Language skills
Programme length
Full time study for one academic year
Study mode
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Application status
International students:
Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:
- Are you interested in the Swedish language?
- Do you enjoy Swedish culture?
- Do you want to work in the arts and cultural sector?
- Do you want to improve your skills in a Nordic language?
- Do you have some basic ability in written and spoken Swedish and want to improve?
The undergraduate diploma in Swedish is a one-year practical programme designed to help students rapidly achieve good proficiency in Swedish, develop reading comprehension, build vocabulary and practise speaking the language.
The main objective of the programme is to provide students with strong skills in written and spoken Swedish, academic knowledge of the language and daily life in Sweden, as well as knowledge of Swedish literature and culture.
Students also learn academic working practices and acquire a foundation for further study. The programme is taught online through distance learning. Online learning enables you to watch lectures outside normal working hours.
Course topics include
- Swedish grammar
- Swedish language use
- Phonetics and Swedish pronunciation
- Vocabulary and morphology
- Translation
Other
- Those interested in finishing a BA degree can take Swedish as a 60 ECTS minor along with 120 ECTS major in another field, a total of 180 ECTS.
Icelandic matriculation examination or equivalent qualification.
This programme is not suitable for beginners in Swedish. Admission requirements is a final exam from secondary school or equivalent knowledge of Swedish, Danish or Norwegian, at the B2 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
These courses are mandatory: SÆN101G Swedish Language I, SÆN102G Swedish Literature since 1980, SÆN105G Ingmar Bergman - Rebelling against the Father Image, SÆN106G Swedish Grammar I, SÆN111G Vocabulary and Word Formation, SÆN112G Practical Swedish, , SÆN109G Sweden in Music - from Gubben Noak to ABBA, SÆN201G Swedish Language II, SÆN203G Sociolinguistics and Swedish Dialects, SÆN205G Translation (Swedish), SÆN206G Swedish Grammar II and SÆN211G History of the Swedish Language in 13 Texts.
Students are expected to finish their 60 ECTS in one year. For those who are not a full-time student there is a possibility to graduate after two years. Otherwise an exception must be agreed with the Swedish lecturer.
Programme structure
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
- Year unspecified
- Fall
- Swedish Language I
- Swedish Literature since 1980
- Ingmar Bergman - Rebelling against the Father Image
- Swedish Grammar I
- Vocabulary and Word Formation
- Practical Swedish
- Spring 1
- Sweden in Music - from Gubben Noak to ABBA
- Swedish Language II
- Sociolinguistics and Swedish Dialects
- Translation (Swedish)
- Swedish Grammar II
- History of the Swedish Language in 13 Texts
Year unspecified | Fall
Swedish Language I (SÆN101G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Emphasis will be placed on spoken language, vocabulary, plus competence in speaking fluent Swedish. The objective is to have students acquire a good command of Swedish for communication. Reading, spoken language, oral exercises in modern Swedish. Evaluation: Oral exercises and oral examination. The students should have at least basic knowledge of Swedish to enroll.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Fall
Swedish Literature since 1980 (SÆN102G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
A survey of the latest tendencies in Swedish Literature. Novels, Short stories, Drama and Poetry is read and analysed.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Fall
Ingmar Bergman - Rebelling against the Father Image (SÆN105G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course will discuss Ingmar Bergman's films, primarily the earliest films from the period 1950-60, where rebelling against patriarchy forms a sort of psychological core. Emphasis will be placed on the development of the theme of the religious man's need for some sort of sign from God in Sjunde inseglet (1956) in order to agree to believe in this cruel God in Jungfrukällan (1960) and onwards to a confrontation with the negative image of God in Såsom i spegel (1961), Nattvardsgästerna (1962) and Tystnaden (1963). Students will watch five films that will be discussed in class.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Fall
Swedish Grammar I (SÆN106G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course covers the basics of Swedish grammar.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Fall
Vocabulary and Word Formation (SÆN111G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The objective of the course is to increase students’ vocabulary. The course is divided between semantic and morphological studies. Phenomena such as meaning, homonyms, synonyms and abbreviations will be discussed. The latter part of the course will focus on morphology, neologisms and loan words.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Fall
Practical Swedish (SÆN112G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course is aimed at students who want a basic knowledge of the Swedish language that can be used in a practical way, either in studies or for work in Sweden. The program includes weekly exercises in Canvas in written form, but also exercises that are done in class or at home, where students get to practice pronunciation and expression in Swedish. Students learn the main words and phrases used in everyday speech, and also get to practice practical grammar, where the focus is on usage and not theory.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Prerequisites
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Sweden in Music - from Gubben Noak to ABBA (SÆN109G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This is an introductory module to known Swedish music and musicians, Swedish musical history with a special emphasis on ABBA and their influence, and music in social context. Students are encouraged to listen to Swedish music and to analyse it.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Swedish Language II (SÆN201G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Emphasis will be placed on spoken and written language. The objective is to have students acquire a good command of Swedish for communication. Spoken and written language, oral and written exercises in modern Swedish.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Sociolinguistics and Swedish Dialects (SÆN203G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Main topics in sociolinguistics introduced.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Translation (Swedish) (SÆN205G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course deals mainly with translation from Swedish to the mother tongue of the student.
The students work with different types of texts and documents such as newspapers, brochures and web pages. Special focus is on literary texts.During the course the students themselves translate short texts followed up by discussion seminars. It includes an introduction with basic knowledge in the art of translation and short research essays in the field of translation will also be presented.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Swedish Grammar II (SÆN206G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course is a continuation of Swedish Grammar I, where Swedish morphology was discussed. Select points in morphological studies will be dealt with, especially concerning nominals and verbs. Within syntax, sentences and phrases will be discussed and analysis of sentence elements explained. Word order and how new information is presented will also be covered.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
History of the Swedish Language in 13 Texts (SÆN211G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course is an introduction to the history of the Swedish language from 800 to 1900. Students get a text each week from a specific, important piece of Swedish language history and learn to understand it, and analyse language changes in the text.
