Celtic Studies

Celtic Studies (as distinct from the degree programme in Celtic Civilisation) concentrates on the study of the history and culture of the Celtic-speaking peoples through the medium of texts written in ancient, medieval and modern varieties of Celtic.

Why Aberdeen?

These texts comprise ancient Celtic inscriptions carved during the pre-Roman and Roman periods, but above all a wide variety of poetry and prose attested in Britain and Ireland from the early Middle Ages onwards. The subject-matter ranges from early medieval imaginative recreations of the pre-Christian past right up to contemporary narrative and poetic reflections of political, social and philosophical issues.

Bound up with, and supplementary to, the study of the vernacular texts is the study of the archaeological record, of the writings of Greek and Roman authors and of the many different ways in which the ancient and medieval Celts have been looked at from the early modern period onwards. In all these ways, Celtic Studies offers a unique and fascinating approach to European cultural history.

• Enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff with a wealth of teaching experience 
• A wide range of courses 
• Geographical proximity to numerous sites of historical and archaeological interest

Programmes

You may also be interested in

Celtic Civilisation, Gaelic Studies

Study Abroad

Study abroad information

The opportunity to take Enhanced Study options as part of your degree and participate in co-curricular activities. See www.abdn.ac.uk/thedifference for more information.

Celtic Studies courses are available from third and fourth year. For first and second year, students will attend courses in Celtic Civilisation. In addition, they may also attend courses in Scottish Gaelic (highly recommended) which will equip them with a thorough grounding in one of the four modern Celtic languages with a continuous history from the Middle Ages. In view of the linguistic dimension of Celtic Studies, it is essential that students who have done no Scottish Gaelic in their first or second year attend the Celtic Civilisation course on The History of the Celtic Languages or show in some other appropriate way that they have acquired appropriate linguistic skills (e.g. first or second year Latin, Greek, Hebrew or other languages).

First Year

In first year, all students in Celtic Studies are given an introduction to the early history and culture of the Celtic peoples.

Second Year

Second year students are offered a range of courses focusing on particular facets of the medieval and modern history, literatures and cultures of the Celtic-speaking peoples. Topics covered from first and second year include Celtic Archaeology, Traditional Celtic Religion, Contacts with the Roman World, the spread of Christianity, and the Impact of Vikings. In the second semester of the second year there is a course on The History of the Celtic Languages for students taking Celtic Studies in their third and fourth years.

Third and Fourth Year (Honours)

From third and fourth year, students can learn both Irish and Welsh, concentrating on the medieval or modern forms of these languages. Breton, Manx and Cornish may be offered from time to time, and students who have done Scottish Gaelic in first and second year may broaden their knowledge of it and relate it to the other Celtic languages. In addition, there are relevant courses on the historical and cultural background of the medieval and modern Insular Celtic literatures offered in the degree programmes in Celtic Civilisation, History and History of Art.

Careers

Like the students in Celtic Civilisation, graduates in Celtic Studies will have received a thorough grounding in writing, research, computational and educational skills. They will leave the University with a thorough knowledge of the cultural, historical, archaeological and linguistic heritage of Britain, Ireland and continental Europe, which they may use in a wide variety of careers or in postgraduate research work.

Finding your direction

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success.  The Careers Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us – from first to final year – and beyond.

• More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen.
• More information on the Careers Service.
• More information on careers prospects and employability with a degree in Celtic Studies.

Entrance Requirements

SQA Highers - BBBB
A Levels - BBB
IB - 30 points, 15 points at HL
ILC - BBBB

For further details of entrance requirements click here

Please click on the links below to find out more information on funding in your area.

• Scotland and EU (Excluding England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• Rest of UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• International
• Scholarships

Related Links

• Scholarships
• Entrance Scholarships
• Funding Database
• England Wales and Northern Ireland Finance Guide