Scandinavian Studies and Politics

Overview

Scandinavian Studies

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

Home of the Northern Scholars programme, the University has an excellent reputation for research and teaching in this area.

Over the course of your four-year programme, you'll specialise in the modern language of either Denmark, Norway or Sweden. Whichever you choose, you'll also gain an understanding of the other two, as well as of Scandinavian literature and culture, past and present.

You will spend Year 3 studying, teaching or working in a Scandinavian country.

Politics

The Politics side of the Scandinavian Studies and Politics programme at The University of Edinburgh focuses on a variety of issues in:

• politics

• political theory

• public theory

• international relations in Europe, Russia, Africa and the US

It aims to equip you with substantive knowledge of a range of political systems, institutions, processes and ideas.

This will enable you to develop and apply your knowledge and skills to the understanding and evaluation of political issues and problems in the contemporary world.

Career opportunities

As there are relatively few graduates from UK universities specialising in the Scandinavian languages, there are excellent opportunities for those who do learn Danish, Norwegian or Swedish.

This is particularly true since speakers of one language are widely understood in all Scandinavian countries.

Our graduates are to be found in every kind of career, especially those that place a premium on:

• well-honed communication skills

• thinking that is both disciplined and imaginative

• the skills and experiences you will develop during your year aboard

There are excellent opportunities in areas such as:

• translation

• journalism

• tourism

• the cultural sector

• international relations

• industry

• marketing

These include opportunities within the institutions of the European Union (both Swedish and Danish are official working languages of the EU).

There are also opportunities to continue studying at postgraduate level, with Year 4 in particular developing the research skills you'll need if you choose this path.