From Vikings to Welfare: An Introduction to the Archaeology and History of Sweden and the Nordic Countries 30 credits

About the course

With this course students gain insight into the Archaeology, history, history of religions and intellectual history of Sweden and the Nordic countries. The course contains four modules: ancient Scandinavia, history of the Nordic countries, history of Nordic religions (Viking age religion, Sami religion and Christianity) and the Sami, and the intellectual history of Sweden.

Module 1. Ancient Scandinavia (7.5 credits)
The first module introduces the pre-historic times in Scandinavia, that begins in the end of the last Ice Age and ends in the Viking Period. We study the variation and change in material culture, monument types and environments. We also study the interpretations of ancient ways of life lifeways, societies, and Scandinavian ancient beliefs.

Module 2. History of the Nordic countries (7.5 credits)
The second module deals with the history of the Nordic countries from the Early Middle Ages until present day in a comparative perspective. We study, among other things, the rise of the Danish and Swedish protestant states, the consequences of the Napoleonic period, the coming of nationalism and new identities in the nineteenth century, the development of the Welfare State, the Nordic Countries and the Second World War, the situation during the Cold War and finally Minorities in the Nordic Countries.

Module 3. Sami and Old Norse Religion/Nordic religions (7,5 credits)
This module provides a comparative perspective on Nordic religions, from the Viking Age to the present. Focus is on Old Norse religion around year 1000 and Sami religion in the 17th and 18th centuries. The introduction and history of Christianity in Sweden is outlined as well. Topics that are given attention are: sources and source criticism; myth and rite; the cultural and societal context for the different religious traditions; and the indigenous Nordic religions' encounters with Christianity. Further, the different views, interpretations and uses of these religious traditions in the history of research and in popular culture are problematized.

Module 4. Twentieth Century Swedish Intellectual History (7,5 credits)
This course covers Swedish intellectual history, from the early twentieth century and onwards, with a special focus on the role of science and technology in shaping Sweden´s national identity and political culture. Students gain insight into the role of expert knowledge in Swedish society, in tensions between democratic and technocratic tendencies in large scale public health projects, as well as in controversies over the regulation of and policies for biomedicine, IT and the environment. Students are also given the opportunity to engage in discussions about the mutual shaping of knowledge, science, technology, and society.

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Spring 2026
- From Vikings to Welfare: An Introduction to the Archaeology and History of Sweden and the Nordic Countries
  
  International admissions round
  
  Spring 2026 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  19 January 2026
  
  Ends
  7 June 2026
  
  Number of credits
  30 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Teaching hours
  Daytime
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-F1610
  
  Selection
  Results-National university aptitude test-Academic credits
  
  Application
  Application deadline was 15 August 2025. The application period is closed.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 48,300
  
  Total fee: SEK 48,300
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
- From Vikings to Welfare: An Introduction to the Archaeology and History of Sweden and the Nordic Countries
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  Spring 2026 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Apply
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  19 January 2026
  
  Ends
  7 June 2026
  
  Number of credits
  30 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Teaching hours
  Daytime
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-16102
  
  Selection
  Results-National university aptitude test-Academic credits
  
  Application
  Online applications are now open. Application deadline is 15 October 2025. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 48,300
  
  Total fee: SEK 48,300
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

Apply online via universityadmissions.se
You apply to our programmes and courses via universityadmissions.se – the official website for higher education applications in Sweden. There, you can track your application, check that your documents have been registered, and log in to find our your admission results.
 
Late applications
Admissions to most programmes and courses typically close after the final application deadline. However, some programmes and courses may still accept late applications if seats are available. These are marked “Open for late application” on universityadmissions.se. Please note that late applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed.

More about application and admission

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