Scandinavian Studies

Volda University College offers an unique opportunity to engage in Scandinavian studies in the heartland of Fjord Norway. Here you can immerse yourself in the culture and language and get in-depth understanding of the country's history, heritage and food traditions and customs.

Long traditions

Volda University College has long traditions of teaching Norwegian language and culture to international students. Our faculty members have authored books and are internationally active in the Scandinavian Studies community. The university college is also a national centre for the New Norwegian language (Nynorsk) in education.

Volda is widely known for its schools and intellectual environment. The teacher training college in Volda was the first of its kind in Norway to be established outside a major city, the Egset library was the first rural library in Norway and the local newspaper was launched as early as 1810. Our area is also viewed as the birthplace of Nynorsk, the second official language of Norway.

Ideal location

Volda and the surrounding areas highlight the traditional Norway: the coastal farms, the fishing industry, glaciers, a church in every village, Viking ship traditions, bunad and kransekake. Yet, at the same time, the area also illustrates the modern Norway through the high-tech marine and maritime industry, international work force and foreign impulses in architecture, food and media. Here you are ideally located to study the past and present of Norwegian society.