  • career opportunities
  • fees, costs and funding 

Scandinavian Studies degree programmes: 2025 entry

 

A Degree Programme Table (DPT) provides comprehensive information about the structure of a degree programme, including both compulsory and optional courses. The detailed programme content for 2025/26 is available below. 

 

Scandinavian Studies degree structures 2025/26

Why study Scandinavian Studies at Edinburgh?

The languages of Scandinavia, like its politics and culture, have long had a considerable impact beyond the Nordic region. Scandinavia's screen and literary cultures attract global critical acclaim, and the socio-economic concept of the Nordic Model is widely studied. 

Study with us, and get the opportunity to develop advanced competency in either Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, gaining the language skills for social and professional settings. While you specialise in one Scandinavian language, you will also develop an understanding of the other two we teach to degree level. You don’t currently need to know a Scandinavian language, as courses are available for complete beginners. 

Speakers of one Scandinavian language are widely understood in all Scandinavian countries, and over the course of your studies, you can choose to delve into the similarities and differences between Danish, Swedish and Norwegian. As well as language learning, you will also explore Scandinavian culture, past and present.   

Studying a language in context demonstrates that you are a good communicator and someone who is open to other cultures and new ideas; what employers value as Intercultural Competence. Our Scandinavian Studies graduates have gone on to careers in the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors around the world.  

You can take Scandinavian Studies as a single honours degree or jointly with 14 other humanities subjects, including linguistics, social policy, Celtic and other European languages.   

Undergraduate degrees in Scandinavian Studies

On all of our undergraduate degree programmes, you will:  

  • Study over four years, giving you choice, flexibility and the chance to develop skills in all aspects of the humanities.  
  • Study abroad in Year 3. You will spend time in either Denmark, Norway or Sweden, gaining a lived experience of Scandinavian culture. If you’re taking Scandinavian Studies with another language, you’ll study elsewhere too. 
  • Learn at the heart of Scotland's capital city. When you are on campus, you’ll spend most of your time in the University of Edinburgh's Central Area; in class, in the library, or in one of our many social and support spaces.  
  • Get a chance to join societies related to what you’re studying. There are more than 300 to choose from, including the Scandinavian Society. We also have a creative writing magazine for European languages, giving you the opportunity to write, edit and publish in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish. 
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections, including more than 16,000 resources in Scandinavian Studies at the University, and national galleries and museums within a short walk of campus. 

Have you applied for a joint honours degree? Don't forget to look at the information for each of your subjects. 

Not sure which School looks after the other subject of your degree? Check our School list for information on the subjects they manage. 

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences: Schools and subjects 


This article was published on