Celtic and Archaeology

Uncover Scotland's past and help shape its future. This joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study Celtic languages, literatures and cultures alongside the archaeology of Scotland and the wider world.

Celtic

Study Celtic and learn about extraordinarily rich cultures, from the Middle Ages to the 21st century.

A choice of pathways through the programme enables you to develop your own interests in particular areas, periods and disciplines of Celtic studies.

Our expertise covers:

• Scottish Gaelic from the late Middle Ages to the present, including language policy and revitalisation

• the medieval literary tradition in Early Irish and Medieval Welsh

• the rich oral tradition recorded from the 18th century onwards

• poetry from the 18th-century golden age of Gaelic literature

• 19th and 20th-century responses to the social, cultural, and linguistic changes in countries where the Celtic languages are spoken

• the writing, song, and media production emerging from the lively and varied contemporary cultural scene in Gaelic Scotland, Ireland, and Wales

Language study

If you choose to study Scottish Gaelic, it does not matter if you are a complete beginner; we stream our Year 1 classes to suit all levels of prior knowledge or none.

You can also learn a medieval Celtic language in Years 3 and 4. Both Old Irish and Middle Welsh are available.

Archaeology

Your studies in archaeology will consider evidence for human action in the past and how it relates to challenges in the present. You will develop a range of skills in the interpretation of social and cultural change.

The programme also enables students to appreciate:

• the development and practice of archaeology

• the contested nature of objects and sites

• social relationships that arise around objects, sites and landscapes

Why Edinburgh

Founded in the early 12th century, Edinburgh has a long and rich history. Today, it has a well-established Gaelic community and a lively contemporary cultural Celtic scene. As Scotland's capital city, its collections are outstanding, as are the University's own resources for the study of Celtic and Archaeology.

Our programme includes option courses from a wide range of disciplines, taking you from generalist to specialist over the course of your studies.

When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education, transferable skills and in-depth knowledge valued by employers worldwide.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Your final two years will be your honours years. They will be tailored to your interests in archaeology and to specific topics, periods, or approaches to Celtic Studies. If you have chosen to study Scottish Gaelic, you'll progress to advanced language study in these years.

Programme benefits

• Study over four years, giving you choice and flexibility.

• Learn in the heart of Scotland's capital city.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Join societies related to what you are studying.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.