Venues

Gilmorehill Campus

Content

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 in year 1 according to your interests: 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 one or two other subjects in year 2 according to your interests.

Years 3 and 4:
If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) you will have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of specific aspects of Celtic history, literatures and cultures, such as belief and culture in early medieval Ireland and Gaelic Scotland, Celtic place-names of Scotland, early Gaelic literature, Celtic art, medieval Welsh literature and Gaelic folklore.

You will 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.

Entry Requirements

2026 entry requirements

Standard entry: 5 Highers at AAAAB (by end S6 with min BBBB after S5) including English and a humanities subject at AA (AB or BA may be considered).

Entry to year 2 may be possible with 3 Advanced Highers at AAA in relevant subjects.

Widening access entry: 4 Highers at AABB or BBBB (by end S6) including English and a humanities subject. Completion of pre-entry programme is necessary.