MA Scandinavian Studies and Politics
About this course
MA (Hons) in Scandinavian Studies and Politics, a joint honours degree spanning the fields of Politics and International Relations and German, focuses on the languages, history, politics, and culture of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The four-year programme includes a compulsory academic year abroad in Denmark, Norway, or Sweden, which can be spent studying, working, or a combination of both. The first year covers foundational study through Politics and International Relations 1A - Concepts and Debates, Politics and International Relations 1B - The Global Dimension, and Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory). Year 2 offers options such as 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, and Languages Beyond University. Year 3 involves spending time abroad through 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, or one semester at two different institutions (in different destinations). The final year concentrates on language proficiency, featuring modules in spoken Danish, Norwegian or Swedish, essay, commentary and summary writing in your Scandinavian language, and translation from your Scandinavian language into English.
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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What students say
Based on about 33 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 80%
- Learning opportunities: 69%
- Assessment and feedback: 70%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 56%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
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%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 16%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 14%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 11%
- Sales occupations: 8%
- Elementary occupations: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 20 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 30%
- South East: 5%
- Scotland: 45%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- Politics and International Relations 1A - Concepts and Debates
- Politics and International Relations 1B - The Global Dimension
- Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory)
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- linguistics and language sciences
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- philosophy, divinity and law
- 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £27,000 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £41,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £3,000 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of MA Scandinavian Studies and Politics 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
80% 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 170 UCAS points.
Does MA Scandinavian Studies and Politics 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.