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 at four different Nordic universities and associated research institutes.

Next application deadline: February 1, 2026

Before applying, please read the entry and application requirements

Is the program for you??

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

• Are you looking for a two-year master’s programme in Iceland and Scandinavia?

• Do you want to learn more about the history of Iceland and Scandinavia in the Viking Age and in the Middle Ages?

• Are you interested in studying the Eddas and the Sagas of Icelanders?

• Do you want to learn to read the Eddas and Sagas of Icelanders in the original language?

• Are you interested in learning to read medieval Icelandic manuscripts?

• Do you want to visit some of the historic sites of the Sagas of Icelanders?

What is the study about?

This two-year master’s programme is designed specifically for international students. The language of instruction is English. The programme aims to provide thorough training in Old Norse-Icelandic language, literature, and history, as well helping students to develop the skills necessary to work with primary sources such as medieval Norse manuscripts, runes, and other artefacts. It will introduce the students to a wide range of theoretical approaches and prepare them for further academic work in the field of Viking and medieval Norse studies.

The Viking and Medieval Norse Studies programme welcomes qualified students with different academic backgrounds from all over the world. Our current and former students form a diverse and international group of talented people from countries including Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with university degrees with a medieval component in, for instance, Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic, anthropology, archaeology, comparative literature, education, English, English literature, French, history, linguistics, medieval studies, modern languages and literature, philosophy, Scandinavian languages, Scandinavian literature, or Scandinavian studies.

Programme structure

The Viking and Medieval Norse Studies programme is run by the University of Iceland in collaboration with Aarhus University (Denmark), University of Copenhagen (Denmark), University of Oslo (Norway), and the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies.

The programme is 120 ECTS credit hours and consists of four semesters. The first two semesters (autumn and spring semesters) are devoted to coursework at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík, Iceland. In the third semester, the students can choose between courses at Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen or the University of Oslo. The fourth and final semester is reserved for writing a master’s thesis at the University of Iceland or the University of Oslo (for those who completed the third semester at the University of Oslo).

The programme consists of:

• Mandatory courses: 40 ECTS

• Elective courses: 50 ECTS

• Master’s thesis: 30 ECTS

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

Course topics include

• Old Icelandic language at introductory and intermediate levels

• Old Norse-Icelandic literature, the Eddas and Sagas of Icelanders

• The medieval history of Iceland and Scandinavia

• Medieval Icelandic manuscripts

• Viking Age archaeology

• Old Nordic religion and belief

Form of instruction

The language of instruction is English. Prior knowledge of (Old) Icelandic (Old Norse) is not required. The programme consists of four semesters of full-time on-site study in Iceland and either Denmark or Norway. Instruction is carried out through a mixture of lectures, discussions, group learning, and workshops. Excursions in Iceland to some of the sites of the Sagas of Icelanders also form an important part of the programme. Assessment is in the form of term papers and other written assignments, in-class presentations, active class participation, written exams, and oral exams.