Scandinavian Studies (BA)
Scandinavian Studies (BA) (B.A.)
Scandinavian Studies is a fascinating and extremely varied subject that deals with the language, literature, and culture of Northern European and North Atlantic-Arctic countries from a variety of perspectives. These include Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Sámi regions.
- Degree
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Duration of studies in semester
- 6
- Start of degree program
- Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Special ways to study
- 2-subject Bachelor, Part-time degree program
- Teaching language
- completely in German
- Admission Requirements
- No Admissions Restrictions
- Keywords
- Denmark, German studies, Iceland, Scandinavian Studies, Nordic Studies, Norway, Sweden
What is the degree program about?
The texts and topics covered during the degree program come mainly from a period extending from the Reformation to our present day, as the focus of the degree program at FAU is on Modern Nordic Philology. Texts are analyzed and interpreted from historical, systematic and literary-theory perspectives. The role of cultural and linguistic contexts can be just as important as aspects of media dissemination and comparisons with the literatures of other countries during this process.
Learning Scandinavian languages will be an important feature of your studies. At FAU, we offer Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish as first languages. You can take Icelandic in later semesters if you already speak a continental Scandinavian language. Since all Scandinavian languages are very closely related, you will quickly be able to understand and read the languages you have not taken.
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Scandinavian Studies/Nordic Philology deals with the literature, cultures and languages of Scandinavia. It examines literary and cultural phenomena in inter-Scandinavian comparison through current theoretical approaches in a historical and systematic perspective.
The program is based on intensive language training in one of the continental Scandinavian languages (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish).
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The focus in research and teaching lies on the following:
- Scandinavian literary history,
- Contemporary literature,
- Arctic discourses,
- Intermediality (text and image, text and film),
- Theater and performance practice,
- Gender studies and theories of the body
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- A willingness to read a lot and attentively
- General enthusiasm for literature and language
- Strong interest in the languages as well as the literature and culture of the Scandinavian countries
- A desire to learn one or more Scandinavian languages
- An interest in questions of literary and cultural theory
- An inclination to read and write academic texts
- You should enjoy engaging with other cultures: An extended stay in a Scandinavian country during your degree is strongly recommended.
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As in the humanities in general, there are many opportunities for starting a career, because there is no clear career field for graduates of Scandinavian Studies. Among others, the following areas of work are open to graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Scandinavian Studies:
- Journalism and publishing (e.g., as translators, proof-readers, editors)
- Cultural institutions (e.g. museums, theaters, libraries)
- Culture and event management
- Tourism (e.g. travel management and planning)
- Politics and society (e.g. cultural institutes, embassies)
- Business (e.g. in companies that have close connections to Northern Europe)
- Adult education (e.g. language teaching in Germany and Scandinavia)
In general, you should make intensive efforts to obtain additional qualifications such as job-related internships during your degree in order to get a more precise idea of the world of work and your own career goals. Internships can usually be credited as course achievements.
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FAU offers Scandinavian Studies as a first or second subject in the two-subject Bachelor’s degree program. The program can be supplemented by taking the Master’s degree program in Literary Studies – Intermedial and Intercultural.
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Possible combinations without overlaps
- Archaeological Sciences
- Art History
- Book Studies
- Business and Economics
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural History of Christianity
- Education
- English and American Studies
- French Studies
- German studies
- Greek Philology
- Hispanic Studies
- History
- Indo-European and Indo-Iranian Studies
- Islamic Religious Studies
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin
- Oriental Studies
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Theater and Media Studies
With these subject combinations, there are generally no overlaps in the timetable.
Possible overlaps in the timetable
- Computational Linguistics
- Digital Humanities and Social Sciences
- Geography: Cultural Geography as a two subject Bachelor's degree program
- Latin Philology
- Political Science
If you combine these subjects, individual courses may overlap in your timetable. For this reason, you can only combine the following subjects with your chosen subject after a consultation. Students are responsible for ensuring that the combination can be studied and that the deadlines set out in Section 11 of the ABMStPOPhil are met. When enrolling, proof of a corresponding consultation with the Central Student Advisory Service or the Student Service Center (Faculty of Humanities, Social Studies, and Theology) must be submitted.
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- No Admissions Restrictions
- Application deadline winter semester
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30.09.
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- DSH 2 (written 2 / oral 1) or equivalent
- Details and notes
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The application deadline for the winter semester for international applicants is July 15th.
In addition to the general qualification for university entrance (Abitur), there are other access options for studying at FAU.
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.