Gaelic/Celtic Civilisation

Gaelic and Celtic civilisation is a programme that gives you access to some of the most ancient literary and cultural traditions in Europe and to a living language with a distinctive contemporary presence in Scotland. Scottish Gaelic is the indigenous language of much of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, with a literary tradition extending back over a millennium and a contemporary significance in broadcasting, education, and public life that is greater than at any point in recent history. Celtic civilisation encompasses the wider family of Celtic cultures, including Irish, Welsh, Manx, Cornish, and Breton, and the literary, historical, and material remains of ancient Celtic peoples.

At the University of Glasgow, this four-year full-time programme invites you to explore Scottish Gaelic language and culture through the centuries to the present day, and to develop your Gaelic language skills for the contemporary job market. You will study the Gaelic literary tradition, from medieval manuscripts through to contemporary poetry and prose, alongside the history of the Gaelic world and the linguistic structures of the language itself. The Celtic civilisation element broadens your perspective across the Celtic language family and ancient Celtic history and archaeology.

The programme includes a year abroad, which may involve study in a Gaelic or Celtic-speaking community, deepening both your linguistic fluency and your cultural understanding.

Graduates from Gaelic and Celtic civilisation programmes go on to careers in Gaelic-medium broadcasting, education, cultural organisations, public bodies with Gaelic responsibilities, publishing, heritage, and community development. The language skills and cultural knowledge the degree develops are valued in Scotland's growing Gaelic-medium sector. Further study at postgraduate level in Gaelic, Celtic studies, or related humanities fields is available for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.