Portuguese/Gaelic

Portuguese and Scottish Gaelic is a rare and intellectually rich combination, pairing one of the world's most widely spoken languages with one of the Celtic languages that is integral to Scotland's cultural identity and heritage. Portuguese is spoken by over 260 million people across Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, and the wider Lusophone world, and carries a literary, cultural, and commercial significance that extends across several continents. Scottish Gaelic, while spoken by a relatively small number of people today, is a living language with a profound literary tradition, deep roots in Scottish Highland culture, and a growing community of speakers, learners, and advocates.

At the University of Glasgow this five-year full-time programme develops both languages to meaningful levels of proficiency, engaging with the cultures, literatures, and histories of the Lusophone and Gaelic worlds. You will explore Scottish Gaelic language and culture from its medieval origins through to its contemporary forms, understanding how the language has survived and how it is being used in education, broadcasting, and community life today. Your Portuguese studies will develop your language skills alongside engagement with the literature, film, music, and contemporary societies of the Portuguese-speaking world.

The programme includes a sandwich year and work placement opportunities, giving you professional experience connected to your linguistic and cultural studies.

This combination opens a genuinely distinctive range of career possibilities. Portuguese-speaking markets, particularly in Brazil and Africa, are significant for international business, diplomacy, journalism, and development work. Scottish Gaelic skills are valued in Scottish education, broadcasting with organisations such as MG Alba, heritage organisations, and public services.

Some graduates pursue postgraduate study in Celtic languages, Lusophone studies, or translation, while others use the rare combination of language skills to build careers in international and cultural contexts.