German and Scandinavian Studies (MA)

The University of Edinburgh

United Kingdom, Edinburgh

University Rank:#34

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Duration4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 37,654 / year(s)

Next IntakeSeptember 1, 2026

German and Scandinavian Studies (MA)

About

Introducing MA German and Scandinavian Studies

This unique joint honours programme is your opportunity to study the languages and cultures of two neighbouring and influential parts of modern Europe.

Over one third of Europeans speak German as their first language, while the languages of Denmark, Norway and Sweden have long had a considerable impact beyond the Nordic region.

Through intensive language study, including a year abroad, you will have the opportunity to acquire advanced spoken and written skills in both German and a Scandinavian language - either Danish, Norwegian or Swedish. No previous knowledge of any of the languages is needed.

In addition to your language classes, you will explore aspects of German-language and Scandinavian culture. Courses cover literature, cinema, history, society, politics, and languages in themed and comparative contexts.

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading festival and capital city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study languages in their cultural context.

We are the only university in Scotland, and one of only two in the UK, to offer undergraduate programmes with joint honours in Scandinavian Studies. We are the proud home of the Northern Scholars Scheme which fosters co-operation between the Nordic and Baltic countries and Scotland.

As well as being distinctive in our subject offering, we are also unique in Scotland in integrating a full academic year abroad into the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.

Studying over four years enables you to choose courses that match your own interests, expertise and employability needs. It gives you the blend of specialist skills and Intercultural Competence valued in a range of careers around the globe.

What our graduates say

I liked Edinburgh as it gave me the opportunity to combine German with another less common language. It is a beautiful city where there is a lot going on, without feeling overwhelming, and it's easy to get around. I use things I learnt at Edinburgh every day in my work: I translate from Swedish to English, but also [use] other skills... such as communicating information clearly and concisely, and properly researching articles and checking my sources.

Becky Waterton, German and Scandinavian Studies MA (Hons), 2017. Based in Sweden, Becky is Deputy Editor of The Local, a news platform with sites in nine European countries, including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: AAB. (Revised 18/04/2024 to lower entry requirements from AAA.)
IB: 37 points with 666 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

SQA: Highers: a language other than English at B. National 5s: English at C.
A Levels: a language other than English at B. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
IB: HL: a language other than English at 5. SL: English at 5.

Additional requirements

Language requirement

For degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

English Program Requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

SQA National 5 at C
GCSE at C or 4
Level 2 Certificate at C
IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

Career

Skills and experience

Studying languages to degree level demonstrates that you are a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas – what employers value as Intercultural Competence.

Beyond the language skills you will develop, you will also gain a nuanced understanding of diverse cultures and societies.

Graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility.

The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers when you graduate include the ability to:

understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
work independently and as part of a group

Opportunities across sectors

Combining German with a Scandinavian language, you will be one of very few graduates from UK universities specialising in Danish, Norwegian or Swedish while speaking a major European language in addition to English.

Since speakers of one Scandinavian language are widely understood across the Nordic region, and German extends your reach into central and eastern Europe, you will be well-placed to work in a number of countries.

Increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics means that, wherever you are based in the world, the ability to understand and communicate in your chosen languages will make you stand out.

Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous language graduates have gone on to career pathways in:

business, finance and commerce
communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
education, outreach, advocacy and training
journalism, broadcasting and media
leisure, tourism and travel
politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
publishing, culture, heritage and the arts
research, development and venture acceleration
translating and interpreting

What our graduates say

I don’t have a background in journalism, but the fact that I had a degree in Scandinavian Studies more than made up for this when I applied for my current job. It’s such an unusual degree, and so difficult [for employers] to find native-English speakers who can communicate well and are also fluent in a Scandinavian language.

Becky Waterton, German and Scandinavian Studies MA (Hons), 2017. Becky started Danish as a complete beginner in her first year with us and now lives and works in Sweden. She is Deputy Editor of The Local, a news platform with sites in nine European countries, including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

Further study

The enhanced research skills you will develop on a four-year programme, particularly in your honours years, are a valuable asset if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level.

At the University of Edinburgh, we typically offer Masters by Research degrees in both German and Scandinavian Studies. Either of these programmes is a good foundation for a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.

Taught masters (MSc) programmes generally comprise a combination of core and optional courses taught by specialists in the field, training in research methods, and an independent dissertation or piece of creative work. Our portfolio of taught MSc programmes typically includes:

Comparative Literature
Intermediality
Translation Studies

Careers advice

Throughout your time with us, we will encourage you to identify and hone your employability skills.

LLC has a dedicated Careers Consultant within the University's excellent Careers Service.

Through our careers service, you can:

book one-to-one appointments and practice interviews
access a range of online resources
attend themed fairs such as the Creative and Cultural Careers Festival

Popular peer support includes Life After LLC, a panel event where you can draw inspiration from our recent graduates.

Be inspired by our alumni

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

37,654 / year(s)

German and Scandinavian Studies (MA)

The University of Edinburgh

United Kingdom, Edinburgh

Go to Official Website