Prepared with knowledge from world leaders in welfare, business, and gender equity, our graduates pursue careers in business and nonprofit work, law, academia, and STEM industries across the globe. Learn more about the unique opportunities each major provides at the links below.
B.A. in Scandinavian Area Studies
Develop a new, enhanced understanding of the world through studying the culture, politics, and history of Scandinavia. The program provides diverse options for students to learn, including small, seminar-style classes; interdisciplinary study abroad opportunities; and exceptional programs to connect to Scandinavian and Baltic communities on or near campus. Students develop strong linguistic, research, and communication skills in a welcoming, inclusive academic environment.
Scandinavian Area Studies Major Scandinavian Area Studies Minor
B.A. in Danish
By earning a B.A. in Danish, students gain experience with a culture whose global influences have been as wide-ranging as hygge and LEGO. Students build advanced linguistic skills through a three-year program in language and literature. They enhance their worldview with a current European perspective on culture, gender, politics and society, as well as cinema, folklore, history and literature. And they are encouraged to pursue study abroad opportunities in Denmark.
B.A. in Finnish
This major opens doors to a center of business, education and culture in Europe, as well as a gateway to the Baltics and Russia. Students build advanced linguistic skills through a three-year program in language and literature. They increase their knowledge of Finland, Scandinavia, and the Baltics through cultural surveys, specialized courses on topics ranging from the “Kalevala” to Finnish pop culture, and study abroad opportunities.
B.A. in Norwegian
This major creates opportunities to explore a country whose innovations in culture, technology, and politics shape the way we live now and the way we imagine the future. Students build advanced linguistic skills through a three-year program in language and literature. They learn about Norway, Scandinavia, and the Baltics through literary and cultural surveys, specialized courses on writers such as Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun, and opportunities to study abroad.
Norwegian Major Norwegian Minor
B.A. in Swedish
In this major students connect to a culture of influential artists, renowned designers and innovative problem-solvers. Students build advanced linguistic skills through a three-year program in language and literature. These skills, combined with cultural surveys of Sweden, Scandinavia, and the Baltics; specialized courses on literature and culture; and diverse study abroad opportunities, open the door to new insights and opportunities.
Language Requirements
As part of each major, students gain linguistic proficiency in a Scandinavian or Baltic language. Because most language 101 courses are available only in the fall, students should sign up for one of these classes as early as possible. If you have previous experience studying one of these languages, schedule a placement test by emailing uwscand@uw.edu.
Double Majors
For a degree in all of these majors, at least 60 credits - of which 30 must be upper division courses - must be earned. Many students in our department combine a Scandinavian major with a second major in fields such as Political Science, History, Communications, Business Administration, English, International Studies, or Germanics, among others. This is possible without exceeding the minimum number of credits for graduation—180 quarter credits.
Admissions & Advising
Please see our Undergraduate Programs section for information about applying to the program, career paths, scholarships, and other student resources. The Scandinavian Studies undergraduate adviser is ready to help if you have any further questions.