Gaelic

In year 1 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. You will 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 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 year 1, 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.

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 other subjects in years 1 and 2: see Degrees in Arts, Life Sciences, Science and Social Sciences.

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4), you will concentrate on modern Scottish Gaelic language and literature, while 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. You will also write a dissertation, researching a relevant topic of your own choosing.

In your Honours years you will have the opportunity to spend a semester studying Irish at the National University of Ireland, Galway.