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Scottish Ethnology and Celtic at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Course summary

This joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study the languages, literatures and cultures of Scotland alongside the wider Celtic world, past and present. A highlight of the programme is the chance to work with the rich range of materials in the School of Scottish Studies Archives. These include thousands of recordings in Scots, Gaelic, English, and dialects now extinct. As well as our fantastic teaching staff, you will benefit from the expertise of our Traditional Artist and Gaelic Writer in Residence. Scottish Ethnology Ethnology is the study of the culture and traditions of developed societies, sometimes described as the intersection where history and anthropology meet. While ethnology is commonly offered in universities across Europe, this is the only full undergraduate programme of its kind in the UK. Focusing on Scotland, but also looking at comparative material from elsewhere, you will study the varying ways in which a modern European nation expresses itself culturally. The programme explores questions like:

  • how do customs, beliefs, social organisation, language, and music help create and shape identity in the modern world?
  • how do we use and make sense of the past from within our present?
  • how can this understanding help us to shape our future?
Follow in the footsteps of fieldworkers In the School of Scottish Studies Archives, you will explore the work of former staff and students. Since 1951, they have been capturing elements of life in Scotland's farming and fishing communities, towns and cities. Today, the Archives include:
  • 33,000 recordings of songs, music, stories, rhyme and verse in various languages and dialects
  • thousands of photographs and rarely seen historic documents which capture exceptional and everyday aspects of Scottish culture and heritage
Celtic Study Celtic at the University of Edinburgh and you will learn about cultures from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. At all levels of study on our four-year programme, we offer courses in the languages, literatures, histories, and cultures of the Celtic world. This enables you to build your programme by developing your own interests. You have the option to study Scottish Gaelic and build up to advanced competency in the language. This gives you the skills to directly engage with primary sources and develop a deeper understanding of Scottish literature and culture. It does not matter if you are a complete beginner in Scottish Gaelic; we stream our Year 1 classes to suit all levels of prior knowledge or none. At honours level, you can also learn a medieval Celtic language - Old Irish or Middle Welsh. Why Edinburgh Edinburgh has a long-established Gaelic community and a lively contemporary cultural scene. As Scotland's capital and festival city, its collections are outstanding, as are the University's own resources for the study of Celtic and Scottish Ethnology. National collections located close to the University's Central Area include the:
  • National Library of Scotland
  • National Museum of Scotland
  • National Records of Scotland
  • National Galleries of Scotland
  • Scottish Poetry Library
  • Scottish Storytelling Centre
From sessions in traditional bars, to Gaelic conversation groups for practicing, there is always something going on. Develop skills for a range of careers Our four-year programme is very flexible. In Years 1 and 2, in addition to your core courses, you will choose option courses from a broad list of disciplines. You can, for example, learn a European, Middle Eastern or East Asian language, or explore other world cultures. In each year of study, you will gain the practical and intellectual tools to handle and interpret traditional resources, modern media and digital data. Graduating in this programme shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
VQ95
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

For degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.ed.ac.uk/ug/VQ95

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course

https://www.ed.ac.uk/ug/VQ95

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5Total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL (iBT)92Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English AdvancedTotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English ProficiencyTotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.
PTE Academic65Total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies. For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher: SQA National 5 at C; SQA Standard Grade at 3; SQA Intermediate 1 at A; SQA Intermediate 2 at C; GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate Grade C or IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:

https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
71%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
84%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Scotland £1820 Year 1
EU £28000 Year 1
International £28000 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - Due to UK Government announcements in relation to RUK Undergraduate Fees the UoE UG RUK fee will be confirmed later in 2024. EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Scottish Ethnology and Celtic at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS