Gaelic Language and Culture BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

If you want to discover more about Gaelic society and its origins whilst gaining a high level of fluency in the Gaelic language, then this lively BA (Hons) Gaelic Language and Culture course is for you.

Themes include: the arts; contemporary and traditional literature; minority language issues; and oral tradition; you will also explore the relationship of Gaelic to other languages, including Irish Gaelic.

You’ll be taught in a supportive environment at UHI Outer Hebrides on the Isle of Lewis, or at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI on the Isle of Skye, by a dedicated team who will help you gain confidence in the spoken and written language, offering small classes and individual support where necessary.

Special features

• Become a confident, fluent speaker of Gaelic by immersion in the language, learning through Gaelic during your programme of study
• Learn about the cultural evolution of Gaelic
• Successful completion of the course will give you a recognised qualification for entry to teacher training
• You will undertake a three-week work placement in year 1
• You may choose to take part in an exchange programme to Canada or Ireland in your fourth year
• You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, preferably including Gaelic (learners) or Gàidhlig (fluent speakers) at grade B or above OR
• 2 A levels at grade BC or above
• You will be required to attend an interview (on campus or by phone) to determine which of the two parallel first-year programmes will be most appropriate to your Gaelic language skills
• Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
• This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage
• Applicants who can demonstrate both advanced fluency and excellent written Gaelic may qualify for advanced entry direct to the second year of the programme
• Please note: this course does not accept applications for deferred entry; if you wish to take a year out, for example, you must apply next year

Advanced entry 
Entry to year 2 may also be possible with:

• CertHE An Cùrsa Adhartais (CertHE An Cùrsa Adhartais (English))
• CertHE An Cùrsa Comais (CertHE An Cùrsa Comais (English))
• CertHE Gàidhlig agus Conaltradh (CertHE Gaelic and Communication)

Entry to year 3 may be possible with: 

• DipHE Gaelic and Related Studies

Access routes

• An Cùrsa Inntrigidh (Access to Gaelic programme) - a distance learning programme, enabling students with no previous knowledge of Gaelic to achieve the entry level

Year 1 - CertHE

Year 1:  Intensive language year; depending on level of ability on entry, you will follow either:

• An Cùrsa Comais (for intermediate learners)
• An Cùrsa Adhartais (distance learning equivalent) OR
• Gàidhlig agus Conaltradh (for more fluent speakers)

You will undertake a three-week Gaelic work placement.

Year 2 - DipHE

Subjects include:

• Gaelic language 2
• Modern short story
• Poetry since 1900
• Oral culture
• Scottish onomastics
• Gaelic scholars and voyagers
• The Gaelic world
• Language, culture and identity

Year 3 - BA

Subjects include:

• Gaelic language 3
• Modern Gaelic prose writing
• Irish language
• Traditional culture
• Gaelic poetry 1600-1900
• History of Gaelic language
• Creative writing

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

Subjects include:

• Gaelic dialects
• Translation Skills
• The Aos Dana
• Celtic belief systems
• Tradition in the 21st Century
• Opportunity to study in Nova Scotia or Ireland

You must also complete a dissertation.

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes.  Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4^th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.