Celtic Studies

Explore the rich and diverse cultures of the Celtic world. Through this course, you will gain a full understanding of the Celtic life, Celtic literature, and Celtic religion that shaped ancient and modern societies across Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, and beyond. With a focus on both historical and modern perspectives, the course allows you to engage with the heritage of Celtic regions and appreciate the deep cultural ties that connect these areas.

The programme is designed to be accessible to students of all backgrounds, with options to either learn Welsh from scratch or improve your Welsh language skills. This focus on the Welsh language and other Celtic languages provides valuable insight into the cultural and social significance of these languages, both in the past and today. By learning or advancing your skills in Welsh, you will also enhance your future employment skills, giving you an advantage in sectors such as education, heritage, and public services.

Throughout the course, you will study a range of topics from the ancient Celts to modern-day Celtic societies. You will explore how Celtic culture has evolved, looking at its impact on European history and society. Through the history of Celtic regions, you will examine key cultural developments and how these shaped life across Wales, Ireland, and Cornwall.

The course encourages you to engage deeply with the subject through the study of literary texts and critical examination of both primary and secondary sources. You will develop essential research skills, using a range of theories and methodologies to analyse historical events, cultural shifts, and important works of literature. This critical analysis will prepare you for a range of careers or further academic study, as you will gain a strong foundation in subject-specific and transferable skills.

Whether you are passionate about the Celtic heritage, interested in language, or keen to explore Celtic literature, this course provides a comprehensive and engaging experience. As a graduate, you will be well-prepared to pursue a career or further study, with a deep appreciation for the history, culture, and significance of the Celtic world.

Modules

In the first year, you will gain a foundational understanding of Celtic life, history, and Celtic culture across Wales, Ireland, and Cornwall. You’ll be introduced to Celtic languages and literature, learning key research methods while beginning your Welsh language studies or improving existing skills. This year focuses on developing essential study skills and critical thinking.

Academic Skills (20 credits)
An Introduction to the Celtic Languages (20 credits)
The Early Celts (20 credits)
An Introduction to Celtic Literatures (20 credits)
Introduction to Celtic Art (20 credits)
Welsh Language Skills 1 (20 credits)

Year 2
Building on your first-year knowledge, you will explore more specialised topics such as Celtic religion, the heritage of Celtic regions, and key literary texts from the ancient Celts to the modern era. You will deepen your critical analysis skills, engage with primary and secondary sources, and continue advancing your proficiency in the Welsh language.

The Celts through the eyes of the Greeks and the Romans (20 credits)
The Irish Question 1886-1998: from Charles Parnell to the Good Friday Agreement
Medieval Prose in Wales (20 credits)
Representations of Brittany (20 credits)
Welsh and Celtic Place-Names (20 credits)
Welsh Language Skills 2 (20 credits)
Welsh Medieval Praise Poetry (20 credits)
Celtic Sanctity and Spirituality: Hagiography and Saints' Cults (20 credits)
Roman Britain (20 credits)
True Brits (20 credits)
Cornwall without Cornish (20 credits)
Gwlad, gwlad: Aspects of Welsh History 1200 to the present (20 credits)

Optional

From Desert Myths to Sheep Tales: The Cistercians in the Middle Ages (20 credits)
International Mobility Opportunity (60 Credits)

In the final year, you will focus on independent research, completing a dissertation on a topic of your choice. You will explore advanced themes in Celtic literature, history, and culture, applying complex theories and methodologies. This year prepares you for the workplace or further study by refining your academic and transferable skills.

Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional

Celtic Sanctity and Spirituality: Hagiography and Saints' Cults (20 credits)
Welsh Medieval Praise Poetry (20 credits)
Roman Britain (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)
Representations of Brittany (20 credits)
Welsh and Celtic Place-Names (20 credits)
Welsh Language Skills 2 (20 credits)

https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/programme-courses/undergraduate/history-and-archaeology/celtic-studies-full-time-distance-learning

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.