MA Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy
About this course
MA (Hons) in Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy, a German and Philosophy degree focusing on modern Scandinavian languages, cultures, and philosophical traditions. The course includes a compulsory academic year abroad in Denmark, Norway, or Sweden. The first year covers foundational subjects through morality and value, history of philosophy, logic, and philosophy of science. The second year explores epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of mind alongside cultural and literary themes. The third year is spent abroad through study or work placements in one or two destinations. The final year concentrates on advanced language acquisition including spoken Danish, Norwegian or Swedish, translation from a Scandinavian language into English, and essay, commentary and summary writing in a Scandinavian language.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 0%: 0 offers from 6 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 95 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 74%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 150 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 92%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 43%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 34%
Who gets in
Based on about 150 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 81%
- Baccalaureate: 6%
- Access course: 3%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 4%
Modules
- morality and value
- history of philosophy (may include Western and non-Western traditions)
- logic
- philosophy of science
- linguistics and language sciences
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- philosophy, divinity and law
- epistemology
- metaphysics
- philosophy of language
- philosophy of mind
- Cultural Responses to War
- Migration, Exile, Diaspora
- Crime and Detection in Literature
- Gender and Culture
- The Coming-of-Age Narrative
- Introduction to European Cinema
- Dynamics of Language and Power
- Languages Beyond University
- study in one or two destinations
- work in one or two destinations
- study in one destination and work in another
- two semesters at a single institution
- one semester at two different institutions (in different destinations)
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
- spoken Danish, Norwegian or Swedish
- essay, commentary and summary writing in your Scandinavian language
- translation from your Scandinavian language into English
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £48,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for German and Scandinavian studies.
What do graduates of MA Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy at University of Edinburgh do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy at University of Edinburgh?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 173 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy at University of Edinburgh?
0% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 0 offers from 6 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Scandinavian Studies and Philosophy at University of Edinburgh?
92% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.