Postgraduate taught 

Celtic Studies MSc

Photos of two churches on the Isle of Iona

This is an interdisciplinary programme specialising in the languages, literatures, history and archaeology of the Celtic-speaking peoples across the whole span of the Middle Ages from the 6th - 16th centuries. This programme is taught and run by participating scholars from Celtic and Gaelic, Archaeology and History, and offers students a chance to branch out into many different specialist studies, as well as gaining a good grounding in one or more of the medieval Celtic languages.

  • MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time

Why this programme

  • Study with internationally renowned scholars in a stimulating background whether you have a first degree in Celtic Studies, or come from a related subject such as history, literature or archaeology. You can personalise the wide-ranging curriculum to ensure that it meets your needs and interests.
  • At Glasgow, you are uniquely well placed to study the medieval Celts in the context of Scottish Gaelic. Through the work of the Gàidhlig@OilthighGhlaschu initiative, Celtic and Gaelic provides an unparalleled opportunity to work and socialise in a bilingual environment and to experience the music and culture of contemporary Gaelic Scotland.
  • 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.

Programme structure

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

Core courses

You will also take a course in one of the medieval Celtic languages at introductory or advanced level. You may, if appropriate, take a course in Scottish Gaelic instead.

  • INTRODUCTION TO EARLY GAELIC (OLD AND MIDDLE IRISH)
  • INTRODUCTION TO MEDIEVAL WELSH
  • ADVANCED EARLY GAELIC 1
  • ADVANCED EARLY GAELIC 2
  • ADVANCED MEDIEVAL WELSH 1
  • ADVANCED MEDIEVAL WELSH 2
  • GAELIC (AB INITIO)
  • GAELIC (INTERMEDIATE)
  • GAIDHLIG ADHARTACH

Optional courses 

  • SPECIAL OPTION 1 / SPECIAL OPTION 2 (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 around 5,000 words.

Among the taught optional courses are courses in, for example:

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

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

Graduates have secured jobs in academia, museums and government heritage bodies; publishing and book marketing; primary and secondary teaching, and teaching English as a foreign language abroad.

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

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2023-24

MSc

UK

  • Full-time fee: £10050
  • Part-time fee: £1117 per 20 credits

International & EU

  • Full-time fee: £22140

Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

University of Glasgow African Excellence Award

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 15 scholarships for International students from Africa, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

University of Glasgow African Partners Award

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 15 scholarships for International students, alumni or staff at one of the University partners in Africa, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

Please see the University of Glasgow Africa Partners List 2023.

University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award

The University of Glasgow is offering 5 scholarships for International students from the Caribbean, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award

The University of Glasgow has 40 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to students from low and middle income countries, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline, in academic session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award (Nigeria)

The University of Glasgow has 10 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to Nigerian students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline in academic session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

University of Glasgow Scholarships for Turkey and Syria

Following the devastating earthquake which struck Turkey and Syria, the University of Glasgow is offering 6 exclusive full tuition fee waivers to students from this region, who are facing challenges in progressing on to Higher Education. The scholarship is available to students entering any of the University’s Colleges to undertake an Undergraduate or Postgraduate Taught (one-year Masters) programme in 2023-2024.

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

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.

 

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)

  • 7.0 with no subtests under 6.5.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

  • 95 with minimum R 23, L 23, S 22, W 24.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

PTE (Academic or Academic Online)

  • 68 with minimum 62 in all subtests.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

  • 185 overall, no subtest less than 176
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)

  • 65%.
  • Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

  • Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • 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)
  • One reference letter 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)

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 supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions

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. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application then you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.

  • 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.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

September 2023

  • International & EU applicants: 26 July 2023
  • UK applicants: 17 August 2023
Apply now

Related programmes

Celtic & Gaelic

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