Gaelic and Education

Gaelic is one of Scotland's indigenous languages, carrying a literary, cultural, and historical tradition of great richness and depth. For centuries it was the dominant language of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, and its literature spans oral poetry, song, religious writing, and a continuous literary tradition that extends into the present. Studying Gaelic alongside education creates a degree with a clear professional purpose: developing speakers, teachers, and advocates who can play an active role in the language's survival and revival.

The combination is also intellectually coherent, as the study of language learning and teaching deepens understanding of language itself.

At the University of the Highlands and Islands, this part-time degree reflects the university's distinctive mission to serve the communities of the Highlands and Islands where Gaelic is most deeply rooted. Teaching takes place through a combination of in-person sessions at local campuses and learning centres, digital access to classes and materials, and work-based activity that provides industry-relevant experience. This flexible delivery model is well suited to students who live in dispersed communities or have existing employment in Gaelic-medium education or related sectors.

You will develop your language skills alongside an understanding of educational theory, child and adult language acquisition, and the cultural and policy contexts that shape Gaelic education in Scotland.

You will develop both competence in Gaelic and the educational understanding needed to teach or support learners of the language. This is a combination that is directly relevant to employment in Gaelic-medium schools, adult education, community development, and cultural organisations.

Graduates from Gaelic and education programmes work in Gaelic-medium primary and secondary education, early years education, adult learning, community Gaelic development, broadcasting, and the cultural sector. The degree is also a pathway to postgraduate teacher education for those who want to qualify as Gaelic-medium teachers, where there is continuing national demand for qualified practitioners.