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Scottish Ethnology and Scandinavian Studies at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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Course summary

There has long been a strong Scandinavian influence on Scotland and the wider Celtic world. This innovative joint honours programme gives you the chance to study neighbouring northern European nations which have taken differing routes to modernity, both socially and politically. You will explore Scotland and Scandinavia's past and present, giving you a nuanced understanding of culture and society and how these shape our world. Highlights of this programme include:

  • working with the rich range of materials in the School of Scottish Studies Archives
  • handling and interpreting traditional resources, modern media and digital data
  • learning either Danish, Swedish or Norwegian
  • studying or working abroad in Year 3, gaining lived experience of Scandinavian culture
Graduating in this combination of subjects shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace. Scottish Ethnology Ethnology is the study of the culture and traditions of developed societies. It is sometimes described as being at the intersection where history and anthropology meet. Focusing on Scotland, but also looking at comparative material from elsewhere, you will study the varying ways in which a modern European nation expresses itself culturally. The programme explores questions such as:
  • How do customs, beliefs, social organisation, language, music and song help to create and shape identity in the modern world?
  • How do we use and make sense of the past from within our present?
  • How can this understanding help us to shape our future?
Through the School of Scottish Studies Archives, you can access thousands of hours of recordings of songs, music, stories, rhyme and verse in Scots, Gaelic and English, as well as in dialects now extinct. Scandinavian Studies The languages of Scandinavia have had a considerable impact beyond the Nordic world. The region's screen and literary cultures attract global critical acclaim, and the socio-economic concept of the Nordic Model is widely studied. On this programme, you will:
  • develop advanced spoken and written language skills in modern Danish, Norwegian or Swedish
  • explore aspects of Scandinavian and wider Nordic culture, past and present
You do not currently need to know a Scandinavian language, as courses are designed for beginners. While you will specialise in one language, you will also develop an understanding of the other two we teach to degree level and can choose to explore their similarities and differences. How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is studied over 4 years. 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 gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities, social sciences and beyond. Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 in either Sweden, Norway or Denmark, gaining lived experience of Scandinavian culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Scottish Ethnology and Scandinavian Studies. You will also further develop your language and translation skills. Programme benefits
  • Take the only programme of its kind in the world.
  • Learn in the heart of Scotland's capital city.
  • Be inspired by traditional musicians, composers and storytellers.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries, archives and collections.
  • Try out different subjects in your first two years.
  • Join societies related to what you are studying.

How to apply

14Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
VR96
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

This degree programme has a subject requirement of a language other than English. You may not use your own native language to meet this requirement. English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.  Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/335-scottish-ethnology-and-scandinavian-studies

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/335-scottish-ethnology-and-scandinavian-studies

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL (iBT)92total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:

https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
65%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
75%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands £9535* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535* Year 1
Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9535* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535* Year 1
Wales £9535* Year 1
EU £29600 Year 1
International £29600 Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535. For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits. EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Scottish Ethnology and Scandinavian Studies at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS