Gaelic Studies and German (5 yrs)

Gaelic Studies and German at Aberdeen is the ideal opportunity to combine in-depth study of the language, literature and culture of Scotland’s oldest language – as a native speaker or complete beginner – with the advantage of a major European language and its history and culture, opening up career opportunities in Scotland and internationally.

We have been teaching Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) and culture for a hundred years, led by teachers and researchers passionate about Gaelic and whose work directly influences Scottish policy on keeping Gaelic alive, healthy and important in Scotland today. You will learn more about Scotland's oldest living language, and develop your Gaelic skills in a friendly and supportive environment, with opportunities to get involved with northern Scotland’s Gaelic-interest community through clubs, activities, networks and organisations.

German at Aberdeen has an outstanding reputation with the highest possible rating of ‘Excellent’ in the last national Teaching Quality Assessment. You will develop your language skills, taught by native speakers from German and Austria, explore social, historical and cultural aspects of these countries and encounter the world of German artistic expression in the form of literature, film and art, together with a deeper understanding of Germany’s complex history. You will also have opportunities to practise your developing language skills informally through our German Society and Drama Group.

As an integral part of your 5-year programme, you will spend the whole of year three developing your language skills as a teaching assistant or visiting student in Germany or Austria.

You will graduate with German language skills to open opportunities in the UK and abroad in industry, politics, EU administration, local government and teaching. Opportunities for graduates fluent in Scottish Gaelic are also very good. Teaching, Gaelic development, arts management and librarianship are all career options and the commitment in Scotland to Gaelic broadcasting creates opportunities for Gaelic graduates to work in the media.

Course Modules

View all modules on the programme page to find out more about what you will be studying and when. University of Aberdeen modules are designed to give you breadth and depth to your degree. The range of modules you study will allow you to become proficient in all subjects which are directly relevant to your degree giving you greater career options.

The use of various forms of assessment and learning environments facilitates the development of generic transferable skills enhancing student employability.

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods: coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course; practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and written examinations at the end of each course. The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.