Course summary
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.
How to apply
This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.
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:
- R600
- 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
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
Scottish Higher - ABBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
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/242-scandinavian-studies-danish-norwegian-swedish
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
Scottish Higher - ABBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course
https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/242-scandinavian-studies-danish-norwegian-swedish
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | total 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) | 92 | total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. |
Cambridge English Advanced | total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
Cambridge English Proficiency | total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
Trinity ISE | ISE 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
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
Provider information
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL