What is special about this course?
The Vikings have been incredibly influential in world history and culture. The Centre for Nordic Studies' team will be using their recognised expertise in this area to create this unique and exciting course on offer to students all over the world and to re-evaluate the Vikings past, present, and future.
Students will be able to critically evaluate key historical, economic, and social developments in the Viking world and analyse the significance and legacy of the cultural history of the Vikings both in isolation and in a wider context temporally and geographically. We'll look at Viking iconography in text and film, the role of women, and the significance of runes among other fascinating topics.
As part of the degree, students will study a set of core modules and also have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules, bringing the study of the Viking period into a wider perspective.
Special features
- Unique course content not available anywhere else
- You are taught by international experts in the field
- We use video conferencing and a virtual learning environment to deliver the course so you can study from anywhere in the world
- Small class sizes
- You can also choose unique options in palaeography, creative writing and North Atlantic Rim studies
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development, or work towards the PgCert, PgDip, or full Masters degree
Entry requirements
- 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, such as History, Archaeology, Literature, or Ethnology
- International students whose first language is not English must meet language competency standards as noted on the International page of our website.
Access routes
Students can access the programme from a range of undergraduate programmes including:
- BA (Hons) Scottish Cultural Studies
- BA (Hons) Scottish History
- BA (Hons) Scottish History and Archaeology
- BA (Hons) Archaeology
- BA (Hons) Social Sciences
- And externally from humanities degrees generally
PgCert
Core modules are:
- Vikings in the Scottish Islands and the Irish Sea region
- Gender in Viking Society
- Runology and Old Norse
PgDip
Core module is:
- Visualising the Vikings: the Vikings in Popular Culture
Option modules include:
- The Language and Paleography of Older Scots
- The NAR Literary Context
- Historical and Cultural Perspectives of the NAR
- Early Scottish and Norse Literature
- The Orkney and Shetland Tongues
- Orkney and Shetland Literature
- Introduction to Screenwriting
- Exploring Creative Writing
MLitt
To achieve the award of MLitt Viking Studies you must complete a research dissertation.
How will I study my course?
- This course has been approved for in-country international delivery. It may also be studied by international students based within the UK.
- You will study this course through a combination of video conferenced seminars and learning through the UHI virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors and student advisor.
- Students, including international students, can study in Orkney and Lews Castle College UHI in Stornoway, or from their own locations.
- You must attend a two-day induction in Orkney, or by video conference or online if you are based elsewhere, at the start of your course.
How long will my course last?
- Full time: 1 year @ 20 hours per week
- Part time structured: 2 years @ 10 hours per week
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
Start date
- September
- January
How much will my course cost?
The following fees apply to this taught postgraduate course:
| 2015-16 | 2015-16 | 2015-16 | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Scottish and EU
on-site* and online |
Rest of UK
on-site and online** |
International
|
|
| Per module (20 credits) | £520 | £650 | £780 online £1,100 on-site |
| Postgraduate certificate (PgCert) | £1,560 | £1,950 | £2,340 online £3,300 on-site |
| Postgraduate diploma (PgDip) | £3,120 | £3,900 | £4,680 online £6,600 on-site |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £4,680 | £5,850 | £7,020 online £9,900 on-site |
NB: *Scottish on-site fee includes EU; **RUK online fee includes EU
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
Enquiries from employers for multiple student registrations are welcome and special fee arrangements may apply.
What funding can I apply for?
External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact Orkney College UHI for more information.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your Masters course in Viking Studies, there are a variety of careers you might like to consider. Here is just a taster of the kind of opportunities available to you:
- Tourism and Heritage sector
- Secondary school teaching on completion of PGDE(P)
- Community education
- Adult education
- Journalism particularly newspaper and radio
- Working for local government agencies
- Teaching on this or similar degrees
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress to PhD study at the University of the Highlands and Islands, and other institutions.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.