Celtic Civilisation/Scottish Literature

Celtic civilisation and Scottish literature is a combination that explores two of the richest and most distinctive cultural traditions of the British Isles. Celtic civilisation immerses you in the history of the Celts, from their earliest origins on the European continent through to the present-day British Isles, examining their societies, languages, literature, material culture, art, and religion across more than two millennia of history. Scottish literature examines the literary production of Scotland across its languages, including Scots, Scottish English, and Scottish Gaelic, engaging with a tradition that ranges from the medieval makars and the ballad tradition through Burns and Scott to the vibrant contemporary writing of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

At Glasgow, both strands are pursued in an institution with outstanding research strength in Celtic studies and Scottish literature. You will develop close textual analysis skills and historical contextual understanding in both fields, exploring the ways that Celtic and Scottish cultural traditions have intersected and diverged across the centuries. The programme includes a year abroad and runs over four years full-time, leading to an MA (Hons).

The typical entry tariff is 200 points.

Graduates of Celtic civilisation and Scottish literature programmes pursue careers in teaching, heritage and cultural institutions, broadcasting, journalism, publishing, arts administration, and academic research. The combination of Celtic and Scottish cultural expertise is rare in the graduate market and is valued in the cultural and public sector organisations that engage with these traditions, including Historic Environment Scotland, BBC Scotland, Scottish heritage bodies, and the growing corpus of organisations concerned with Scottish Gaelic language and culture. Many graduates go on to postgraduate research in Celtic studies, Scottish literature, or mediaeval and early modern cultures.