Master's Programme in Scandinavian Studies
120 credits

Do you want to increase your knowledge of Scandinavian literature and languages through studies in Sweden? Then the Master's Programme in Scandinavian Studies is the choice for you. The programme has a flexible curriculum with elective courses in language, literature and rhetoric. The programme prepares you for careers in cultural communication or translation in government administrations, organisations and international companies.
Autumn 2023 Autumn 2023, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, Swedish
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 100%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Start date
- 28 August 2023
- Language of instruction
- Swedish
- Entry requirements
-
Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. The main field of study must be within the Faculty of Arts or Faculty of Social Sciences.
Also required is 60 credits in Scandinavian studies (Danish, Icelandic, Norwegian or Swedish language and culture).
Language requirements
Proficiency in Swedish equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course Swedish 3, or the equivalent in Danish or Norwegian, as well as proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. The English language requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.
- Selection
-
All qualified applicants will be admitted.
- Fees
-
If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.
- Application fee: SEK 900
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 50,000
- Total tuition fee: SEK 200,000
- Application deadline
- 16 January 2023
- Application code
- UU-M5220
- Additional information
-
In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit one programme-specific document: proof of Swedish language proficiency.
Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit.
About the programme
Scandinavian Studies is well established as an academic field in the world, and the Master's programme at Uppsala University gives you as a student an opportunity to pursue studies of Scandinavian language, literature and culture while living and studying in Sweden. Within the programme, you will meet teachers with broad research expertise. You may focus on fields spanning from runology and Icelandic to onomastics and grammar; or from Scandinavian poetry and 18th-century literature to the sociology of literature and political rhetoric.
The programme is offered jointly by the Department of Literature and the Department of Scandinavian Languages at Uppsala University. You can tailor your curriculum by choosing courses at both departments or one of the other departments at the Faculty of Arts. If you study the two-year programme, it is also possible to replace one or two of the courses with an internship.
All courses are taught in Swedish and the degree project is written in one of the Scandinavian languages, something that is internationally unique for education in Scandinavian studies. In addition to the scientific training, the education thus provides very solid training in language proficiency in scientific and professional contexts.
The courses generally emphasise communicative skills in Swedish in combination with theoretical studies. The education is normally seminar-based and offers you training in oral communication as well as academic writing. One of the departments' research specialisations is rhetoric and you can take courses focused on rhetorical communication and politics. In your overall course of study, you can choose to focus on a more practical track, by taking courses on, for example, popular science writing, publishing in practice, or project management.
Teaching is generally seminar-based and offers training in oral communication. Through various writing assignments, you will also further practise your academic writing skills. The two-year programme also offers opportunities for internships.
Student profile
Our students come from all over the world. Many see the programme as a path to further studies and an academic career, whereas others envision a career outside the university. What unites them is a great interest in Swedish and Scandinavian culture, literary history and language. Students have a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in the humanities or social sciences. Good knowledge of Swedish, Danish or Norwegian is required for this programme, which is largely studied together with Swedish Master's students.
Degree
The programme leads to the degree of Master of Arts (120 credits) with Scandinavian Studies as the main field of study. After one year of study, it is possible to obtain a degree of Master of Arts (60 credits).
Content
At the beginning of the first semester, you choose to focus on either Scandinavian languages or literature. The programme begins with an advanced introduction to Scandinavian languages and literature, where you will meet teachers from both the Department of Literature and the Department of Scandinavian Languages. Also, during the first semester, you are required to take a course in theory and method, either in literature or Scandinavian languages.
During the second semester, you will take the compulsory course Sung, Said, Written: Swedish Cultural Expressions from 1600 to the Present.
You will also take elective courses. You can tailor the programme according to your interests by choosing courses from both departments, and also from other departments at the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Languages.
The degree project is written within the chosen field of focus (literature or Scandinavian languages).
Courses within the programme
Two-Year Master's degree, 120 credits
Compulsory courses:
- Introductory Course in Scandinavian Languages and Literature, 7.5 credits
- Theory and Method (either in Literature or in Scandinavian Languages), 7.5 credits
- Sung, Said, Written: Scandinavian Cultural Expressions from 1600 to the Present, 7.5 credits
Focus on literary studies:
- Seven elective courses on advanced level*
- A degree project, 45 credits (preferably distributed over three or four semesters)
Focus on Scandinavian languages:
- Nine elective courses on advanced level*
- A degree project, 30 credits (third and fourth semester)
*One or two of the elective courses may be replaced by an internship. One to four of the elective courses may be chosen from first cycle courses.
One-Year Master's degree, 60 credits
Compulsory courses:
- Introductory Course in Scandinavian Languages and Literature, 7.5 credits
- Theory and Method (either in Literature or in Scandinavian Languages), 7.5 credits
- Sung, Said, Written: Scandinavian Cultural Expressions from 1600 to the Present, 7.5 credits
Focus on literary studies:
- One elective course on advanced level
- A degree project focused on literature, 30 credits (preferably distributed over both the first and the second semester)
Focus on Scandinavian languages:
- Three elective courses on an advanced level; one or two of the elective courses may be chosen from first cycle courses.
- A degree project, 30 credits (second semester)
Learning experience
The teaching takes place in Uppsala. The courses are usually seminar-based, but also include practical exercises and tutoring. At seminars, you present your ideas and discuss the reading you have done beforehand (a course book or other study material), while the teacher usually only moderates the discussion. The aim is to develop critical thinking and collaborative skills. Students are expected to be active participants in all forms of discussions. You receive training in both oral and written communication.
All teaching is carried out by active researchers in literature, rhetoric, and Scandinavian languages, including teachers in Danish, Icelandic, and Norwegian. Great emphasis is placed on the written word. You will write several papers of varying scope throughout the programme.
The elective courses can be chosen from the wide range of courses given at the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Languages.
Note! The language of instruction for the programme is Swedish.
Career
Innehåll
Register your interest
Keep updated about the application process.

Students
As a student you will find information about your studies in the student gateway.