Gaelic Scotland BA (Hons)

Course code Q538

What is special about this course?

The BA (Hons) Gaelic Scotland* has been designed for those with an interest in Gaelic language and Gaelic culture. You will develop a good understanding of Gaelic issues and acquire skills relevant for employment in a wide range of sectors.

The Gaelic Scotland degree is about Gaelic, taught in English, with Gaelic language modules suitable for all levels of ability.

As well as the language strands, you will study elements of Gaelic history and literature, and examine issues related to the development of the Gaelic language and culture.

There is no requirement for Gaelic language skills on entry: the course caters for and will strengthen all levels of linguistic capability. You will have the opportunity to learn the language or develop your language skills depending on your starting point. The course includes a beginners, learners and improvers, and fluent language strand. The most appropriate strand for you will be assessed during the application process.

*subject to revalidation

Special features

  • You will have the opportunity to learn about Gaelic language and culture, as well as developing your language skills
  • No Gaelic skills are required at enrolment, these will be developed as part of the course
  • You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances
  • You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
  • International students can study online from their home country following the beginners language strand

Entry requirements

Entry to year one:

  • 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above OR
  • 2 A levels at grade BC or above
  • At least two should be from the list of relevant academic subjects
  • Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
  • International students, studying from their home country, whose first language is not English must meet language competency standards as noted on the international page of our website

Access routes

  • NC Celtic Studies

Year 1 - CertHE

Core modules are:

  • Gaelic story and song (S2)
  • The Gaelic world 1 (S1)
  • Introduction to Gaelic prose (S1)

You will also choose one option module in Semester 2.

Depending on the language strand being followed, you will also take the following modules:

  • Beginners: Gaelic for Learners 1A (S1) and Gaelic for Learners 1B (S2)
  • Learners and improvers: Cùrsa Adhartais module 5 (S1) and Cùrsa Adhartais module 6 (S2)
  • Advanced and fluent speakers: Gàidhlig a h-Aon (S1 and S2) and Cultar nan Gàidheal (S1 and S2)

Year 2 - DipHE

Core modules are:

  • Introduction to Gaelic poetry (S1)
  • Folklore (S1)

Depending on the language strand being followed, you will also take the following modules:

  • Beginners: Gaelic for Learners 2A (S1) and Gaelic for Learners 2B (S2), plus two optional modules.
  • Learners and improvers and advanced and fluent speakers: Gàidhlig 2 (S1 and S2), and Onomastics (S2), plus two optional modules.

Year 3 - BA

Core modules are:

  • Scotland in film (S1)
  • Traditional culture (S1)
  • Nationalism and national identity (S2)
  • Research skills (S1)

You will also choose two optional modules.

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

Core modules are:

  • Traditional culture in the 21st century (S1)
  • Language policy in the workplace (S2)
  • Dissertation (S1 and S2)

You will also choose two optional modules.

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • You will learn through a combination of video conference tutorials and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE) with support from your tutors
  • International students undertaking the course from their home country can study online and by video conference, in real-time or recordings

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 4 years 
  • Part-time (structured): 8 years 

Where can I study my course?

  • Argyll
  • HTC
  • Inverness
  • North, West and Hebrides
  • Shetland

International applicants studying online from home should apply to UHI North, West and Hebrides.

Start date

  • September

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
  2023-24 2024-25
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £1,820 £1,820
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £915 £915
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £305 £305

Rest of the UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status the following fees apply:

  2023-24 2024-25
Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) £6,120 £6,120
Part-time online (per 20 credit module) £1,020 £1,020

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK studying online from their home country, or living in the UK but assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:

This includes EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK and EEA and Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

  2023-24 2024-25
Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) £6,540 £6,960
Part-time online (per 20 credit module) £1,090 £1,160

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed your BA (Hons) Gaelic Scotland you might like to consider careers in:

  • Tourism
  • Community development
  • Teaching
  • Research

Is there more information available online?

QR Code - scan to visit course page

You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.

We get so much support, the lecturers are always there whenever we need them if we have any questions, lecturers are often an email away, or we can go and see them when we are on campus. They’ll be here anytime. We get a lot of one-to-one tuition here, you do feel like you get a lot of support.  

There’s always a lot happening on campus, there’s always events we go to. We’ve got conversation classes, quiz nights and Ceilidhs. You are never sitting bored, there’s so much on and everything is so close. The student accommodation was so amazing, the views you get every morning waking up to the sea. I think it is a great place to study, it is a great community, you know everybody on campus, and it feels like you are part of a family. It’s a really lovely place to study.  

Amber is studying Gaelic at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a partner of UHI.

Apply for Gaelic Scotland BA (Hons)

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2024

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.