Scottish Language & Literature

Scottish language and literature is a discipline that takes as its subject one of the richest and most distinctive national literary traditions in the English-speaking world, encompassing writing in English, Scots, and Gaelic across more than seven centuries. From the medieval romances and the poetry of Robert Burns to the novels of Walter Scott, the Scottish Renaissance of the twentieth century, and the vibrant contemporary literary scene, Scotland's literature is both deeply rooted in a specific cultural and historical experience and engaged with the broadest questions of human experience. Studying it alongside Scottish language in its historical and contemporary forms gives you a uniquely integrated understanding of how literary culture and linguistic heritage interact.

At the University of Glasgow, this part-time programme is offered by the only academic unit in the UK exclusively dedicated to the teaching of and research into Scottish literature, making it the pre-eminent place in the world to pursue this subject. The university is home to the Centre for Robert Burns Studies, which is engaged in major scholarly work on Scotland's national poet, and the research culture of the department enriches the teaching available to students at every level. A year abroad is incorporated into the programme, giving you the opportunity to experience Scottish language and literature from a comparative and international vantage point.

Graduates of Scottish language and literature go on to work in education, publishing, journalism, broadcasting, cultural organisations, heritage and archive work, and the creative industries. Many pursue postgraduate research in Scottish literature, Scottish studies, or related areas of literary and cultural study, and the Centre for Robert Burns Studies at Glasgow provides a particularly active environment for this kind of research. The cultural and linguistic expertise developed in this programme is also valued in the growing public sector investment in Scottish cultural identity.