Scandinavian Studies and History

The languages, history, politics and culture of the Scandinavian countries have long had a considerable impact beyond the Nordic region.

Studying Scandinavian Studies and History helps us understand the contemporary world, as well as shedding light on the past.

On our flexible joint honours programme, you have the opportunity to develop advanced spoken and written language skills in Danish, Norwegian or Swedish while exploring Scandinavian culture and diverse historical periods and themes.

Combined with studying options from other disciplines in Years 1 and 2, this will give you the ideal mix of specialist knowledge and Intercultural Competence valued by graduate employers around the globe.

No prior knowledge needed

You do not currently need to know a Scandinavian language, as Year 1 courses are available for beginners.

While you will specialise in one Scandinavian language, you will also gain an understanding of the other two we teach to degree level. In Year Two, for example, you can choose to explore the similarities and differences between Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.

By Year 3, you will have the skills to spend the year abroad in Scandinavia.

Year 4 gives you the opportunity to gain advanced skills in translation and to write different types of texts in your chosen language.

Why Edinburgh

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

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.

The Edinburgh experience is distinctive for its range of historical themes, chronological periods and geographical areas. You can choose from courses covering:

* the early Middle Ages to the most recent past

* Britain and Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas

Further, our courses offer a rich variety of approaches to the past, including:

* political history

* cultural history

* social history

* economic history

* intellectual history

* gender history

* global and transnational history

We are the proud home of the Northern Scholars Scheme which fosters co-operation between the Nordic and Baltic countries and Scotland.