Undergraduate Celtic MA Hons programmes

Explore the languages, literatures, histories and cultures of the Celtic world, past and present. Specialise in the Scottish Gaelic language, or the medieval literary tradition. Choose from 11 programmes, including single and joint honours.

Why study Celtic in Edinburgh?

  • Learn in the heart of Scotland's capital city, a cultural treasure trove.
  • Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.
  • Specialise in different aspects of Celtic Studies as you move through your degree.
  • Choose from various pathways, including language learning and time abroad.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections at the University and in the city.
  • Join societies, attend events, and gain the skills and confidence for life after university.

Studying Celtic allowed me to better understand and appreciate Edinburgh; it provided a special experience to my time in Scotland and at the University. Even those modules that seem far removed, such as studying the Medieval Celtic languages (as I did), help students to understand the nuances and importance of the individual identities behind the Celtic nations.

Jessica Celtic and Scandinavian Studies MA (Hons), 2023

What you can study in 2026

Applications are now open for 2026 entry. You can apply to:

  • take a single honours degree in Celtic
  • take any of the following joint honours degree programmes...
Celtic and ArchaeologyScottish Ethnology and Celtic
Celtic and Scottish LiteratureCeltic and Scottish History
Celtic and FrenchCeltic and Scandinavian Studies
Celtic and English LiteratureCeltic and English Language
Celtic and LinguisticsLaw and Celtic*

* Please note that this degree combination does not have the same structure as all the others, though it is still a four-year degree.

There’s lots of information about our undergraduate Celtic programmes on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder. 

For example, for each programme combination, you can find out about:

  • the courses you will take each year
  • how you will be taught and assessed
  • the support we offer
  • entrance requirements
  • English language requirements
  • fees and funding opportunities
  • student societies and living in Edinburgh
  • career destinations 

If you’d like to study on any of our undergraduate programmes, you must apply through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. 

Skills and experience

Graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility. 

The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers include the ability to:

  • understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
  • manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
  • work independently and as part of a group

In addition to these qualities, graduating in Celtic indicates that you have a nuanced understanding of other cultures and societies and how they shape our world. This gives you the intercultural competence that is so valued by employers internationally.

Local and global opportunities

Thanks to an ever-broadening international reach, Celtic languages, literatures and cultures have a steady stream of enthusiastic new speakers and audiences.

In Scotland, developments such as the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, the creation of BBC Alba (the Gaelic digital television service), and the ongoing expansion of Gaelic-medium education have increased demand for highly-educated Gaelic speakers and specialists in Celtic culture. In some areas, there are more Gaelic-related jobs than there are people qualified to fill them.

Employment prospects are particularly high within:

  • education, outreach, advocacy and training
  • journalism, broadcasting and media
  • politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
  • publishing, culture, heritage and the arts

Read our interview with Isla Parker, the University's Gaelic and Community Relations Officer

Your transferable humanities skills will also set you apart in sectors such as:

  • business, finance, commerce and tech
  • communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
  • leisure, tourism and travel
  • research, development, consultancy and venture acceleration

Further study

The enhanced research skills that you develop on a four-year programme, particularly in your honours years, are valuable assets if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level. 

At the University of Edinburgh, we normally offer a Masters by Research programme in Celtic, and one in Scottish Ethnology.

Interdisciplinary taught masters programmes typically include:

  • Comparative Literature
  • Creative Writing
  • Film, Exhibition and Curation
  • Intermediality

There are also masters programmes in history, social anthropology, and many other disciplines in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Any of our masters degrees, whether research-based or taught, is a good foundation for a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.


QS World Rankings by Subject 2025

The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK and 10th in the world for the Arts & Humanities.

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings are based on research citations and the results of major global surveys of employers and academics.

They are International Ranking Expert Group (IREG) approved.

Graphic of a person with a phone and the words #3 in the UK World Top 15

Other ways to learn Scottish Gaelic at Edinburgh

If you take a different degree at the University of Edinburgh, you can still learn Scottish Gaelic with us!

Many undergraduate degrees at Edinburgh enable you to try different subjects in your first two years. If you are studying on one of these degrees, you can take Gaelic as an option course - sometimes known as an 'elective course' or 'outside subject'. There are Year 1 courses for complete beginners and students with prior experience. They both feed into Year 2 courses if you like Gaelic and want to progress further. It is also possible to take our Celtic Civilisation courses as options, or our popular half-year course - Introduction to Gaelic Language and Culture.

Discover a world of languages graphic

Through the Centre for Open Learning, you can also opt to pay to take Gaelic as a short Lifelong Learning course. These courses typically run three times a year for 10 weeks in the evening. 

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