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Scandinavian Area Studies

College of Arts & Sciences

A Bachelor of Arts in Scandinavian Area Studies fosters advanced knowledge of the culture, politics and history of Scandinavia. It also helps students develop strong analytical and communication skills. Scandinavian Area Studies can serve as a platform from which to explore politics, history, the environment, social democracy and women’s and gender studies. Students gain intermediate linguistic proficiency in a Finnish, Baltic or Scandinavian language, as well as strong knowledge of an important economic and political region of northern Europe. Scandinavia is the birthplace of world famous modern artists, social democracy and innovative economic and cultural practices and institutions, and is a global leader in peacemaking, environmentalism and gender equality. Graduates of this degree pursue careers in a variety of fields such as business, government, technology, international relations, education and marketing.

Major category: Open

Curricular options: Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Scandinavian Area Studies, Swedish

Topic(s): Arts, Humanities and Design

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Degree requirements

Applicant type

Applicant type

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).

Scandinavian Area Studies is an open major. You may declare this major at any time after enrolling at the UW as long as you are in good academic standing. Visit the department website for more information.

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

Departmental application deadline: Students in good academic standing may declare the major at any time, including on their application for admission to the UW.
Please contact the department for details about the application process.
Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for the major before transfer.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses recommended for the major:

  • First- and second-year Danish, Estonian, Finnish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian or Swedish. 1

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 13
Total from Washington community colleges: 3

Career outcomes


See list of all majors