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Celtic and Scottish Literature at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course summary

Edinburgh is the first UNESCO World City of Literature. For centuries, it has been the home and muse of many great writers. Scotland's capital also has a long-established Gaelic community and a lively contemporary cultural scene. On this joint honours programme, you can study the literatures, languages and cultures of the Celtic world alongside the literature of Scotland in both English and Scots, drawing on Edinburgh's exceptional resources. You will also have the option to take courses in other areas of the humanities and social sciences. When you graduate, you will have the combination of a broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide. Celtic At all levels of study on our four-year programme, we offer courses in the languages, literatures, histories, and cultures of the Celtic world across major periods in history, from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. You have the option to study Scottish Gaelic and build up to advanced competency in the language. It does not matter if you are a complete beginner; we stream our Year 1 classes to suit all levels of prior knowledge or none. A choice of pathways through the programme enables you to develop your own interests in particular areas, periods and disciplines of Celtic studies. As well as the medieval literary tradition in Early Irish and Medieval Welsh, our expertise covers:

  • the rich oral tradition recorded from the 18th century onwards
  • poetry from the golden age of Gaelic literature
  • the writing, song and media production of contemporary Gaelic Scotland, Ireland, and Wales
  • sociolinguistics, language policy and revitalisation
Scottish Literature You will study in the oldest department of literature in the UK, one of the longest-established in the world. After gaining the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of poetry, drama and prose in your first year, you will explore the cultural contexts of all major periods of Scottish literature from the late Middle Ages to the present. At honours level, you will select courses on the basis of your own interests in specific topics, periods or literary genres. Studying literature with Celtic prepares you to contribute to a society in which an understanding of texts of all kinds is crucially important. It shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace. How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is studied over 4 years. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills. Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to your core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities and social sciences. Your final two years will be your honours years. They will be tailored to your interests in specific topics, periods, genres, or approaches to Celtic Studies and Scottish Literature. If you have chosen to study Scottish Gaelic, you'll progress to advanced language study in these years. Programme benefits
  • Study over four years, giving you choice and flexibility.
  • Learn in the heart of Scotland's capital city - a UNESCO World City of Literature.
  • Try out different subjects in your first two years.
  • Join societies related to what you are studying.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.
  • Try your hand at creative writing and publishing.


How to apply

This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

Application codes

Course code:
Q590
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

This degree programme has a subject requirement of a language other than English. You may not use your own native language to meet this requirement. 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://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/589-celtic-and-scottish-literature

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/589-celtic-and-scottish-literature


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.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.

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

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


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
66%
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

Channel Islands £9535* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535* Year 1
Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9535* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535* Year 1
Wales £9535* Year 1
EU £29600 Year 1
International £29600 Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535. For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits. 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
Celtic and Scottish Literature at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS