Ancient History/ Celtic Studies

Ancient history and Celtic studies is a combination that spans two distinct but complementary scholarly traditions, one focused on the classical Mediterranean world of Greece and Rome, the other on the languages, literatures, and cultures of the Celtic peoples of Britain, Ireland, and continental Europe. Together they offer a rich encounter with the deep history and diverse cultures of Europe from antiquity through to the early medieval period.

Ancient history, as studied at the University of Glasgow, involves the history and culture of Greece, Rome, and the wider Mediterranean between the eighth century BC and the fifth century AD, with the opportunity to learn Latin and ancient Greek if you wish. You will work with primary sources including literary texts, inscriptions, and archaeological evidence, developing the skills to analyse them critically and to construct well-supported historical arguments. Celtic studies brings a complementary depth, drawing on the rich surviving literatures of Welsh, Irish, and other Celtic languages, the archaeology of Celtic Europe, and the history of peoples who have been central to British and European history but whose story is less familiar to many students.

The part-time mode and the year abroad option give you flexibility in how and where you pursue these studies.

Graduates from ancient history and Celtic studies go on to careers in heritage, museums, archives, publishing, education, journalism, public administration, and the cultural sector. The analytical, linguistic, and research skills you develop are highly transferable. For those drawn to research, postgraduate study in classics, Celtic languages, medieval history, or archaeology is a natural continuation, and the depth of scholarly training these disciplines provide is excellent preparation for doctoral work.