Venues

Central Campus

Content

The languages, politics and culture of Denmark, Norway and Sweden have long had a considerable impact beyond the Nordic region.

Today, Scandinavian languages and cultures continue to expand in popularity, and the socio-economic concept of the Nordic Model is widely studied.

Year 1:
You will take an intensive beginners' language course in either Danish, Norwegian or Swedish. You will develop your spoken and written language skills, and study aspects of literature and culture. You will take Social Policy and Society. In this course, you'll be introduced to core concepts in the analysis of key government policy areas.

Year 2:
You will continue with Danish Language 2, Norwegian Language 2 or Swedish Language 2, building on your linguistic knowledge from Year 1. For Social Policy, you will take 3 courses - Comparative Social Policy: Global Perspectives, Research Skills for Social Policy and Evidence, Economy and Social Policy.

Year 3:
You will spend Year 3 in either Denmark, Norway or Sweden. This is when you will really deepen your knowledge of your chosen Scandinavian language by speaking it daily and immersing yourself in local cultures.

Year 4:
You will develop advanced spoken and written skills in your chosen Scandinavian language - Danish, Norwegian or Swedish. You will also take a course in analysing and communicating social policy.

You will also normally complete a dissertation or a long essay on a topic proposed by yourself in consultation with your supervisor.

Entry Requirements

2026 entry requirements

Standard entry:
4 Highers at ABBB (first sitting) or 4 or 5 Highers at AABB/ABBBB (two sittings) plus a language other than English at B and English at National 5.

Widening access entry:
4 Highers at ABBB (two sittings) plus a language other than English at B and English at National 5. Highers at BBB must be achieved in one sitting.