Scandinavian Language and Literature

master nordisk

Scandinavian Language and Literature

Scandinavian Language and Literature - Master's Programme

The language of instruction in this programme is Norwegian. Read more about the programme on the Norwegian website

The objective of the two-year master's programme in Scandinavian Language and Literature is to enable students to analyze and understand Norwegian and Scandinavian languages and literature by means of modern systematic and historical approaches.

The master's programme builds on the specialization within the bachelor's programme in Language and Literature, but involves a deeper and more specialized study within the disciplines of Scandinavian Language and Literature respectively.

The master's programme emphasizes acquiring methodological techniques for analyzing fiction, prose and grammatical structures, as well as studying Norwegian and Scandinavian languages and literature in interaction with media and cultural expressions within a larger global context. The programme includes studies of the Norwegian language in all varieties:

  • the Old Norse of the Middle Ages
  • modern Norwegian youth language
  • saga stories
  • modern fiction

About the Programme

The master's programme in Scandinavian Language and Literature provides candidates with skills to treat problems independently and critically at a high professional level. It consists of four courses/modules which deal with the history of the fields of study, as well as scholarly theory and methodology. These courses aim to provide a basis for writing a master's thesis. '

In addition, specific seminars which focus on the writing process are offered. Thus students are provided with the opportunity to discuss current problems and work in progress with the academic staff and fellow students.

The master's programme gives students the opportunity to choose an independent syllabus/curriculum in consultation with the the academic staff and their supervisor, either as a supplement or replacement for the required course reading material.

The master's thesis is an independent, scholarly piece of work where students document their ability to professionally analyze relevant topics in a good theoretical and methodical way. Students are expected to meet academic standards.

Most students choose to focus entirely on one of the two disciplines Scandinavian language and Scandinavian literature. It is, however, possible to choose a combination of linguistic and literary courses. At the Department of Scandinavian Studies and Comparative Literature students may also opt for master's degree with specialization in linguistic or literary didactics.

Students are required to master both official Norwegian written languages ('nynorsk' and 'bokmål').

Why choose master in Scandinavian Language and Literature?

  • The programme involves a high degree of specialization, and qualifies candidates for work within those professions in which large and complex issues need to be examined and disseminated. Successful completion of the degree may also lead to work in research, administration, information and media industries, publishing and libraries, education and in work where analytical and linguistic competence is central.
  • It qualifies for a PhD (doctoral) programme.
  • The programme also provides a good, general foundation for work with all types of texts.

Scandinavian Language and Literature at NTNU

The Scandinavian Language and Literature Section at the Department are engaged in teaching and research that include a wide range of topics within the field. In 2005 the Norwegian Research Council conducted an evaluation of the Scandinavian language and literature research communities at the Norwegian universiteties and colleges. The research community at NTNU was given a positive outcome of the evaluation.

The Department has considerable research activity in grammar (syntax and intonation), sociolinguistics, linguistic theory and Norse philology.

Research in Scandinavian literature currently focuses on contemporary literature, literary criticism and didactic problems.

The language of instruction in this programme is Norwegian

You have to meet the Norwegian language requirements, or have a Scandinavian language as your mother tongue, if you want to apply to any of NTNU’s degree programmes taught in Norwegian.

You also must meet the basic requirement for admission, and demonstrate that you meet the English language requirements.

The application deadline for the programme is March 1st for students with an international degree, and April 15th for Norwegian and Nordic degree students. Students apply through NTNU søknadsweb.


The faculty of Humanities offer a wide range of courses taught in English in our various fields of studies, both at bachelor's and master's level.

Email:
studieveiledning-isl@hf.ntnu.no

Visiting address:
Building 5, level 5

Postal address:
Department of Language and Literature
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
NO-7491 Trondheim
Norway