Celtic Studies

Celtic studies is one of the oldest areas of European scholarship, focused on the languages, literatures, and cultures of the Celtic-speaking peoples of the British Isles and beyond. From ancient Irish and Welsh manuscripts to the living languages of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Brittany, and Cornwall, the field spans a remarkable breadth of time and place. It matters for our understanding of European history, for the ongoing vitality of minority languages, and for the preservation of literary and oral traditions that would otherwise be lost.

At the University of Glasgow, this four-year full-time degree combines language study with wide-ranging courses on medieval and modern Celtic cultures. You will develop proficiency in one or more Celtic languages, reading texts ranging from early medieval poetry to contemporary literature. You will explore the historical development of these languages within broader European linguistic patterns, and study the cultural and social contexts that shaped Celtic communities across different periods.

The programme draws on archaeology, literary studies, history, and linguistics, developing your ability to analyse texts closely and to situate them within their historical and cultural settings. A year abroad is included, giving you the opportunity to spend time in a Celtic-speaking community or academic institution, deepening both your language skills and your cultural understanding in ways that classroom study alone cannot replicate.

Graduates pursue careers in academia, heritage and museums, broadcasting, publishing, language teaching, and public bodies concerned with language policy and cultural preservation. Postgraduate study in Celtic languages, medieval studies, and linguistics are natural next steps for those who wish to pursue research.