Gaelic and Related Studies

Gaelic and related studies is the academic exploration of the Scottish Gaelic language, its literature, oral traditions and cultural heritage, alongside the broader Celtic world of which it forms a part. Scottish Gaelic is one of the indigenous languages of the British Isles, with a continuous spoken and literary tradition stretching back over fifteen hundred years, and its study connects you to a rich cultural inheritance spanning poetry, song, folklore, history and the distinctive ways of life that Gaelic-speaking communities have maintained in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

At the University of the Highlands and Islands, studied part-time, you will develop your knowledge and, depending on your background, your competence in Scottish Gaelic alongside engagement with its literature, history and the cultural and social contexts that have shaped its development and its current position in Scottish society. UHI is uniquely placed as an institution embedded within Gaelic Scotland, with campuses and learning centres across the Highlands and Islands that bring you into direct contact with living Gaelic culture and community rather than engaging with it at a remove. The related studies dimension may encompass Celtic history, oral tradition, music, land and community, or comparative study of other Celtic languages and cultures, depending on the programme structure.

Graduates of Gaelic and related studies programmes work in Scottish Gaelic broadcasting and media, including BBC Alba and Gaelic radio, in education as Gaelic medium teachers and language promotion officers, in cultural and heritage organisations, in community development roles within Gaelic-speaking areas and in government and public sector roles related to language policy and revival. Translation, language teaching, archival and museum work are further destinations. Some graduates go on to postgraduate study in Celtic studies, linguistics, Scottish history or education, deepening their expertise or moving into research and academic careers.