Gaelic/History

Scottish Gaelic is a living language carrying centuries of literary, oral and cultural tradition, and studying it at degree level means engaging with that tradition alongside the serious linguistic work of developing genuine fluency in a language that is both historically significant and actively spoken in Scotland today. History brings to the combination the discipline of working with evidence from the past, asking how events and processes unfolded, how they were experienced by those who lived through them, and what forces shaped the societies and cultures that Gaelic study is itself concerned with. Together, the two subjects offer a coherent and richly interconnected approach to Scottish and broader cultural history.

This part-time degree at the University of Glasgow includes a year abroad, which gives you the opportunity to deepen your linguistic skills or historical knowledge in an international academic environment. The part-time structure allows you to pursue this specialist combination alongside other commitments. You will develop your command of Scottish Gaelic, exploring the language through its literature, oral tradition and contemporary contexts, while studying history across a range of periods and geographical areas, with the depth of engagement in Scottish and Celtic history that the pairing naturally encourages.

Graduates from this combination are well placed for careers in education, heritage, cultural organisations, broadcasting and language development, as well as in research roles concerned with Scottish culture, history and linguistics. Teachers of Gaelic are in genuine demand as the language sustains and develops its presence in Scottish education and public life. The skills in research, critical analysis and communication that both subjects develop are also transferable to a wide range of careers where the ability to work carefully with complex material and to present findings clearly is valued.