Program Overview

Scandinavian Studies MA

The Scandinavian Studies MA program is an academic field of study that incorporates both the languages and literatures as well as cultural studies of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The program provides interdisciplinary courses ranging from topics in the cultural history of Scandinavia to recent linguistic and literary theories, from Old Norse literature to Interscandinavian communication. The program aims to prepare students for careers in which an advanced knowledge of culture and languages of Scandinavia are necessary.

Program Details

• Degree: Philologist in Scandinavian Languages and Literature
• Type: Degree program
• Level: Master
• Accreditation number: FNYF/99-4/2016
• Faculty: Faculty of Humanities
• Institute: Institute of Germanic Studies
• Department: Department of Scandinavian Languages and Literatures
• Language: Danish, Norwegian, Swedish
• Duration: 4 semesters (2 years)
• ECTS credits: 120
• Minimum number of students: 1
• Maximum number of students: 15

Strength of Program

The Master program aims to provide theoretical and practical knowledge as a philological discipline (linguistic, literary, and cultural studies) of Scandinavia to graduates who will thus be familiar with the fields and methods of academic research and be able to meet the requirements of the PhD program. Note that the program does not offer teaching qualifications.

Career Opportunities

In all fields requiring a university degree without specifications of majors, in PhD programs requiring a major-specific degree. Job examples include:

• Education and research
• Management
• Business
• Banking
• Journalism
• Communications

Tuition Fees

• EU/EEA students: 2,500 EUR per semester
• Non-EU/EEA students: 2,500 EUR per semester
• Application fee:
  • Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2025 - 30/11/2025 and between 01/02/2026 - 31/03/2026
  • Regular application fee: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2026 - 31/05/2026
• Other costs: 100 EUR (Entrance exam fee)

Admission Requirements

• Entry requirements: Applicants must hold a university bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent college degree) in the fields listed below. Full credit acknowledgement is only given for a Bachelor’s degree in German Studies, Specialized in Scandinavian Studies. In case of any other degree, each diploma will be considered individually. The applicant must have at least 50 credits in the field of Scandinavian studies (Linguistics, Literature, and Culture) to enter the program.
• Language requirements: Language certificate (advanced level) in Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish languages: C1 level (CEFR). English is the language of administration for all international courses at ELTE Faculty of Humanities. All communication in administrative matters will be conducted in English. It is therefore recommended that all applicants speak a minimum of A2 level of English, even if it is not the language of tuition of their chosen program.

Documents to Submit with Application

• Online application form
• Secondary school certificate (graduation certificate)
• Bachelor-level degree
• Transcript of records
• CV
• Motivation letter
• Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid)
• Copy of application fee payment receipt
• Copy of the Entrance exam fee payment receipt
• Language certificate
• Other: An official English translation of the certificates and the records if the language of the original is not English

Optional Documents for Admissions

• Research Proposal
• Letter of Reference
• Letter of Authorization

Application Procedure

• Application deadlines:
  • Period 1 (with Early Bird discount): 01/10-30/11/:59 (CET)
  • Period 2 (with Early Bird discount): 01/02-31/03/:59 (CET)
  • Period 3: 01/04-31/05/:59 (CET)
• Procedure of the application: The application starts in the online application system. Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents, and follow the instructions during the application process.
• Entrance examination and selection process: When the university receives the full application package and it is checked by the Department of International Affairs, an entrance exam date option will be sent no later than the application deadline for the relevant period. The applications are examined by the Admission Board no later than after each application period, and applicants are notified of the outcome of the selection in the online application system after the decision is official.

Program Leader

• Dr. Ildikó VASKÓ, Head of the Department of Scandinavian Studies

Additional Information

Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) offers more than 100 degree programs to international students in the fields of Business, Education and Psychology, Humanities, Informatics, Law, Primary and Pre-School Education, Social Sciences, and Science. Currently, about 3000 international students study at ELTE, and the community of international students is growing from year to year.