Celtic Studies/History

Celtic studies brings together the languages, literatures, histories and cultures of the Celtic peoples, from the ancient Gauls and Britons of continental Europe and the early British Isles to the contemporary communities that speak Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Breton, Cornish and Manx today. It is a discipline that attends to the long sweep of Celtic civilisation, the development of societies, laws, material culture, art and religious traditions from earliest times to the present, and it draws on linguistics, literary study, history and archaeology to do so. History complements this with the methods and breadth to examine human experience across societies and periods, reading sources critically and constructing reasoned interpretations of the past.

At the University of Glasgow, this four-year full-time programme immerses you in the history of the Celts, their literature and their development as societies, while also equipping you with the historical skills to engage with a wider range of periods and contexts. You will encounter primary sources in Celtic languages, literary texts in translation and historical documents, developing the ability to work across languages and disciplines with care and precision. A year abroad is included in the programme, offering the opportunity to study in a different country or cultural context, potentially including a Celtic-speaking region or a European institution with relevant expertise.

A typical entry tariff of 200 points reflects the academic rigour of the programme and the preparation students bring.

Graduates from Celtic studies and history programmes move into careers in heritage, museums, archives, education, cultural organisations and broadcasting, as well as the civil service, law and the wider public sector. The linguistic skills developed through engagement with Celtic languages are valuable in translation, cultural policy and language education. Postgraduate study in Celtic studies, linguistics, medieval history or heritage management is a well-established pathway for those who wish to pursue research or specialist professional roles.