Celtic Studies and Medieval Studies

This is a unique distance-learning Joint Honours BA course, perfect for students who want to explore both British and European Medieval History. You will learn about important events and people from the Middle Ages, discovering how they influenced the world we live in now. You will also study Medieval Literature, exploring stories and poems that have been shared for hundreds of years.

This course brings together some of the world’s leading experts in these fascinating fields. It is designed to take you on a journey through the past, exploring stories and cultures that have shaped our world today.

Through this course you will gain a unique understanding Celtic History and culture. You will have the chance to learn about the ancient Celts and how their ways of life and beliefs are still part of our lives today. You can explore Welsh traditions and the Celtic language, and see how they are connected to Medieval Culture and Art.

The teaching in this programme is research-led, based on the latest findings and ideas from experts who are passionate about these subjects. Our lecturers are specialists in their fields, and they bring their knowledge and experience to the classroom.

You will study a variety of topics that cover change over time in informative survey modules. These modules provide a broad overview of important themes and events. You can also focus on more specific topics that interest you. This approach helps you understand how different pieces of history fit together, giving you a complete picture of the past.

As a student, you will have the freedom to learn in a way that suits you best. The distance-learning format allows you to study from anywhere, giving you the flexibility to balance your studies with other commitments. You will have access to a range of resources and support to help you succeed in your studies.

By the end of this course, you will have a deep understanding of the rich and complex history of the Medieval and Celtic world. You will have developed critical thinking skills and gained knowledge that can be used in many careers, such as education, heritage, and media. This programme not only opens doors to exciting opportunities but also helps you appreciate the past’s impact on our present and future.

Join us on this journey through history and culture and become part of a community that values learning and discovery. This degree provides an opportunity to explore, understand, and connect with the world in new and exciting ways.

In the first year, you will build foundational knowledge in Celtic literatures and languages, exploring the early Celtic world through art and history. Fascinating modules additional modules will introduce you to Medieval history, and you will also begin your studies into the Welsh language. You will gain critical academic skills essential for historical analysis.

Academic Skills (20 credits)
An Introduction to Celtic Literatures (20 credits)
Introduction to Celtic Art (20 credits)
Crusading in the Middle Ages (20 credits)
The Medieval World (20 credits)
An Introduction to the Celtic Languages (20 credits)
The Early Celts (20 credits)
Welsh Language Skills 1 (20 credits)

The second year deepens your understanding of Welsh Medieval prose and poetry, alongside the spirituality of Celtic hagiography. With a wide range of additional module choices, you could delve into themes such as identity and myth, place names, health, medicine and politics across the Celtic regions.

Celtic Sanctity and Spirituality: Hagiography and Saints’ Cults (20 credits)
Welsh Language Skills 2 (20 credits)
The Celts through the eyes of the Greeks and the Romans (20 credits)
Welsh Medieval Praise Poetry (20 credits)
True Brits (20 credits)
Cornwall without Cornish (20 credits)
Gwlad, gwlad: Aspects of Welsh History 1200 to the present (20 credits)
Identity and Myth: The Normans and their World (20 credits)
From Desert Myths to Sheep Tales: The Cistercians in the Middle Ages (20 credits)
Representations of Brittany (20 credits)
The Irish Question 1886-1998: from Charles Parnell to the Good Friday Agreement (20 credits)
Welsh and Celtic Place-Names (20 credits)
Cults, Cures and Canonisation: Saints in the Middle Ages
Medieval Britain from Edward the Confessor to Richard II, 1042 -1399 (20 credits)
Medieval Europe from Charlemagne to the Hundred Years War, 800 -1453 (20 credits)
Medicines and Miracles: Health, Illness, and Cure

In the final year, you will investigate Celtic perspectives through Greek and Roman sources and complete an in-depth dissertation. You will continue your study of Welsh and Celtic language and culture and explore cultural shifts seen across history from 1200 to today.

Celtic Sanctity and Spirituality: Hagiography and Saints' Cults (20 credits)
Welsh Medieval Praise Poetry (20 credits)
True Brits (20 credits)
From Desert Myths to Sheep Tales: The Cistercians in the Middle Ages (20 credits)
Cornwall without Cornish (20 credits)
The Irish Question 1886-1998: from Charles Parnell to the Good Friday Agreement
Gwlad, gwlad: Aspects of Welsh History 1200 to the present day (20 credits)
Medieval Prose in Wales (20 credits)
Welsh and Celtic Place-Names (20 credits)
Welsh Language Skills 2 (20 credits)
Identity and Myth: The Normans and their World (20 credits)
Cults, Cures and Canonisation: Saints in the Middle Ages
Medieval Britain from Edward the Confessor to Richard II, 1042 -1399 (20 credits)
Medieval Europe from Charlemagne to the Hundred Years War, 800 -1453 (20 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)
The Celts through the eyes of the Greeks and the Romans (20 credits)
Medicines and Miracles: Health, Illness, and Cure

The programme will include several of the following types of assessment:

essays of 1,000 to 4,000 words in length,
document analysis,
book/ journal reviews,
short reports and reflective journals,
time tests,
seen and unseen exams,
field journals,
posters,
group and individual presentations,
dissertations of 10,000 words,
wikis,
commentaries,
film evaluations.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS