Course summary

Gaelic Studies and Language & Linguistics at Aberdeen combines all the advantages of the of in-depth study of the language, literature and culture of Scotland’s oldest language – as a native speaker or complete beginner. The programme offers a fascinating exploration of how human language evolved, how we learn languages and how they differ and change over time. You will gain the all-round knowledge and skills to open up a wide variety of careers. We have been teaching Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) and culture for a hundred years, led by teachers and researchers passionate about Gaelic and whose work directly influences Scottish policy on keeping Gaelic alive, healthy and important in Scotland today. You will learn more about Scotland's oldest living language and develop your Gaelic skills in a friendly and supportive environment, with opportunities to get involved with northern Scotland’s Gaelic-interest community through clubs, activities, networks and organisations. Language & Linguistics takes you on a deeper exploration of language, analysing this fascinating human attribute to understand ourselves and human societies more fully. You will study how the brain processes speech and language, how we acquire languages as children and adults, how they vary and change over time, social factors and different dialects of English. Our understanding of language grows all the time with new discoveries in neuroscience, animal behaviour, archaeology, sociology and psychology, bringing new applications of linguistics in industry, medicine and forensic science. This subject combination will make you very attractive to employers, especially in media, advertising and marketing, information and communication technology, publishing, language teaching and health-related professions such as speech and language therapy.