The course starts with the runestone Rökstenen from around the year 800, and from there on students will get nearer to modern times with each new text. Students will look at grammar, spellng, word formation and content. The course ends on a text which marks the beginning of a new era, with modern Swedish (nusvenska).
In the final exam students get a new text to analyse. Students try to understand the content and words in the text, mention important grammatical content and what is interesting with the spelling, with the goal of trying to put the text in the correct order in the language history.
Language of instruction: Swedish
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Online learning
Year unspecified
- Fall
- SÆN101GSwedish Language IMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
Emphasis will be placed on spoken language, vocabulary, plus competence in speaking fluent Swedish. The objective is to have students acquire a good command of Swedish for communication. Reading, spoken language, oral exercises in modern Swedish. Evaluation: Oral exercises and oral examination. The students should have at least basic knowledge of Swedish to enroll.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisitesSÆN102GSwedish Literature since 1980Mandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionA survey of the latest tendencies in Swedish Literature. Novels, Short stories, Drama and Poetry is read and analysed.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisitesSÆN105GIngmar Bergman - Rebelling against the Father ImageMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course will discuss Ingmar Bergman's films, primarily the earliest films from the period 1950-60, where rebelling against patriarchy forms a sort of psychological core. Emphasis will be placed on the development of the theme of the religious man's need for some sort of sign from God in Sjunde inseglet (1956) in order to agree to believe in this cruel God in Jungfrukällan (1960) and onwards to a confrontation with the negative image of God in Såsom i spegel (1961), Nattvardsgästerna (1962) and Tystnaden (1963). Students will watch five films that will be discussed in class.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisitesSÆN106GSwedish Grammar IMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course covers the basics of Swedish grammar.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisitesSÆN111GVocabulary and Word FormationMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe objective of the course is to increase students’ vocabulary. The course is divided between semantic and morphological studies. Phenomena such as meaning, homonyms, synonyms and abbreviations will be discussed. The latter part of the course will focus on morphology, neologisms and loan words.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisitesSÆN112GPractical SwedishMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course is aimed at students who want a basic knowledge of the Swedish language that can be used in a practical way, either in studies or for work in Sweden. The program includes weekly exercises in Canvas in written form, but also exercises that are done in class or at home, where students get to practice pronunciation and expression in Swedish. Students learn the main words and phrases used in everyday speech, and also get to practice practical grammar, where the focus is on usage and not theory.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisites- Spring 2
SÆN109GSweden in Music - from Gubben Noak to ABBAMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis is an introductory module to known Swedish music and musicians, Swedish musical history with a special emphasis on ABBA and their influence, and music in social context. Students are encouraged to listen to Swedish music and to analyse it.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisitesSÆN201GSwedish Language IIMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionEmphasis will be placed on spoken and written language. The objective is to have students acquire a good command of Swedish for communication. Spoken and written language, oral and written exercises in modern Swedish.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisitesSÆN203GSociolinguistics and Swedish DialectsMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionMain topics in sociolinguistics introduced.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisitesSÆN205GTranslation (Swedish)Mandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course deals mainly with translation from Swedish to the mother tongue of the student.
The students work with different types of texts and documents such as newspapers, brochures and web pages. Special focus is on literary texts.During the course the students themselves translate short texts followed up by discussion seminars. It includes an introduction with basic knowledge in the art of translation and short research essays in the field of translation will also be presented.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisitesSÆN206GSwedish Grammar IIMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course is a continuation of Swedish Grammar I, where Swedish morphology was discussed. Select points in morphological studies will be dealt with, especially concerning nominals and verbs. Within syntax, sentences and phrases will be discussed and analysis of sentence elements explained. Word order and how new information is presented will also be covered.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisitesSÆN211GHistory of the Swedish Language in 13 TextsMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course is an introduction to the history of the Swedish language from 800 to 1900. Students get a text each week from a specific, important piece of Swedish language history and learn to understand it, and analyse language changes in the text.
The course starts with the runestone Rökstenen from around the year 800, and from there on students will get nearer to modern times with each new text. Students will look at grammar, spellng, word formation and content. The course ends on a text which marks the beginning of a new era, with modern Swedish (nusvenska).
In the final exam students get a new text to analyse. Students try to understand the content and words in the text, mention important grammatical content and what is interesting with the spelling, with the goal of trying to put the text in the correct order in the language history.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningOnline learningPrerequisitesAdditional information The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.
Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.
Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.
This diploma is good preparation for further university studies abroad. It does not confer any specific professional recognition, but the skills acquired are an asset in many careers.
An education in this area can open up opportunities in:
- Tourism
- Marketing
- Import and export
- Translation and interpreting
This list is not exhaustive.
- Linguae is the organisation for language students at the University of Iceland
- Linguae organises social events for students at the Faculty of Languages and Cultures
- Members currently include students of Italian, French, German, Spanish, Danish, Chinese and Russian
- Linguae runs a Facebook group and a Facebook page
Students' comments 
When I started studying writing at the University of Iceland, I was able to choose a course in the Swedish department. To begin with, I chose Swedish literature and translations from Swedish, but I was interested in learning more. So when I finished writing, I decided to continue studying Swedish and finishing my diploma. I both found that it improved my Swedish and strengthened my grammar skills, in addition to a number of interesting courses that I wanted to take, including Swedish music and movies. The teachers are enthusiastic and ambitious. The groups are small and it is possible to take distance learning courses that suited me well. By completing an exam in Swedish, my chances of getting a translation and teaching project that I have as my main job increase.Helpful content 
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