Scottish Gaelic is Scotland’s oldest living language, with both a varied past and a vibrant present. Gaelic is brought to life by a dedicated Gaelic language officer who promotes the language and culture across the University.

Programme structure

Year 1

In the first year there are three parallel courses, one for students with a good pass in Higher Gàidhlig, a second for those with a good pass in Higher Gaelic and a third for absolute beginners. Whether you are a native speaker of Scottish Gaelic, a learner or a complete beginner, our Gaelic programme allows you to develop advanced language skills at the same time as acquiring in-depth knowledge and understanding of Scottish Gaelic language, culture and literature, and those of related languages such as modern Irish.

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 you continue to broaden your knowledge of Scottish Gaelic literature, as well as deepening your language skills.

If you progress through the courses for advanced Gaelic in first year, you will study 19th-century Gaelic writers such as Norman MacLeod, 17th- and 18th-century poetry (including Iain Lom and Sìleas na Ceapaich), and aspects of Gaelic linguistics including phonetics and sociolinguistics.

If you progress through the beginners’ course,     you will continue to hone your language skills and also study a range of Gaelic writing, some of which is taught through the medium of Gaelic.

Students who are not fluent Gaelic speakers have the opportunity to improve their fluency by attending a three-week inter-university Gaelic summer school.

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

Years 3 and 4

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4), you will concentrate on modern Scottish Gaelic language and literature, whilst broadening out to the study of Irish and the development and varieties of the Gaelic languages. This allows you to study aspects of Gaelic literature and language in more depth, mostly through the medium of Gaelic, and to develop your critical and analytical skills.

You will also write a dissertation, researching a relevant topic of your own choosing.

In terms of language skills, you are trained to a high level of proficiency.

Special features

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