Theology & Religious Studies/Gaelic
Theology and religious studies combined with Gaelic is a degree that connects the study of religious thought and tradition with one of the oldest living languages of the British Isles and the cultural heritage it carries. At the University of Glasgow, this part-time MA programme includes a year abroad, reflecting the international scope of both theology and the Gaelic diaspora. As the current programme description notes, theology and religious studies encompasses religion, the Bible, and theology not as worlds apart but as they relate to politics, history, literature, philosophy, art, and culture, as well as to personal belief and practice.
The theology and religious studies strand develops your understanding of the major world religions, biblical studies, the history of Christian thought, philosophy of religion, and the ethical dimensions of religious belief and practice. Glasgow's strong research tradition in theology and religious studies brings a range of methodological approaches to these questions, from historical and textual methods to sociological and philosophical perspectives. The Gaelic strand develops your proficiency in Scottish Gaelic alongside engagement with the literature, oral tradition, and cultural heritage of Gaelic-speaking communities in Scotland and the wider diaspora.
Gaelic carries a living tradition of poetry, song, storytelling, and religious life that connects directly to the theological dimension of the degree, particularly in the context of Scottish Highland church history and practice.
Graduates of this combination move into careers in religious organisations, ministry, chaplaincy, teaching, heritage and cultural organisations connected to Gaelic culture and language, community development in Gaelic-speaking communities, broadcasting and media with a Gaelic dimension, and academic research. Gaelic is a language actively supported by Scottish government policy, and there is consistent demand for professionals with Gaelic language skills across education, the media, and public sector organisations in Scotland. The year abroad provides an opportunity to experience a Gaelic-speaking community or a theological context outside Scotland.
Some graduates go on to postgraduate study in theology, religious studies, or Gaelic and Celtic studies.