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Celtic Studies MLitt
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.
- The wide-ranging curriculum can be tailored to your own undergraduate experience. This means the programme is suitable whether you have a Celtic Studies degree or you come from a related subject such as history, literature, or archaeology.
- This programme will provide you with a highly stimulating environment, learning from internationally renowned scholars.
- You will participate in the lively research culture of the Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies, including weekly research seminars across the academic session.
- You will enjoy easy access to our research archive, the MacLean Room, which houses our range of books, periodicals and other printed material relating to Celtic and Gaelic.
- At Glasgow, you are uniquely well placed to study the medieval Celts in the context of Scottish Gaelic. Through the work of its Gaelic Officer and the Gàidhlig@OilthighGhlaschu initiative, Celtic and Gaelic provides you an unparalleled opportunity to work and socialise in a bilingual environment and to experience the music and culture of contemporary Gaelic Scotland.
- In the most recent independent review of research quality (RAE 2008), Celtic Studies at Glasgow was rated top in Scotland.
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.
Further information: Dr Geraldine Parsons
email: Geraldine.parsons@glasgow.ac.uk
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.
Further information regarding academic entry requirements: student.recruitment@glasgow.ac.uk
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:
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
We ask that you apply online for a postgraduate taught degree. Our system allows you to fill out the standard application form online and submit this to the University within 42 days of starting your application.
You need to read the guide to applying online before starting your application. It will ensure you are ready to proceed, as well as answer many common questions about the process.
Guide to applying online
Do I have to apply online for a postgraduate taught degree?
Yes. To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We are unable to accept your application by any other means than online.
Do I need to complete and submit the application in a single session?
No. You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process. You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload additional documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
What essential documentation should I have available before I start my application?
As well as completing your online application fully, it is essential that you submit the following documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- Two supporting reference letters on headed paper
- Evidence of your English Language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)
Do my supporting documents need to be submitted online?
Yes, where possible, please upload the supporting documents with your application.
What if I am unable to submit all of my supporting documents online?
If you cannot upload an electronic copy of a document and need to send it in by post, please attach a cover sheet to it that includes your name, the programme you are applying for, and your application reference number.
You may send them to:
Recruitment & International Office
71 Southpark Avenue
Glasgow
G12 8QQ
Fax: +44 141 330 4045
Can I email my supporting documents?
No. We cannot accept email submissions of your supporting documents.
What should I do if am having problems using the online application system?
If you are having issues, please email doashelp@mis.gla.ac.uk
What entry requirements should I have met before applying? Where can I find them?
You should check that you have met (or are likely to have met prior to the start of the programme) the individual entry requirements for the degree programme you are applying for. This information can be found on the ‘entry requirements’ tab on each individual programme page, such as the one you are viewing now.
What English Language requirements should I have met before applying? Where can I find them?
If you are an international student, you should also check that you have met the English Language requirements specific to the programme you are applying for. These can also be found on the ‘entry requirements’ tab for each specific programme.
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately, they are also available within the help section of the online application form. You can also download a PDF with detailed guidance information for the online application system:
Applicants' Guide to Online Application
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
- References: Please provide the names and contact details of two academic references. Where applicable one of these references may be from your current employer. References should be completed on letter headed paper and uploaded on to your application.
Standard application deadlines
- International applications (non-EU) 23 July 2013
- UK and EU applications 27 August 2013
Classes start on 16 September 2013 (provisional date) for most courses and you may be expected to attend induction sessions the week before
