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 proof of Swedish language proficiency.
Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit.
Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, Swedish
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 100%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Start date
- 2 September 2024
- Language of instruction
- Swedish
- Entry requirements
-
Bachelor's degree with a major in humanities or social sciences, including 60 credits in Scandinavian studies (i.e., linguistic or literary studies in Danish, Faroese, Icelandic, Norwegian, or Swedish). In addition, proficiency in Swedish (or alternatively Danish or Norwegian) or English equivalent to the requirements for basic eligibility for undergraduate education is required.
- 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
- 15 January 2024
- Application code
- UU-M5660
- Additional information
-
In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit 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. 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, 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.
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 programme, you choose a specialistion in either literary or linguistic. Each specialisation has its own mandatory courses, but the programme also includes several common courses.
The programme offers courses of a research-oriented nature and more generic courses. Through your own profiling within the programme's elective courses, you can influence the degree of depth and breadth of your knowledge and skills.
Regardless of your specialisation, you start the programme with an advanced introductory course in language and literature, where you meet instructors in the fields of literary studies and Nordic languages. During this semester, you also take a course in theory and methodology, with either a linguistic or literary orientation.
Subsequent terms consist of elective courses worth 7.5 credits, the option for internships worth 7.5 credits or 15 credits, and either a Master's thesis (30 credits) or a research thesis (45 credits).
Nordic Languages
The specialisation in Nordic languages provides in-depth knowledge of Swedish and possibly other Nordic languages. You develop your ability to handle linguistic phenomena and linguistically relevant concepts with a scientific approach and to apply linguistic knowledge to various types of problems.
In this specialisation, you receive a common foundation of theoretical and applied courses focused on Swedish. In addition to this, elective courses are offered that focus on other Nordic languages.
Literary Studies
The specialisation in literary studies provides in-depth knowledge of Swedish and international literature, as well as literary theory and methodology. You develop your ability to interpret, analyse, and discuss literary texts from various genres. You are also given the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the book market and other aspects of the literary public sphere.
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
The programme prepares you for careers that require the capability to analyse, communicate, and review critically, especially where knowledge of language is considered a merit. These skills are in demand in the field of cultural communication, non-governmental organisations, tourism, the business sector, etc. For example, you can work with translation and information at government agencies, organisations and international companies. The programme also prepares you for PhD studies.
Career Support
During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to participate in various activities and events that will prepare you for your future career. Learn more about UU Careers.
Register your interest
Keep updated about the application process.
Contact
- For programme-specific information, please contact Director of Studies Otto Fischer:
- otto.fischer@littvet.uu.se
- For admissions-related or general information, please contact our applicant support team:
- masterprogrammes@uu.se
Students
As a student you will find information about your studies in the student gateway.