Celtic Civilisation immerses you in the history of the Celts, the development of their societies, their literature, material culture, art and religion, from earliest times to the present day.

You will gain an overview of the development of Celtic societies from earliest times through to the present day, taking in Continental Europe, post-Roman Britain and Ireland, and the medieval and modern societies of Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Programme structure

Year 1

In the first year of study you will explore the history, culture and religious beliefs of the ancient Celts who, at their maximum extent, occupied much of Western and Central Europe, from Britain and Ireland in the west, to Asia Minor in the east. You will also examine the society, art and literature of the early Christian Celts of Britain and Ireland.

You will also study two other subjects of your choice in year 1: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2

In the second year, the course expands on the foundation laid in the first year. You will study the most important aspects of the histories, institutions, cultures and literatures of Scottish Gaelic, Irish and Welsh societies.

• Celtic societies, 1066–1603 is concerned with the period of the Norman colonisations up to 1603.
• Celtic societies and the modern world traces the development in the histories of Gaelic Scotland, Ireland and Wales from 1750 to the present day.

You will also study two other subjects in year 2: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Years 3 and 4

If you successfully complete the courses in first and second year, you may progress to Honours (years 3 and 4). The Honours years give you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of specific aspects of Celtic history, literatures and cultures.

Areas you might wish to focus on at this level include belief and culture in early medieval Ireland and Gaelic Scotland; Celtic place-names of Scotland; early Gaelic literature; Celtic art; medieval Welsh literature; or legal traditions and social reflections of Celtic societies.

Honours students on this programme also have access to a series of courses on Celtic history and culture on topics such as medieval Ireland, the Northern Britons and the Picts.

You will also write a dissertation, allowing you to research a relevant topic of your own choosing and to develop a capacity to work independently.

Our international links

Career prospects

Note

Academic entry requirements
for entry in 2014

MA

Highers: AAAA or AAABB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) in first sitting = unconditional offer.

Applicants who achieved AAAB or AABBB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) at their first sitting WILL receive an offer from the University. This offer may be conditional (on second sitting results) or unconditional, depending on how many applications are received from students who have attained these grades.

Additional offers, either conditional or unconditional, MAY be made to applicants who achieved AABB or ABBB at their first sitting. A decision re these applications will be made in March 2014 once all applications have been reviewed.

A-levels: AAB.

IB: A minimum of 34 points is required to be considered for an offer. Actual offers will specify subjects and grades to be attained at Higher Level.

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 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• 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): 60; no sub-test less than 59

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.

For further information about English language, please contact the Language Centre.

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.

Scholarships

We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
 
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see:

• Scholarships