BA Viking and Old Norse Studies
About this course
BA in Viking and Old Norse Studies, a German degree focused on the history, culture, and languages of medieval Scandinavia. Core topics include Research Methods. The course includes a compulsory year abroad spent studying at a Scandinavian university. The first year covers foundations through Introduction to Old Norse, Vikings and Material Culture, Introduction to Nordic Studies 1, and Introduction to Nordic Studies 2. The second year progresses with Intermediate Old Norse and Viking-Age Scandinavia, alongside optional modules such as Nordic Literature in Context, Nordic Politics and Society, and an Extended Essay in Scandinavian Studies. The third year consists of SELCS Year Abroad Term 1 and SELCS Year Abroad Term 2. The final year concludes with Advanced Old Norse and The Vikings in Europe, with further options including Translation from the Scandinavian Languages and a Dissertation in Scandinavian Studies.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (English Literature, History and/or a foreign language preferred.) IB: 34 points (A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. English Literature, History and/or language preferred.)
See the highest paying Languages & English degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 60%: 12 offers from 20 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 5 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 20%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 7 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 35%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 215 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 67%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 75%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Access course: 5%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Old Norse
- Vikings and Material Culture
- Introduction to Nordic Studies 1
- Introduction to Nordic Studies 2
- World Archaeology (i): Evolutionary origins to the earliest
- Introduction to Social Anthropology
- Introduction to European Prehistory
- London before the Great Fire
- Understanding History: Facts, Interpretations, Stories
- Introduction to the Study of Language and Linguistics
- Theories and Methods in Film and Media Studies
- Mediatising Dissent
- First-Year History of Art Survey (1): Premodernity to c. 1600
- Between Politics and Culture: German Ideas 1890 - 1970
- Intermediate Old Norse
- Viking-Age Scandinavia
- Intermediate Danish Language and Culture
- Intermediate Swedish Language and Culture
- Intermediate Norwegian Language and Culture
- Intermediate Icelandic Language and Culture
- Nordic Literature in Context
- Nordic Politics and Society
- Nordic Cinema
- Nordic Landscapes
- An Extended Essay in Scandinavian Studies
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 1
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 2
- Advanced Old Norse
- The Vikings in Europe
- Northern Sites and Cities: Perspectives of Urban and Cultural Geographies of the Nordic Region
- Advanced Danish Language and Culture
- Advanced Swedish Language and Culture
- Advanced Norwegian Language and Culture
- Advanced Icelandic Language and Culture
- Advanced Project Work in Danish, Norwegian or Swedish
- Translation from the Scandinavian Languages
- Dissertation in Scandinavian Studies
- Crime and Small Communities in Nordic Literature
- Nordic Cinema
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Viking and Old Norse Studies at University College London earn?
The median salary is £31,000 after 15 months, £31,000 after 3 years, £42,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,500 and £57,000. The £42,500 median after five years is £10,000 more than the UK median for German and Scandinavian studies.
What do graduates of BA Viking and Old Norse Studies at University College London do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Viking and Old Norse Studies at University College London?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Viking and Old Norse Studies at University College London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 170 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Viking and Old Norse Studies at University College London?
60% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 12 offers from 20 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Viking and Old Norse Studies at University College London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Viking and Old Norse Studies at University College London?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.