This Masters in Celtic Studies is an interdisciplinary programme specialising in the medieval Celtic languages, literature, history and archaeology covering the whole span of the Middle Ages from the 6th to the 16th centuries.

Programme overview

• MLitt: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

You will take two core courses, choose two optional courses (one per semester) and study a Celtic Language. You will also produce a dissertation on a specialist topic agreed with your supervisor.

Core courses

• Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Scottish Culture (Semester 1)
• Themes and debates in Celtic studies (Semester 2)

You will also take  introductory courses in one of the medieval Celtic languages. If appropriate, you may do advanced study in one of these languages. You may, if appropriate, take a course in Scottish Gaelic instead.

• Introduction to Early Gaelic (Old and Middle Irish)
• Introduction to Middle Welsh.

Optional courses from a wide range of specialist courses including

• Celtic Art: An Interdisciplinary Approach
• Celtic Place-names of Scotland
• Critical Issues in Early Gaelic Literature
• Finn in Gaelic Literature
• Legal traditions in Medieval Ireland and Wales
• Literacy in Celtic Culture and Society: An Interdisciplinary Approach
• Picts: An Interdisciplinary Approach
• Special Option (Semester 1 or 2) [This is a course of guided reading, directed by a specialist in a field of your choice, designed to produce a research essay of c. 5000 words]

You may alternatively, with the approval of the programme organiser, take a taught course from a related Master’s programme or take another language course.

Dissertation

You will write a dissertation of 10000-15000 words on a topic of your choice, benefitting from the expert supervision of our staff.

Career prospects

The programme provides an excellent platform for you to move onto PhD studies and an academic career.

Academic entry requirements

Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject unless otherwise specified.

Note: a short (one paragraph) statement of interest is also required.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.5
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 24
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 68; minimum 60 in writing

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Apply now

For 2013-14

MLitt