There has long been a strong Scandinavian influence on the Celtic world. This joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study the languages, literatures, histories and cultures of the Celtic and Scandinavian countries, side-by-side. Celtic In Celtic, we work with the medieval literary tradition in Early Irish and Medieval Welsh (the most extensive in the whole of Europe), as well as Scottish Gaelic from the late Middle Ages to the present. We also explore the rich oral tradition recorded from the 18th century to the present day, and poetry from the 18th century golden age of Gaelic literature. You will study 19th and 20th century responses to the rapid social, cultural, and linguistic changes in countries where the Celtic languages are spoken. You will also study the writing, song, and media production emerging from the lively and varied contemporary cultural scene in Gaelic Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. At all levels of study, we offer courses in language, literature, history, and culture. This will enable you to build your programme by developing your own interests in particular areas, periods, and disciplines of Celtic studies. Our expertise extends to:
- theoretical and practical issues of current sociolinguistics
Celtic languagesYou can choose to study Scottish Gaelic from Year 1, and continue to learn about Scottish Gaelic language, literature, and culture throughout your studies. If you choose this pathway through the programme, it doesn't matter if you are a complete beginner in Scottish Gaelic; 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). For this path, you will study Celtic civilisation and literature in Years 1 and 2, with texts presented in English translation. Both Old Irish and Middle Welsh are available, and students may choose to study one, or both.
Scandinavian Studies Scandinavia'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 Scandinavian culture, past and present. You do not currently need to know a Scandinavian language, as courses are available for beginners. By Year 3, you will have the skills to spend the year abroad in Denmark, Norway or Sweden.While you will specialise in one Scandinavian language, you will also gain an understanding of the other two we teach to degree level. In Year Two, 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. We are the proud home of the Northern Scholars programme 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. You will therefore spend Year 3 in either Norway, Denmark or Sweden. Our programme is extremely flexible. You do not currently need to know any of the languages, as courses are available for beginners. In Years 1 and 2 you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines, and specialise as you progress through your honours years.When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.
