Celtic and Scandinavian Studies MA (Hons)
University of Edinburgh
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Different course options
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Qualification

Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)

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Location

Central area campus

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)

Location

Central area campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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Sociology
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Linguistics
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Higher
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Location

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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Channel Islands
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EU
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Course info

There has long been a strong Scandinavian influence on the Celtic world.This unique joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study the languages, literatures, histories and cultures of the Celtic and Scandinavian countries.You will gain advanced skills in one or more languages while learning about extremely rich cultures, from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. You will spend Year 3 studying or working in either Denmark, Norway or Sweden.Our courses explore contemporary issues ...Read more

There has long been a strong Scandinavian influence on the Celtic world.This unique joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study the languages, literatures, histories and cultures of the Celtic and Scandinavian countries.You will gain advanced skills in one or more languages while learning about extremely rich cultures, from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. You will spend Year 3 studying or working in either Denmark, Norway or Sweden.Our courses explore contemporary issues such as language policy and revitalisation, (post-)colonialism, and migration. You do not need prior knowledge of any of the languages to study on this programme.


Celtic

At all levels of study on this four-year, joint honours programme, we offer courses in the languages, literatures, histories, and cultures of the Celtic world.You have the option to study Scottish Gaelic and build up to advanced competency in the language.A choice of pathways through the programme enables you to develop your own interests in particular areas, periods and disciplines of Celtic studies.Our expertise covers:* Scottish Gaelic from the late Middle Ages to the present, including language policy and revitalisation * the medieval literary tradition in Early Irish and Medieval Welsh - the most extensive in the whole of Europe * the rich oral tradition recorded from the 18th century to the present day * poetry from the 18th century golden age of Gaelic literature * 19th and 20th century responses to the rapid social, cultural, and linguistic changes in countries where the Celtic languages are spoken * the writing, song, and media production emerging from the lively and varied contemporary cultural scene in Gaelic Scotland, Ireland, and Wales


Celtic language study

If you choose to study Scottish Gaelic, it does not matter if you are a complete beginner; we stream our Year 1 classes to suit all levels of prior knowledge or none.You can also learn a medieval Celtic language at honours level (Years 3 and 4). Both Old Irish and Middle Welsh are available. For this path, you will study Celtic civilisation and literature in Years 1 and 2, with texts presented in English translation.


Scandinavian Studies

The languages of Scandinavia, like its politics and culture, have long had a considerable impact beyond the Nordic world.The region's screen and literary cultures 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 aspects of Scandinavian and wider Nordic culture, past and present.While you will specialise in one Scandinavian language, you will also develop an understanding of the other two we teach to degree level. In Year 2, for example, you can choose to explore the similarities and differences between Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.


Why Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the only university in Scotland, and one of only two in the UK, to offer undergraduate programmes with joint honours in Scandinavian Studies.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.We are the proud home of the Northern Scholars Scheme which fosters co-operation between the Nordic and Baltic countries and Scotland.Our flexible programme gives you the blend of specialist skills and broad Intercultural Competence valued by graduate employers around the globe.

Key stats

Sociology
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
7th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
15th
Celtic Studies (Non-Specific)
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 93 = 7% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
7%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
87%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Celtic Studies (Non-Specific) graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK Celtic Studies (Non-Specific) graduate salary
£19,000
German and Scandinavian Studies
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 90 = 10% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
10%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
87%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
German and Scandinavian Studies graduate salary at this uni
£21,000
UK German and Scandinavian Studies graduate salary
£20,000

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Modules (Year 4)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

ABB Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

ABBB Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 Grades / Points required

ABB. Required subjects: A levels: no specific A Level subjects required. Applicants with a language other than English, at B, preferred. GCSEs: English at C or 4 and a language other than English at B or 6 (if not at A Level).

ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. Applicants with Gaelic, or a language other than English, at B, preferred. National 5s: English at C and a language other than English at B (if not at Higher).

34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: no specific subjects required. Applicants with a language other than English, at 5, preferred. SL: English at 5 and a language other than English at 5 (if not at HL).

Popular A-level subjects

German and Scandinavian Studies

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

French
52%
Spanish
39%
English Literature
38%
German
36%
History
32%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£1,820 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£28,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£28,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£28000 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Uni info

University of Edinburgh
George Square Edinburgh Edinburgh, City Of EH8 9JZ United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Edinburgh Waverley  0.3 miles away
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