Scandinavian Studies and Linguistics - MA (Hons)

The University of Edinburgh

The languages of the Scandinavian countries have long had a considerable impact beyond the Nordic region.This flexible programme gives you the opportunity to learn Danish, Norwegian or Swedish while developing your social scientific understanding of language.Scandinavian Studies and Linguistics make an excellent joint honours choice by combining the study of:* a modern language in its cultural context* the expression and creation of meaningOn our programme, Linguistics options of particular relevance to language students cover:* sociolinguistics - the relationship between language and society* variation in the languages of the world* first and second languages acquisition* Global Englishes**Scandinavian Studies**Scandinavian languages and cultures are increasingly popular. The region's television, film and literature attract global critical acclaim, and the socio-economic concept of the Nordic Model is widely studied.On our programme, you have the opportunity to develop advanced spoken and written language skills in modern Danish, Norwegian or Swedish while exploring Scandinavian culture, past and present. You do not currently need to know a Scandinavian language, as courses are available for beginners.While you will specialise in one Scandinavian language over the course of your four years, you will also develop an understanding of the other two we teach to degree level. In Year 2, for example, you can choose to study the similarities and differences between Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.**Linguistics**Linguistics examines how language works, describing how sounds, words, sentences and conversations combine to express and create meaning.You will also study:* the uses of language in everyday life* the ways in which language varies across society and evolves over time* how language is mastered by childrenAs you progress through the programme, you will have the opportunity to formulate and test scientific hypotheses about linguistic phenomena using specialist linguistics and phonetics equipment.**Why Edinburgh**Edinburgh is the only university in Scotland, and one of only two in the UK, to offer undergraduate honours programmes in Scandinavian Studies.As well as being distinctive in our subject offering, we are 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.We are the proud home of the Northern Scholars Scheme which fosters cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries and Scotland.**Programme benefits*** Take the only programme of its kind in Scotland.* Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.* Go abroad for the first of your honours years - Year 3.* Build up to fluency in Danish, Norwegian or Swedish, and specialise in different aspects of Scandinavian studies and linguistics as you move through your degree.* Combine practical language learning with language science.* Join societies, attend events, and gain the skills and confidence for life after university.

School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures