Celtic and English Language MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Celtic

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

QQ53

Award

MA (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Central Area

Start date

September 2026

School

School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

Leugh an duilleag seo sa Gàidhlig

Study Celtic and English Language at the University of Edinburgh and you will learn about extraordinarily rich cultures, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Our joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study the languages, literatures and cultures of the Celtic world while exploring how English has evolved over time, including in an international context.

Combining the study of how language works with linguistic changes and literary tradition demonstrates that you are a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas.

When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.

Celtic

At all levels of study on this programme, we offer courses in the languages, literatures, histories and cultures of the Celtic world.

A choice of pathways through the programme enables you to develop your own interests in particular areas, periods and disciplines of Celtic studies.

As well as rich literary and oral traditions, from the medieval to the present, our expertise covers:

  • sociolinguistics - the relationship between language and society
  • 19th and 20th-century responses to the rapid social, cultural, and linguistic changes in countries where the Celtic languages are spoken
  • contemporary language policy and revitalisation
Celtic language study

You have the option to study Scottish Gaelic and build up to advanced competency in the language. It does not matter if you are a complete beginner; we stream our Year 1 classes to suit all levels of prior knowledge or none.

You can also learn a medieval Celtic language at honours level (Years 3 and 4). Both Old Irish and Middle Welsh are available.

English Language

Using techniques from modern linguistics, you will analyse the structure of written and spoken English and explore how the language has changed throughout its history.

As well as the study of change in English, we have a strong tradition of investigating variations of the language, including:

  • Scots
  • distinct dialects of English
  • international variations

You will study modern-day English and Scots and identify the similarities and differences between English and other languages.

Why Edinburgh

Edinburgh has a long-established Gaelic community and a lively contemporary cultural scene. As Scotland's capital city, its collections are outstanding, as are the University's own resources for the study of Celtic and English Language.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities, social sciences and beyond.

Your final two years will be your honours years. They will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Celtic Studies and English Language. If you have chosen to study Scottish Gaelic, you'll progress to advanced language study in these years.

How a joint degree programme works

You will study both Celtic and English Language to degree level, as well as taking optional courses in Years 1 and 2.

Celtic is based in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) and English Language in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (PPLS) on the same campus.

Your teaching will take place in and around the main LLC and PPLS buildings in the University's Central Area.

Programme rankings

  • 3rd in the UK for Modern Languages
  • 3rd in the UK for English Language and Literature
  • 3rd in the UK in the broad subject area of Arts & Humanities

Rankings from QS World Rankings by Subject 2025

Programme benefits

  • Study over four years, giving you choice and flexibility.
  • Learn in the heart of Scotland's capital city.
  • Try out different subjects in your first two years.
  • Join societies related to what you are studying.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MA (Hons) Celtic and English Language

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) Celtic and English Language.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

There are likely to be additional costs if you choose to study abroad in Year 3.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

Celtic

You will select at least one of the following pathways through the programme:

  • Scottish Gaelic language pathway
  • Celtic civilisation pathway

If you are interested in both pathways, you can opt to take courses from both.

Language pathway: Scottish Gaelic

If you take the language pathway, your course will be determined by how much Scottish Gaelic you already know.

If you have no previous knowledge, you will gain confidence in written and spoken Scottish Gaelic by taking our Gaelic 1A course.

If you are an advanced speaker, our Gaelic 1B course will develop your language skills and deepen your experience of Scottish Gaelic literature.

Celtic civilisation pathway

The Celtic civilisation pathway is made up of two courses:

  • Celtic Civilisation 1A: Barbarians, Saints and Scholars
  • Celtic Civilisation 1B: Domination, Dislocation and Defiance

Together, they seek to place the Celtic languages of the past and present into wider historical and contemporary context.

On these courses, you will consider the impact of modern Celticness on how the past has been understood. You will also be introduced to Celtic studies in the medieval and modern periods.

There is also the opportunity to combine the study of Celtic civilisation with our basic language learning course, Introduction to Gaelic Language and Culture.

English Language

You will take two semester-long introductory courses in English Language: 

  • Linguistics and English Language 1A - this offers a brief introduction to the study of language in general and of English in particular 
  • Linguistics and English Language 1B - this will help you develop the tools and knowledge needed to investigate the different subsystems of language 
Option courses

You will complete your Year 1 studies with option courses chosen from a wide range offered by the University.

If you are interested in taking both pathways through Celtic, at least one of your options will be drawn from courses in either Scottish Gaelic or Celtic civilisation.

Other options include, but are not limited to, courses in:

  • Scottish ethnology
  • linguistics and language sciences
  • European languages and cultures
  • Asian studies
  • Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
  • business, economics and informatics
  • politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
  • art and architectural history
  • history, classics and archaeology
  • philosophy, divinity and law
Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Celtic

You can choose between continuing to study the Gaelic language, or studying Celtic literatures. Alternatively, you can continue to follow both pathways, especially if you are interested in taking both modern and medieval Celtic courses in your honours years.

Language pathway: Scottish Gaelic

If you took Gaelic 1A in Year 1, you will take Gaelic 2A. If you took Gaelic 1B in Year 1, you will take Gaelic 2B.

In both cases, you will refine your language skills and learn about linguistic structure. You will also learn more about Scottish Gaelic culture and literature, exploring verse and prose.

Celtic literatures pathway

If you take this pathway, you will gain an overview of key literary genres and texts from the Celtic world. Our two courses explore literatures from different periods and places, as follows:

  • Heroes, Wonders, Saints and Sagas - covers medieval Welsh and Irish material
  • Songs, Swords, Rebels and Revivals - looks at texts from Gaelic Scotland and Early Modern and Modern Ireland

Texts are presented in English translation.

English Language

You will study linguistic theory, and take a course covering one of the following topics: 

  • the structure and history of world languages
  • variation in English over time and across geographical space 
Option courses

As in Year 1, you will also choose from a wide range of option courses offered by the University. You can opt to continue studying a subject you took in Year 1, or choose to do something completely different.

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

This is the first of your honours years, when you will specialise in the aspects of Celtic and English Language which interest you most by choosing from a range of specialist courses in both subjects.

Modern Celtic courses

These courses are available to students who took Scottish Gaelic in Years 1 and 2.

They explore literary, cultural, and historical aspects of Gaelic Scotland and Ireland - such as linguistics and sociolinguistics - from around 1600 CE to the present day.

If taking advanced language courses, you will learn to speak and write confidently in Scottish Gaelic about a variety of topics including current affairs and cultural issues using appropriate vocabulary, grammar and idiom.

Medieval Celtic courses

These courses introduce the Early Irish and Medieval Welsh languages.

They are available to all students on the programme, and will develop your study of literature, history and culture.

Independent research

If you intend to write your dissertation in Celtic, you will begin work on the project this year and complete it in Year 4. This is your chance to showcase all the research skills you have developed in your studies to date. It gives you the opportunity to look in depth at a subject in which you have a particular interest. When choosing your dissertation topic, you can draw from either the modern Gaelic or medieval Celtic side of the programme, depending on the pathway(s) you have taken through pre-honours study.

English Language

You will choose from a range of specialist, honours-level courses in English Language. Options to choose from typically include courses on:

  • current issues in the discipline
  • the history of Scots, Old and Middle English, Global Englishes and dialects
Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

This is the second of your honours years, when you will continue to specialise in the aspects of your subjects which interest you most.

You will choose further specialist, honours-level courses from either the modern or medieval side of the Celtic programme, and from English Language.

You will also complete your dissertation, which can be in either Celtic (medieval or modern) or English Language.

Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Study abroad

In Year 3, you may have the opportunity to spend the year studying abroad through the University's international exchange programme. There are also shorter-term and virtual opportunities to study or work abroad throughout the four years, including over the summer months.

What are my options for going abroad?

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

University is a place to plan your own goals under expert guidance, study independently and in groups, and reflect upon your learning throughout your degree.

Our approach to learning and teaching is active, inclusive and question-driven, so it may be different to your experiences at school. It will help you gain the skills for life after university, and we will guide you through the steps from one phase to the next.

Depending on the size of your year group, and which option courses you take, your classes will typically fall into three categories:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • seminars

From Year 2 onwards, you will do some independent practical work for English Language.

In addition to classes, and to get the most out of your courses, you will need to read widely.

Lectures

Lectures are taken by all students on a course, typically at the same time. They are delivered as interactive presentations which may involve audio-visual material.

Lectures are given by an experienced academic. They are designed to guide you through the background, questions and debates related to the topic you are studying.

Tutorials

Tutorial groups are smaller. They are also led by an academic, but here the emphasis is more on what you think about the topic yourself. So, tutorials are your chance to discuss and expand upon what you have learned in a lecture.

If you choose to study Scottish Gaelic, language tutorials give you the opportunity to develop your linguistic skills in a range of real-world tasks under the supervision of an experienced language teacher.

These classes typically cover skills such as reading, writing, listening and speaking - all of which involve learning and applying grammar.

Seminars

Seminars blend features of lectures and tutorials. Again, they are designed to encourage and enable your active participation in learning.

On some courses, you will have seminars instead of lectures, especially in your honours years (Years 3 and 4).

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and exams.

Coursework is generally completed throughout the year, while exams take place at the end of a teaching block.

Coursework will take a range of forms to give you the opportunity to practice different skills. For example, you may be asked to:

  • write an essay, review, blog post, opinion piece or learning journal
  • respond to a piece of writing, film, or other media, including through close reading
  • give a short talk or presentation
  • record a podcast or video
  • design a poster or presentation

If studying Scottish Gaelic, your exams will include oral exams to test your spoken language skills.

In your final year, you will also complete a dissertation.

Support for your studies

As well as the teaching staff and other staff members you will meet day-to-day, there are lots of ways to get help with your learning, including through the University’s Institute for Academic Development (IAD). Peer support schemes bring together students across year groups to help each other with specific study skills, topics or themes.

The PPLS Skills Centre primarily provides support with writing essays and dissertations, but also offers appointments on programming, data collection, and statistical analysis.

Where you will study

Study location

When you are on campus, you can expect to spend most of your time in the University of Edinburgh's Central Area - in class, in the library, in the lab, or in one of the University’s many social and support spaces.

The Central Area is located on the edge of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, surrounded by lots of green space.

Academic facilities

Libraries, collections and specialist equipment

Our resources for the study of Celtic are outstanding. They are largely held over three sites clustered around George Square in the University's Central Area:

  • The Main University Library and its Centre for Research Collections
  • The School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) and its Celtic Class Library
  • The School of Scottish Studies Archives and its Scottish Studies Library

Across these sites, you will find:

  • more than 400,000 rare books
  • six kilometres of archives and manuscripts
  • 33,000 recordings of songs, music, stories, rhyme and verse in Scots, Gaelic and English, as well as in dialects now extinct
  • thousands of works of art, historical musical instruments and other objects
  • thousands of photographs and rarely-seen historic documents which capture exceptional and everyday aspects of Scottish culture and heritage

Highlights for the study of Celtic include:

  • the Carmichael-Watson Collection
  • the Donald MacKinnon Collection
  • the David Laing Collection

Many of the University's Special Collections are digitised and available online from our excellent Resource Centre, computing labs and dedicated study spaces in LLC.

The University's linguistics and phonetics equipment ranks among the best in the world. It includes: 

  • recording studios
  • a perception experiment laboratory
  • an eye-tracking laboratory
Centres for research, teaching and outreach

Through the Gaelic Algorithmic Research Group (GARG), an international team researching modern technologies for Gaelic, we have led the development of the world’s first working Automatic Speech Recognition system for Scottish Gaelic. We are also founding members of Faclair na Gàidhlig, a collaborative project to publish a historical dictionary of the language.

Read our feature on what Automatic Speech Recognition means for the future of Scotland’s Gaelic language

We work closely with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the national Gaelic development agency, of which Professor Rob Dunbar is a Board Member (2023 to 2027). Rob also sits on the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages - the only treaty in the world designed to protect and promote regional and minority languages and to enable speakers to use them both in private and public life.

Career paths

Skills and experience

Graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility.

The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers include the ability to:

  • understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
  • manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
  • work independently and as part of a group

In addition to these qualities, graduating in Celtic and English Language indicates that you have a nuanced understanding of other cultures and societies and how they shape our world. This gives you the intercultural competence that is so valued by employers internationally.

Local and global opportunities

Thanks to an ever-broadening international reach, Celtic languages, literatures and cultures have a steady stream of enthusiastic new speakers and audiences.

In Scotland, particularly, developments such as the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, the creation of BBC Alba (the Gaelic digital television service), and the ongoing expansion of Gaelic-medium education have increased demand for highly-educated Gaelic speakers and specialists in Celtic culture. In some areas, there are more Gaelic-related jobs than there are people qualified to fill them.

Employment prospects are particularly high within:

  • education, outreach, advocacy and training
  • journalism, broadcasting and media
  • politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
  • publishing, culture, heritage and the arts
  • speech and language therapy (with additional training)

Read our interview with Isla Parker, the University's Gaelic and Community Relations Officer

Your transferable humanities skills will also set you apart in sectors such as:

  • business, finance, commerce and tech
  • communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
  • leisure, tourism and travel
  • research, development, consultancy and venture acceleration
  • translating and interpreting

Careers Service

Throughout your time with us, we will encourage you to identify and hone your employability skills.

Through the University's excellent Careers Service, you can:

  • get careers advice tailored towards Celtic and language sciences
  • book one-to-one appointments and practice interviews
  • access a range of online resources
  • attend events and themed fairs such as the Creative and Cultural Careers Festival
  • get help finding work while you study and for around two years after you graduate

The Careers Service is also a partner in Life After LLC, a panel event where you can draw inspiration from recent graduates of programmes in literatures, languages and cultures.

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

The enhanced research skills that you develop on a four-year programme, particularly in your honours years, are valuable assets if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level.

At the University of Edinburgh, we typically offer a Masters by Research programme in English Language and in Celtic and Scottish Studies.

We also typically offer taught masters programmes in English Language and Applied Linguistics.

Any of our masters degrees, whether research-based or taught, is a good foundation for a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.

Graduate profiles

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

I think what makes Edinburgh special is that there is so much to do whatever your interests are! Whether you enjoy hiking, relaxing in a café, socialising with friends, or literally anything else, you will never run out of options here.

Minju Kim LLC graduate (2024)

In her final year studying at Edinburgh, Minju served as the Undergraduate Representative for the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures. Together with Programme Representatives for Celtic and English Language, Undergraduate Representatives are your voice in the university - sharing your feedback to continually improve the student experience for everyone. Their roles are supported by the Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA).

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

The Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) supports more than 300 student-led societies and clubs, and promotes opportunities with local charities through its volunteering centre.

An Comunn Ceilteach (The Highland Society) is the University’s oldest student society and organises the city’s largest annual cèilidh. You might also be interested in LingSoc: the Linguistics and English Language Society.

Passionate about music, literature, song and storytelling, we regularly hold events for staff, students and visiting guests to speak, perform or present research.

We also have a Traditional Artist and Gaelic Writer in Residence, a composer/musician and a writer who work with staff and students on a range of projects and performances.

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a world-leading festival city filled with cinemas, theatres, galleries, libraries and collections. Its resources for studying Celtic and English Language are exceptional.

Many national collections are located close to the University's Central Area, making them easy to access between classes. Highlights include the:

  • National Library of Scotland
  • National Museum of Scotland 
  • Scottish Poetry Library
  • Scottish Storytelling Centre

The city has a long-established Gaelic community and a lively contemporary cultural scene. For example, there are conversation groups for practicing Gaelic socially, fèisean for performers, and an annual festival, Seachdain na Gàidhlig.

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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