Viking and Medieval Nordic Studies, MLitt

Program Overview

---

Viking and Medieval Nordic Studies, MLitt

Introduction

Examine the history, culture and society of Viking and Medieval Scandinavia at one of Scotland’s ancient Universities. Explore medieval Nordic texts and artefacts and Old Norse-Icelandic language with internationally renowned academics in their areas of expertise and research.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MLitt
• Duration: 12 months or 24 months
• Study Mode: Full Time or Part Time
• Start Month: September

Our postgraduate degree offers a broad and interdisciplinary overview of early Scandinavian Studies while allowing you to specialise in themes and topics of interest. Acquire an understanding of the Old Norse-Icelandic language, literature, myths, history, and society of early Scandinavia, using primary sources in the original language and English translation.

Aberdeen is one of the few places in the UK to have a specialist Centre for early Scandinavian Studies, giving you the unique opportunity to interact with our dynamic postgraduate community and experts in the field while receiving specialist training and research skills development. There are opportunities to contribute to various projects within the Centre for Scandinavian Studies, including our online journal, Apardjón, named after the Old Norse word for Aberdeen.

You are taught in small-group classes, giving you the space to participate in group discussions and receive guidance from our experts in the field. Our students study in beautiful Old Aberdeen, benefitting from a vibrant campus experience and charming green spaces, with easy access to our compact and student-friendly city centre.

We deliver a stimulating programme of events, including research seminars with talks from external speakers, postgraduate workshops, field trips to Scandinavian sites and archives, and student symposia.

Our master’s degree provides scope to advance into different career paths. Acquire transferable skills in critical thinking, teamwork, oral and written communication, problem-solving, and project management to boost your employability. Many of our MLitt graduates have progressed on to study for a PhD. Others have gone into careers in education, the creative industry, museums and heritage sector, education, media, and communication.

The following projects are associated with the Centre for Scandinavian Studies:

• Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

What You'll Study

You can choose to study for:

• Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) based on undertaking 60 credit points; 40 credits must be at level 5.
• Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) based on 120 credit points; 90 credits must be at level 5.
• Master of Letters (MLitt) based on 180 credit points; 150 credits must be at level 5.

Degree Content

• Compulsory Courses
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
  • Old Norse 1: Language, Literature and Culture (HI502J)
• Optional Courses
  • CE451D Decolonial England: Languages and Identities from 450 to the Present (30 credit points)
  • Northern Worlds (AY5001)
  • Viking Archaeology (AY5005)
  • Introduction to Old English Language (CE4047)
  • Myths, Legends and Poetry of the Mediaeval Gaels (GH4028)
  • Independent Reading In Historical Studies (HI502G)
  • Special Subject (HI502K)
  • Directed Reading in History (HI503A)
  • Latin 1 (LT1009)
  • Independent Reading In Historical Studies (HI552G)
  • History and the Media (HI553C)
  • Approaching Archives (HI552L)
  • Directed Reading in History (HI553A)
  • Research Preparation in Historical Studies (HI5594)
  • Latin 2 (LT1507)

Funding Opportunities

You can also find funding opportunities advertised on the University’s funding database.

Scholarships

All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.

To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.

Related Programmes

You may also be interested in the following related postgraduate degree programmes.

• Medieval and Early Modern Studies
• Modern History
• Scottish Heritage

How You'll Study

Our MLitt students join a lively, collegial, rigorous research community at the Centre for Scandinavian Studies. You are encouraged to participate in the Centre’s stimulating programme of weekly research seminars, including papers from external speakers and postgraduate workshops.

There are also opportunities to take field trips to Scandinavian sites and archives and attend student symposia to exchange ideas and develop your conference presentation skills. We host regular informal social events to foster discussion and collaboration.

The taught component of the programme takes place in the autumn and spring, and you will write your dissertation, with one-on-one guidance from your supervisor, during the summer. We teach in small-group classes where discussion and active participation are encouraged. You will have regular contact with experts in the field. In addition, students usually have access to a shared study space at the Centre and a subject library.

Part-time students

This route runs over two years. You will take a maximum of 180 credit points over two years.

Learning Methods

• Field Trips
• Group Projects
• Individual Projects
• Peer Learning
• Research
• Seminars
• Workshops

Assessment Methods

The programme is assessed by a variety of means but focuses on research-led essays in the relevant subject areas, with some courses including presentations; language courses are assessed by a mixture of in-class assessments and exams.

Why Study Viking and Medieval Nordic Studies?

• Aberdeen is one of the few places in the UK to have a specialist Centre for early Scandinavian Studies.
• Receive specialist knowledge and guidance from experts across specialisms within Viking and medieval Nordic Studies.
• Learn Old Norse language and literature using primary sources in the original language and English translation.
• Contribute to projects within the Centre for Scandinavian Studies, including our online postgraduate journal, Apardjón, named after the Old Norse word for Aberdeen.
• Tailor the degree to your study or career interests while broadening your understanding of Viking and medieval Scandinavia.
• Benefit from proximity to important Viking Age sites in Orkney and Shetland, only a ferry ride away!
• Acquire transferable skills in critical thinking, teamwork, oral and written communication, problem-solving, and project management to boost your career prospects.

