German and Scandinavian Studies

German and Scandinavian Studies brings together two of Europe's most significant language and cultural traditions, offering linguistic depth alongside a serious engagement with the histories, literatures, and contemporary societies of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries. Germany is Europe's largest economy and a central force in European politics, while the Scandinavian countries are among the world's most innovative and socially progressive societies. Understanding them through their own languages opens a very different kind of access than translation or secondary sources can provide.

At the University of Edinburgh you will develop high-level proficiency in German and in one or more Scandinavian languages over four years full time, combining language learning with the study of literature, cultural history, film, and contemporary society. You will read texts in the original, from Goethe and Ibsen to contemporary fiction and journalism, and develop the analytical skills to interpret them within their social and historical contexts. Seminars and tutorials train you in close reading, comparative analysis, and written argument.

Edinburgh's strong research culture and European connections make it an excellent place to pursue these languages. The city itself has significant international links, and the university's language and area studies programmes are taught by academics with deep expertise in the regions and cultures you will study.

Graduates go on to careers in international business, diplomacy, translation and interpreting, journalism, publishing, academia, the civil service, and cultural organisations. German in particular is widely valued by employers with European operations, and the Scandinavian countries are attractive destinations for graduates with relevant language skills. Many also continue to postgraduate study in German studies, Scandinavian studies, European history, or comparative literature.