Viking and Medieval Norse Studies

A unique opportunity to study the world of the Vikings and the Icelandic sagas. The programme should appeal to students with a broad range of interests in the fields of Viking and Medieval Scandinavia. Students will be given the opportunity to study in two of the Nordic countries. Who is this programme for? The programme is designed for students holding 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. Prior knowledge of Old Icelandic/Old Norse is not required. Study in two of the Nordic countries Students will be given the opportunity to study in two of the Nordic countries. The first two semesters will be spent at the University of Iceland. The third semester will be spent at either the University of Aarhus, the University of Copenhagen or the University of Oslo. The fourth semester will be spent writing the master's thesis at the University of Iceland or the University of Oslo. The language of instruction is English. An interdisciplinary approach to Viking and Medieval Scandinavia The programme offers an interdisciplinary approach to Viking and Medieval Scandinavia by drawing on expertise in the fields of Norse literature (including the eddas and sagas), linguistics, history, textual criticism, palaeography, runology, folklore, religion, art and archaeology at four different Nordic universities and associated research institutes. Two of these, the Ãrni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies in Iceland and the Arnamagnæan Institute at the University of Copenhagen, share custody of the largest single collection of Icelandic medieval manuscripts in the world. UiO and Oslo The research environment at UiO is very active, and UiO hosts a number of conferences and workshops on medieval subjects. Oslo and Norway offer especially strong opportunities to interact with the material culture of the Viking and Middle Ages: in Oslo you can visit The Viking Ship Museum Museum of Cultural History National Library of Norway The National Archives of Norway ruins from medieval Oslo Elsewhere in Norway you can find the famed Nidaros Cathedral, stave churches, rune stones, gravemounds, and much more. Study environment We want to offer a good study environment, and in collaboration with learning assistants we offer several colloquia in addition to our ordinary teaching, as well as social events to support an active and close study environment. As a student at Viking and Medieval studies, you can participate in the Student Committee and represent students in the program council and in the department board at ILN. Join us and contribute to a good study environment! For more information about everything UiO and Blindern has to offer, see Life around the studies. Follow Norwegian and Celtic studies on Facebook. Follow the Department of Linguistic and Nordic Studies on Facebook.

Living costsNOK 20,200 a month in Oslo, rent included

kr 242,400

Living costs from SiT estimate from livingcost.org city data (Nov 2026), converted from USD at the ECB reference rate of 30 Oct 2026 (1 EUR = 10.312 NOK, 1.1172 USD)

Typical requirements in Norway for this degree level. Your advisor gives you the final list.

• A completed qualification that gives access to Master's Degree study.
• Academic transcripts and any programme-specific assessment the institution asks for.
• Your advisor checks the final requirements for your education system and intake.

Taught in English.

Prepare for and book LanguageCert Academic with SIT Connect

A typical checklist for this degree level. Your advisor gives you the final list.

The central catalogue records this programme as accredited.