Gaelic/Scottish Literature

Scottish Gaelic is one of the oldest living languages in the British Isles, with a literary tradition that stretches back over a millennium and a culture of poetry, song, storytelling, and oral tradition that is deeply embedded in the history of Scotland and the wider Gaelic world. Studying Gaelic and Scottish literature together gives you access to that tradition in its own terms, developing genuine language competence alongside scholarly engagement with its literary and cultural expressions from the medieval period to the present day.

This part-time programme at the University of Glasgow explores Scottish Gaelic language and culture through the centuries to the present, developing your language skills alongside your understanding of the literary and cultural heritage they unlock. You will study poetry, prose, and oral tradition across different historical periods, situate Gaelic within the broader social and political history of Scotland, and consider the contemporary position of the language in Scottish life and education. The year abroad gives you the opportunity to engage with Gaelic or closely related Celtic cultures in a different national context, whether in Ireland, on the Isle of Man, or in other settings where Celtic languages and traditions remain vital.

Graduates of Gaelic and Scottish literature programmes move into careers in education, community language development, broadcasting, publishing, arts administration, and cultural heritage. The revitalisation of Scottish Gaelic has created sustained demand for people who combine language skills with cultural knowledge and professional capability, and Gaelic-medium education in Scotland continues to grow as more families seek it for their children. Further postgraduate study in Gaelic studies, Celtic languages, Scottish literature, or cultural heritage is a natural extension for those who wish to pursue specialist research or leadership roles in the Gaelic cultural sector.