Gaelic Studies and History

Gaelic and history is a combination of rare intellectual depth and contemporary relevance. Scottish Gaelic is the oldest surviving language of Scotland, carrying a literary, poetic, and oral tradition of extraordinary richness, and it remains a living language spoken in the Hebrides and beyond, supported by growing educational provision and cultural institutions. Studying Gaelic connects you to that heritage and to the contemporary communities and movements that are sustaining and developing the language today.

History adds the broader context: the study of Scottish, British, and world history in all its complexity, from medieval kingdoms and early modern transformations to the industrial revolution and the global events of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

At the University of Aberdeen, this four-year, full-time programme welcomes both native Gaelic speakers and complete beginners, recognising that access to the language should not depend on prior exposure. You will develop competence in the language alongside an appreciation of Gaelic literature, music, and culture, and you will engage with the full sweep of historical study in the broader context of world and British history. The programme includes a year abroad, broadening your academic and personal horizons.

Aberdeen's location in the north-east of Scotland and its strong research traditions in both Scottish and world history provide an excellent environment for this combination.

A typical entry tariff of 168 points reflects the academic level expected. Graduates with Gaelic and history are well placed for careers in Gaelic language media, cultural organisations, heritage and archive work, education, broadcasting, journalism, the civil service, and academic research. The combination of specialist language expertise and historical training is valued wherever engagement with Scotland's cultural heritage and linguistic identity is central to the work.

Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in Gaelic studies, history, or Celtic languages, developing specialist expertise for academic or professional careers.