The University of Edinburgh
Scandinavian Studies (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish) MA (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 30 graduates of Scandinavian Studies (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish) MA (Hons) and other courses in German and Scandinavian Studies at The University of Edinburgh for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in German and Scandinavian Studies.

Overall student satisfaction
84 /100
30 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in languages and area studies

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of German and Scandinavian Studies at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26000 £26000 £31000
25-75 percentile range £23000 - £30000 £19500 - £31500 £25000 - £43500


Salary of all UK Graduates of languages and area studies

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25500 £25200 £29460
25-75 percentile range £22000 - £30000 £19567 - £32800 £22343 - £39691

Course Description

Scandinavia's languages, and its history, 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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

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 Intercultural Competence valued in a range of careers around the globe.

What our graduates say

"Without [my degree in Scandinavian Studies], I wouldn't have the linguistic knowledge or the confidence to do the work I do. I loved the small class sizes and close-knit nature of the department, not to mention the range of topics available. The teaching staff are approachable, passionate and extremely knowledgeable - I couldn't have asked for more."

  • Rosie Hedger, Scandinavian Studies MA (Hons) graduate. Winner of an English PEN Translates Award, Rosie is a self-employed, freelance literary translator working mostly with female writers.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Scandinavian Studies (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish) MA (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh

25% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
15% Secretarial and related occupations
10% Sales occupations
10% Managers, directors and senior officials
10% Finance Professionals
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Web and Multimedia Design Professionals
5% Elementary occupations
5% Administrative occupations
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for German and Scandinavian Studies

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

Total 65 with at least 5.5 in each component.

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

PTE Academic 62

Total 62 with at least 54 in each component

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Scandinavian Studies (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish), MA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Scandinavian Studies (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish) MA (Hons)

Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £26500 year 1
International £26500 year 1

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

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.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 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.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Edinburgh in top UK and global rankings.

See all 38 university rankings of The University of Edinburgh

About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is located in the Scottish city of the same name, and is one of the oldest universities in the entire United Kingdom, having opened in the year 1583. The university enjoys a strong reputation for its contributions to international research efforts, which is reflected in their inclusion in the Russell Group, Universitas 21, and Una Europa. Edinburgh offers its residents a historic yet modern city, with a lively nightlife scene, reliable public transport, and friendly locals.

List of 686 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Edinburgh - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Central area campus
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