Gaelic

Discover more about Gaelic society and its origins whilst gaining a high level of fluency in the Gaelic language, on our lively BA (Hons) Gaelic course.

Join the only course offering an immersive degree programme in Scottish Gaelic, with the option to pursue a BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development from year 3. Explore the past, present and future of the Gaelic language, based in the Gàidhealtachd itself, and entirely through the medium of the language. Take of advantage of this amazing opportunity to develop your spoken and written language skills, learning from the largest team of Gaelic lecturers in Scotland, based at the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig) and at UHI North, West and Hebrides, Stornoway campus.

Explore themes including: the arts; contemporary and traditional literature; minority language issues; oral tradition; and the relationship of Gaelic to other languages, including Irish Gaelic. Draw on the teaching team's wide range of academic specialisms to enrich your learning and open yourself up to exceptional employment opportunities, at a time when the skills of Gaelic graduates are in higher demand than can be satisfied. Move into your future career path understanding on a deeper level the distinctive contribution Gaelic culture has made to Scotland and the wider world, and fully equipped to be an active part of its future.

Module outline

Year 1 - CertHE

The first year of the programme is primarily a language foundation year. Depending on your linguistic ability on entry, you will study one of the following pathways:

• CertHE An Cùrsa Comais (pathway for intermediate learners):

  • Communication A

  • Communication B

  • Formal and professional language

  • Gaelic workplace experience

  • The Gaelic world 1

• CertHE An Cùrsa Adhartais (pathway for intermediate distance learners):

  • Cùrsa adhartais 1-6

  • The Gaelic world 1

• CertHE Gaelic and Communication (pathway for fluent speakers):

  • Culture of the Gaels

  • Gaelic 1

  • Gaelic literature:  critical skills

  • The Gaelic world 1

Students on the Cùrsa Comais or Gaelic and Communication paths will also study 1 of the following optional modules:

• Language in the community

• Music performance and Gaelic song 1

• Preparing to teach 1

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Gaelic 2

• Language, culture and ethnicity

You will also study 4 of the following optional modules:

• Folklore

• Gaelic education in Scotland

• Gaelic poetry since 1900

• History of Gaelic music

• Music performance and Gaelic song 2

• Scottish onomastics

• The modern short story

Year 3 - BA

You will study the following core modules:

• Gaelic 3

• Research skills

You will also study 3 of the following optional modules:

• Challenges in rural and other communities*

• Developing Gaelic communities: practical skills*

• Gaelic poetry 1600-1900

• History of written Gaelic

• Irish language

• Language policy and language planning**

• Modern Gaelic prose literature

• Traditional Gaelic culture

If you wish to graduate with a BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development, you must take a total of four Development-related modules over the course of the BA and BA (Hons) levels.

*Optional modules that count as credit towards Gaelic with Development pathway
**Core for Gaelic with Development pathway

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will study the following core modules:

• Dissertation (double credit)

• Translation skills

You will also study 3 of the following optional modules:

• Celtic belief systems

• Gaelic dialects

• Language policy in the workplace*

• Special studies in Gaelic**

• Successful, sustainable communities*

• The Aos Dàna

If you wish to graduate with a BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development, you must take a total of four Development-related modules over the course of the BA and BA (Hons) levels.

*These modules count as credit towards  BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development
**The topic for the Special studies in Gaelic module changes each year. In years when it is a Development-related topic, this will count as credit towards BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development

This outline reflects the modules as currently delivered and is subject to change.