Celtic Studies/Scottish History

Celtic studies and Scottish history address two interlocking fields of inquiry that illuminate the cultures, languages and historical experiences of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man, as well as the broader medieval and modern history of Scotland within the British Isles and beyond. Celtic studies brings a linguistic dimension, combining the study of medieval and modern Celtic languages with literature, culture and the histories of the peoples who spoke them. Scottish history provides a deep account of political, social, economic and cultural change in Scotland from the medieval period to the present.

At the University of Glasgow, this part-time programme allows you to pursue both strands at a pace that suits your circumstances. Celtic studies opens up the opportunity to engage with Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Old and Middle Irish and other languages of the Celtic family, along with their literatures and the distinctive cultural traditions they carry. The programme also addresses the broader history of Celtic cultures, their relationships with neighbouring peoples and the survival and revival of Celtic languages in the modern period.

The Scottish history strand explores Scottish political development, the Reformation, the Union, Highland society, industrialisation, emigration, nationalism and Scotland's contemporary identity.

The programme includes a year abroad, providing the opportunity to engage directly with Celtic or Scottish historical scholarship in another institution and to experience the living communities where Celtic languages are still spoken.

Graduates go on to careers in education, heritage and museum work, archiving and records management, broadcasting, journalism, publishing and the cultural sector. The combination of linguistic, historical and analytical skills is valued in the civil service and in roles requiring expertise in Scottish and Celtic cultural policy. Many continue to postgraduate study in Celtic languages, medieval studies, Scottish history or related disciplines, including doctoral research.