Contact information
- SELCS Admissions Team
- selcs.admissions@ucl.ac.uk
- +44 (0)20 7679 3096
This degree provides the opportunity to specialise in the Danish, Norwegian or Swedish language, and to develop an in-depth appreciation of Scandinavian culture. You will have access to state-of-the-art language teaching facilities and the largest and oldest Scandinavian library in the UK, and will spend a year in a Scandinavian country.
Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Advanced
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
This degree programme gives you the opportunity to learn a Scandinavian language of which you have no prior knowledge and attain a near-native competence by the time you graduate.
You will spend your third year abroad in Scandinavia, at a university in Denmark, Norway or Sweden depending upon your chosen language.
UCL Scandinavian Studies has specialists across the areas of language, politics, history, medieval studies, literature and film.
You will have access to the largest and oldest Scandinavian library in the country, as well as state-of-the-art facilities within the UCL Language Space.
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Language modules are mandatory in each year. You will nominate your chosen language as Danish, Norwegian or Swedish. No prior knowledge of the language chosen is required. The rest of your degree will be made up of other compulsory modules featuring cultural studies and linguistics, plus optional modules chosen according to your interests.
You will also take modules from the School of European Languages, Culture and Society (SELCS). This will allow you to study subjects like literature, film, art and culture from a wider perspective. You will be exposed to broad cultural movements, issues and approaches and be able to draw on the full range of specialisms within the school.
An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.
You will also choose interdepartmental modules offered by SELCS. Options may include the study of linguistics, film and history.
Intermediate Language Module in Danish, Norwegian or Swedish
You will select 90 credits of optional modules. Options may include:
You will spend your Year Abroad at a university in the country where your target language is spoken, studying alongside native speakers, to make the most of your cultural and linguistic immersion.
The experiences and skills developed while abroad further academic and personal development, cultural and social awareness, provide a foundation for further study and enhance career prospects.
For further information please visit the SELCS Year Abroad website.
You will select 60 credits of optional modules. Options may include:
Teaching consists of a mixture of lectures, classes, seminars, group work and presentations. Language elements comprise four taught hours a week for basic language in year one, four hours a week for intermediate language in year two, and two hours a week for advanced language in the final year. A significant portion of your work will take place in guided independent study.
Most modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework and written examination. Some are assessed by essays only. Language modules are assessed by coursework and written and oral examinations.
Detailed course descriptions are available on the department website: Scandinavian Studies BA.
Upon graduation you will be fluent in your chosen language and have a reading knowledge of other Scandinavian languages. The historical and literary parts of the degree will develop your cultural awareness. You will be trained in the organisation, presentation and interpretation of complex information, written and oral communication, and independent and group work.
Many of our graduates find they are able to use their Scandinavian languages in a variety of contexts, such as working for Scandinavian companies. Recent graduates have also entered translating, publishing and teaching.
UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
“Many people are surprised that my degree programme even exists! I chose it because I wanted to take advantage of UCL's unique subjects. I don't think that I could be studying both Swedish and Finnish along with Russian evening classes at any other university in the UK.”George Ferguson - Scandinavian Studies BA Second Year
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2020/21 academic year. The UK/EU fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2020/21 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc. on this programme, please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Modern European Languages Scholarship
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/scholarships/undergraduate/MELS
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Your personal statement should reflect your interests and goals, especially with respect to your proposed degree. Some knowledge or experience of Scandinavian culture is expected, as well as an explanation of how this has motivated you to learn more. We do not necessarily require a language at A level or equivalent, but expect you to demonstrate an enthusiasm and aptitude for language learning.
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Application deadline: 15 January 2020
If your application demonstrates that your academic ability and motivation make you well suited to our degree and you receive an offer, we shall invite you to a Post Offer Open Day. There, you will be able to experience the sort of teaching we offer and life in SELCS.
Our admissions process aims to assess your linguistic abilities and attainments as well as your cultural awareness, motivation for study and intellectual potential. We may interview candidates by telephone in order to establish a level of language ability.
For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.
Page last modified on 24 February 2020