Scandinavian Studies

I've taken the course in Norwegian - it was good overview of the language, but obviously being taught from a Swedish speakers perspective. Have also taken the corresponding course in Danish. I believe they occasionally run courses called Norwegian/Danish 2 as sequels, as well as courses specifically on Norwegian/Danish literature.

Aha cool. Can imagine it would be interesting.

Anecdotally, I guess we could also point to the success of the Norwegian chat show host (Fredrik) Skavlan and his programme of the same name, who these days presents half the series from Stockholm and the other half from Oslo, interviewing guests from Sweden, Norway and elsewhere in multiple languages in the same programme (well, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish on occasion, and English).

I think it's good though, he always gets amazing guests. I remember watching him in his earlier incarnation (when it was only based in Norway, but shown on Swedish tv when I lived there - think it was called Först och sist) and wondering how on earth NRK managed to convince some of the people he managed to get interviews with to come and do some random (for them) Norwegian talk show in this little, far off land. His interview with Breivik's solicitor a couple of weeks ago was gripping. But yes, I suppose a little surreal with people like Benny Andersson(who was a fellow guest on the same edition) sitting watching. But, I do think he is in the Parkinson league of chat shows. Very skilful at getting people to talk. Much better than crappy programmes like Jonathan Ross any day!

Hi all,
I posted on this forum a while back about my application for Scandinavian studies with Management. It is my dream course as I really want to learn Norwegian and is unique in England being able to combine that with management. As the other courses I would be applying to via UCAS were all management only I didn't know what to do about my PS. I got really helpful replies on the forum suggesting I call and explain my situation which I did. They were friendly and said I could email them something explaining my interest in Scandy when I had applied through UCAS which I duly did.
First I got an email asking if my Scandinavian study attachment was my UCAS PS. I replied no but just explanation of why I was applying to this unique course as we had discussed. Imagine my horror when I get a curt reply accusing me of trying to gain an unfair advantage over other applicants and refusing to consider my attachment.
My questions are does this mean I am unlikely to get an interview as they will only see my management only PS? My reference was written by my high school French teacher and he said he had included lots of language stuff in it. I already have 3 of the 5 Canadian grades they ask for including the English and French requirements but fear this will not help if they dismiss me because of my PS. I would have written a combined one had I not been told that I could send something separately when I called them direct.
Is there anything I could or should be doing about this now? I am feeling pretty upset as this was my number one choice. Any advice or words of comfort gratefully received.
Thanks for reading
Mari-Ann

Gemma Barber sent the Emails. I thought it was her I spoke to unfortunately I can't find the notes I made and my Mum thought I told her it was someone called Amy. I was told that Karin would be happy to look at what I was going to send in.
Do these names mean anything to you or help explain what has happened ?

I am sure that Karin would definitely be. Unfortunately admissions are now handled centrally by the merged element of the equation, the so-called SELCS.

Entire thing sounds dodgy to me. Is this the first intake under the new School?

I couldn't possibly comment. But no, I don't think so. I think this year's intake were also via SELCS.

Commenting is fun. Join me in grumping graduateness.

Also, fair enough.

All in good time, all in good time. Except, I am doing my best to avoid grumpiness. I note you are now a Moderator on this esteemed website. How nice.

What I didn't say, is that I think it is extremely disappointing that they met mariann013 with an accusation that she is trying to gain an unfair advantage. That is ludicrous. I thought the whole idea of the application process was to find the right candidates for the course in question, it's not supposed to be some kind of test.

Hello

I am applying to do German and Scandinavian Studies at UCL this cycle and am really desperate to study Swedish! The course really does look great for me and I would love to go, however I'm a bit worried about the price of London!

I know it's infamously expensive, but have you coped so far? I know your fees are much cheaper, so obviously you can't comment too much, but the cost of living is the only thing deterring me! Is it anything to worry about? Does accommodation really cost that much?

One last question (am rambling a bit now, I realise)! As I am planning to do German and Swedish, I was wondering whether I would do fewer modules in Swedish language or Swedish culture/history than those doing Scandinavian Studies? If I'm lucky enough to get an offer(!), are language classes shared between those doing straight Scandinavian Studies and those who are doing half and half or not? I'd like to meet some more people, really!

Cheers for your time, your replies will help shape my decision ^^

Hej,

The only thing that's really more expensive is accommodation, but you manage. You get loans, grants and a UCL Bursary, and plenty of people work too to bring in a little more money.

Modules wise, there is only one Swedish class each year, it's the same class for people doing straight Scandy, Scandy + Other Stuff, Modern Langs, Lang & Cult, ESPS etc. Actually, it's the same for all courses within the dept. There's only one class for each, it's not separated by degree programme or anything like that.

You would only take 2 units worth each year in the Scandy dept. and 2 in German, as opposed to the 4 that people doing straight scandy take. You can see the programme diet for Modern Langs Swedish + Another Lang here. Though obv some courses change year-to-year, depending on which staff are around/on sabbatical.

Thankyou for your reply - my family are trying to put me off because London is so expensive, but I'd absolutely love to go - they keep telling me I'll have to live off cans of beans for 4 years . It's good to know that it doesn't affect you too much.

Aha, sounds great! Lots of different people and all that. I tried to email Karin Charles to ask about the different courses but I got no reply; it's great that somebody who's been on the course can tell me all these things: I feel a bit embarrassed - don't want to harrass all the staff before they've even looked at my application.

(and Finnish?! You sound brave -is it really as difficult as they say? Can you achieve a reasonable level of fluency in it? I was going to apply for straight Scandinavian Studies so I could give it a shot, but German seemed a little easier! )

Thanks for your quick reply - much appreciated

Hello

I am applying to do German and Scandinavian Studies at UCL this cycle and am really desperate to study Swedish! The course really does look great for me and I would love to go, however I'm a bit worried about the price of London!

You get loans, grants and a UCL Bursary