Entry Requirements

For more information about the application process, including details about which supporting documents you will be asked to provide, please click here.

Qualifications

Candidates must normally have an Honours degree to at least 2:2 standard in an appropriate discipline or equivalent qualifications and experience.

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Careers

This degree broadens your historical awareness and knowledge giving you the skills to acquire further training and progress into work across different industries and contexts. These areas include and are not limited to:

• Translation
• Teaching
• Archiving
• Curation
• Publishing
• Journalism

Interdisciplinary study of early Scandinavia

Aberdeen is one of very few places in the UK to have a dedicated Centre focusing on Viking Age and medieval Scandinavian studies in interdisciplinary perspectives

What our Alumni Say

• Tiffany White: "I enjoyed the close-knit community at the Centre, as well as the many Scandinavian events put on by the university's Nordic Society. The MLitt adequately prepared me for a future academic career and entrance to the PhD program at UC Berkeley."
• Sam Thompson: "The centre for Scandinavian Studies has an incredibly welcoming atmosphere and I feel like I made some lifelong friendships during my time there. I have been well prepared for an academic future and I hope to start working on a PhD soon."

Our Experts

Our academic staff have diverse specialisms across disciplines in literature, philosophy, art history, history, music, and law, offering you the flexibility to study topics that interest your vocation.

• Programme Coordinator: Dr Hannah Burrows
• Other Experts:
  • Professor Ralph O'Connor
  • Dr Charlotta Hillerdal
  • Mrs Anna Bokedal
  • Professor Robert McColl Millar

Features

Students on the MLitt in Viking and Medieval Nordic Studies will study on the university’s beautiful Old Aberdeen campus. The Centre has a growing specialist library in early Scandinavian Studies in addition to the holdings in the main University library, and MLitt students have access to shared study space.

• The Centre for Scandinavian Studies
• The Centre for Early Modern Studies (CEMS)

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview:

---

Overview:

The Master of Letters (MLitt) in Viking and Medieval Nordic Studies at the University of Aberdeen offers a broad and interdisciplinary overview of Scandinavian Studies while allowing students to specialize in themes and topics of interest. The program examines the history, culture, society, literature, and language of early Scandinavia, using primary sources and English translations.

---

Objectives:

• Understand the Old Norse-Icelandic language, literature, myths, history, and society of early Scandinavia.
• Develop critical thinking, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Gain research skills through the dissertation project.
• Prepare for various career paths in education, creative industries, museums, heritage sector, media, and communication.

---

Program Description:

• The program is offered by the University of Aberdeen, a prestigious institution with a dedicated Centre for early Scandinavian Studies.
• Students benefit from small-group classes, expert guidance, a vibrant campus experience, and access to green spaces and a charming city center.
• The program hosts research seminars, workshops, field trips, and student symposia to enhance learning and networking opportunities.

---

Outline:

---

Program Content:

• The MLitt program consists of compulsory and optional modules, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests.
• Compulsory modules include:
• Old Norse 1: Language, Literature and Culture
• Dissertation in Historical Studies
• Optional modules cover a wide range of topics, including:
• Independent Study in Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies B
• Palaeography i
• Latin 1
• Swedish 1
• Special Subject
• Engaging with Historiography
• Directed Reading in History
• Independent Reading in Historical Studies
• Approaching Archives
• History and the Media
• Northern Peoples and Culture
• The World of Vikings
• Research Preparation in Historical Studies
• Northern Worlds
• Viking Archaeology
• Brittonic Language Ib
• Special Subject
• Presenting Historical Research
• Directed Reading in History

---

Course Schedule:

• The taught component of the program takes place in the autumn and spring semesters.
• Students can choose modules based on their interests and career goals.

---

Assessment:

---

Assessment Methods:

• The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including essays, presentations, examinations, and project work.
• Accuracy and knowledge
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Writing and communication skills
• Originality and creativity
• Research skills
• Presentation skills

---

Teaching:

---

Teaching Methods:

• The program utilizes various teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, field trips, and individual supervision.
• The emphasis is on active learning, discussion, and engagement with primary sources.

---

Faculty:

• The program is taught by internationally renowned experts in Viking and Medieval Scandinavian Studies.
• The faculty has diverse specialisms in literature, history, language, and archaeology.

---

Teaching Features:

• Small-group classes offer personalized attention and interaction with faculty.
• Opportunities for one-on-one supervision foster individual learning and development.
• The program provides a stimulating and supportive learning environment.

---

Careers:

---

Career Paths:

• The program prepares students for various career paths, including:
• Academic research
• Teaching
• Museum and heritage work
• Journalism
• Publishing
• Creative industries
• Archives and record management
• The program also develops transferable skills relevant to various professions.

---

Career Opportunities:

• The program provides students with the opportunity to attend career events and workshops.
• The program is offered on a full-time or part-time basis.
• Part-time students take a maximum of 180 credit points over two years.
• The program has a strong international focus and welcomes students from around the world.
• The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of Viking and Medieval Scandinavian history, culture, and society, while equipping them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen careers.

---

EU / International students: £22,000 UK: £10,000