Dutch taught programmes
| Language of instruction | Dutch |
| Duration of programme | 3 years |
Scandinavian Languages and Cultures
Contents of the programme
Scandinavische talen en culturen
The northernmost region of Europe has always had a special attraction for the Dutch. There is a sense of familiarity, since the Scandinavian languages and the way people there look and act do resemble the Dutch language, appearance and demeanor in many ways. But the craggy landscape with its fjords and lakes is straight out of a story tale. This mysterious aspect of Scandinavia and its inhabitants can not be compared to the sobriety and flat countryside of the Netherlands. It is the atmosphere that emerges in Bergman’s films, Andersen’s fairy tales and Munch’s paintings.
If you want to know more about Scandinavia, the bachelor’s programme in Scandinavian Languages and Cultures is a good choice. In the first year, you take Danish, Norwegian or Swedish as your main language, and later in the study programme you learn more about the other Scandinavian languages and cultures.
The bachelor’s programme in Scandinavian Languages and Cultures at the UvA covers three different languages, countries and cultures. Except for the University of Groningen, the UvA is the only university in the Netherlands where this study programme is available. There is growing interest in Scandinavia in the fields of information technology, commerce, drama, publishing and film. Every effort is made to create an optimal interaction in the bachelor’s programme between academia, society and the world of culture.
In the first year, students spend one semester learning whichever language they choose, Danish, Norwegian or Swedish, and attend lectures on the culture of the country they have chosen and classes in Scandinavian languages and literature. They also take courses in linguistics and literary studies and classes in research and argumentation skills with students majoring in other languages.
In the second and third year, students not only focus on their main language, they study the languages and culture of the other Scandinavian countries. They also study the philosophy of science, write a thesis, choose a minor, and can do an internship. In order to truly master Scandinavian languages and culture, it is advisable to do part of the study programme in a Scandinavian country.
After successfully completing the bachelor’s programme in Scandinavian Languages and Cultures, you will graduate as a Bachelor of Arts (BA).
Master's programmes
After the bachelor’s programme in Scandinavian Languages and Cultures, you can specialise in the one-year master’s programme in Scandinavian Languages and Cultures.
The UvA offers several other types of master's programmes for which graduates can apply:
- Duale masters: Professional master's programmes, which are vocationally oriented programmes at an academic level of a year and a half to two years including work experience
- Onderzoeksmasters: Two-year research master's programmes for which there is a selection procedure
- Other options: You might be able to enrol in other master's programmes depending on the so-called minor courses followed during the bachelor's.
Follow the link below for a complete overview of master's programmes offered by the UvA (in Dutch).
The job market
University study programmes in language do not train for a single specific profession. Graduates can find work in the area of their specialisation, but also in other jobs demanding an independent and critical attitude.
Graduates of Scandinavian Language and Cultures find work as interpreter or translator, in public relations, policy officer or press officer with the government, business, pr companies, tourism, media, publishing companies and libraries.