Scandinavian

Undergraduate Program

Introduction to the Major

Students in the Scandinavian major select one of the following five concentrations: Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Old Norse Studies, and Swedish. Each concentration allows students to explore the major while developing expertise within the language and literature of a Nordic language. Students receive further training in their major language skills by pursuing reading in original Scandinavian languages and through special add-on major units that allow students to work closely with a professor in their major language area.

Interdisciplinary Options 

The Scandinavian department helps students pursue interdisciplinary interests through its own core courses and through double majors with other fields, such as environmental studies, history, drama, medieval literature, folklore, architecture, public policy, linguistics, international studies, peace studies, political science, film, and economics.

If you already have an intended major, consider adding Scandinavian as minor. It is not necessary to study a Scandinavian language for the minor; all upper division courses are taught in English with texts in translation and are easily accessible to students with general interests in Scandinavian culture.

Amplify Your Major

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
Søren Kierkegaard

Four-Year Student Timeline

First Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Second Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

  • Sign up for the Scandinavian email list and start attending department events. 

  • Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.

  • Explore resources from the Nordic Studies Program.

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Third Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Fourth Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

What Can I Do With My Major?

Jobs and Employers

  • Assoc. Corporate Counsel, Google
  • Data Control Operations, Stanford
  • Independent Norwegian Language Translator
  • Photographer, Iceland Magazine
  • Teacher, Hayward High School

Graduate Programs

  • Bioarchaeology, MSc
  • Cognition and Communication, MA
  • English, PhD
  • Law, JD 
  • Linguistics, PhD 
  • Medieval Icelandic Studies, Masters
  • Scandinavian Studies, Masters
  • Urban and Regional Planning, Masters

Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.

Learn More

Connect With Us

Cal Day

Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.

Golden Bear Orientation

Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.

Events

Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit scandinavian.berkeley.edu for news and updates.

Advising

Students can drop in to 6303A Dwinelle Hall to speak with an advisor or email issaug@berkeley.edu

Advising Drop-In Hours

Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:00pm

How to Use this Map

Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.