New Nordic Studies programme to start in the autumn

“Given that Scandinavia and relations between the Scandinavian countries have been discussed widely in the community in recent times, there are plenty of reasons for highlighting the bonds that unite the region. Languages are one of the fundamental bonds that unite us,” says Lise Horneman Hansen, senior lecturer in Scandinavian languages, specialising in Danish.

She and her colleagues at the Department of Scandinavian Languages have noted a growing interest in Scandinavia and the Scandinavian languages among students. Even though students today are not especially interested in languages, summer and evening courses in subjects such as Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic are popular.

“We’ve also noted that international students – our exchange students – are keen to apply for these courses as well. And there is a growing interest in the community at large in all things Scandinavian,” she says.

Three-year programme in Nordic Studies

From autumn 2026, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Scandinavian languages in the form of a Bachelor’s programme. The programme runs for three years and focuses on languages, culture and society in the Scandinavian countries. By packaging the language courses into a study programme, the Department hopes to reach more students.

In the programme you can study all the Scandinavian languages except Greenlandic and Faroese. Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic are included as part of the basic programme, and you can choose courses in Finnish, Sami and Estonian.

“It’s also possible to take an exchange semester in another Scandinavian country. So if you are very interested in Faroese, you can go to the Faroe Islands for a student exchange or a placement in another Scandinavian country,” says Lise Horneman Hansen.

Which students might benefit from this new programme?

“Students who are interested in languages or who want to work internationally within Scandinavia. There’s also a trend among young people today towards focusing on one’s neighbourhood, locally produced food, and sustainable development. We hope to appeal to many different types of students,” she says.

Long-term work with Scandinavian languages

“The programme is part of the Department’s long-term work with education and research in the Scandinavian languages,” says Lise Horneman Hansen.

“There’s an established cooperation between the Scandinavian countries’ language councils concerning the written languages while the oral community is kept alive by Scandinavians speaking and meeting across linguistic boundaries.

On 23 March, the new study programme received special attention when the Department of Scandinavian Languages celebrated Nordic Day in the Humanities Theatre, Engelska parken. Invitees included representatives from the Language Council of Sweden, the Nordic Association, the Icelandic Society and Nordiska studierådet (the Nordic studies council).

Annica Hulth