This international Nordic Master’s programme offers an interdisciplinary approach to Viking and Medieval Scandinavia by drawing on expertise in the fields of Norse literature, linguistics, history, textual criticism, palaeography, runology, folklore, religion, art, and archaeology.

Next application deadline: February 1, 2025

International programme.

Is the program for you??

• Have you finished a Bachelor’s degree with a medieval component in literature, history, religion, linguistics, anthropology, archaeology, art history or folklore?

• Are you interested in developing skills in Old Icelandic?

• Do you like the idea of studying alongside people from all over the world?

What is the study about?

The programme is a collaborative project of four different Nordic universities and associated research institutes. These are Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Oslo, and the University of Iceland.

The Viking and Medieval Norse Studies programme welcomes qualified students with different academic backgrounds from all over the world

The program is designed for international students who hold a Bachelor’s degree with a medieval component in at least one of the following areas: literature, history, religion, linguistics, anthropology, archaeology, art history or folklore.

The language of instruction is English. Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. Applicants whose native language is a language other than English are required to provide proof of English.

Prior knowledge of Old Icelandic/Old Norse is not required.

Programme Structure

The programme consists of 120 ECTS credits and takes two years to complete, 30 credits each semester.

• The first and second semesters take place at the University of Iceland.

• The third semester takes place in universities in Arhus University(DK), University of Copenhagen(DK), or University of Oslo(NO).

• The fourth semester is for writing a master´s thesis. Those who took the third semester in the University of Oslo can finish their thesis there, others write their thesis in the University of Iceland.

30 ECTS credits per semester is considered full-time study, but many of our students add one five-credit course on top, completing 35 ECTS credits in a semester.

Arrangement of teaching

The first semester in the Viking and Medieval Norse Studies programme is devoted to laying the foundation for further course work and thesis research through intensive survey courses on the Old Norse-Icelandic literary corpus, the medieval history of Iceland and Scandinavia, and the Old Norse-Icelandic literary language.

Preparatory Reading List

As the Old Norse-Icelandic literary corpus is vast, it is important that incoming students get a head start by reading selected works in translation.

Required Preparatory Readings

Incoming students are expected to have read at least the following works in translation before starting the program.

• Egils saga

• Hrafnkels saga

• Laxdæla saga

• Njáls saga

• Snorri's Edda (the Prose Edda)

• Eddic poetry: at least the poems Vǫluspá, Hávamál, and Þrymskviða

Required Online course

Incoming students are to complete a six weeks free online course before starting the program. A passing grade of 50% is required.

Recommended Additional Readings.

In addition there are several books, textbooks and online courses that provide a solid introduction to a wide range of themes relating to the Old Norse world that are recommended for incoming students.

See the complete Preparatory Reading List

Main objective

The programme aims to provide thorough training in Old Norse language, literature, and history, as well as helping to develop the skills necessary to work with primary sources such as medieval Norse manuscripts, runic inscriptions, and other artifacts.

Other

The University of Iceland Centre for Medieval Studies — Miðaldastofa Háskóla Íslands organizes a lecture series on a wide variety of topics within medieval studies.

Summer courses are available in both Icelandic and Manuscript Studies, see more information here.

We welcome your questions about the Viking and Medieval Norse Studies programme at oldnorse@hi.is.