Gaelic BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

Discover more about Gaelic society and its origins whilst gaining a high level of fluency in the Gaelic language, on our lively BA (Hons) Gaelic course.

Join the only course offering an immersive degree programme in Scottish Gaelic, as you explore the past, present and future of the Gaelic language, based in the Gàidhealtachd itself, and entirely through the medium of the language. Take of advantage of this amazing opportunity to develop your spoken and written language skills, learning from the largest team of Gaelic lecturers in Scotland, based at the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig) and at UHI North, West and Hebrides, Stornoway campus. 

Explore themes including: the arts; contemporary and traditional literature; minority language issues; oral tradition; and the relationship of Gaelic to other languages, including Irish Gaelic. Draw on the teaching team's wide range of academic specialisms to enrich your learning and open yourself up to exceptional employment opportunities, at a time when the skills of Gaelic graduates are in higher demand than can be satisfied. Move into your future career path understanding on a deeper level the distinctive contribution Gaelic culture has made to Scotland and the wider world, and fully equipped to be an active part of its future.

Special features

• Campuses in stunning locations in Skye and Lewis with affordable accomodation on site, surrounded by vibrant Gaelic-speaking communities
• Choose to study fully online from home for a more flexible learning route that fits in with your schedule
• Enjoy an immersive language year at level 7 to develop fluency for intermediate learners (on site, or part-time over two years by distance learning), with a separate pathway allowing fluent speakers to fully develop and build upon existing skills
• Option to spend a semester studying in Nova Scotia or Ireland at Honours level
• Undertake a workplace module to gain real-time experience of Gaelic-related employment

Entry requirements

• 3 Scottish Highers at grades BBC or above, including Gaelic (learners) or Gàidhlig (fluent speakers) at grade B or above OR
• 2 A levels at grade BC or above PLUS
• 2 Standard Grade passes or equivalent
• Students who don't hold a Higher or Standard grade pass in Gaelic will be assessed individually to ensure you are able to engage with the course materials and teaching
• You will be invited to attend an informal interview, either on-campus or virtually, to decide which level 7 pathway is most suitable and to see if any additional support could help prepare for entry
• Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
• This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Advanced entry

Entry to year 2 may be possible with:

• CertHE An Cùrsa Adhartais (CertHE An Cùrsa Adhartais (English))
• CertHE An Cùrsa Comais (CertHE An Cùrsa Comais (English))
• CertHE Gàidhlig agus Conaltradh (CertHE Gaelic and Communication)
• an equivalent qualification or evidence of prior learning

Entry to year 3: 

• in exceptional circumstances students may transfer into year three with equivalent prior learning

Access routes

• An Cùrsa Inntrigidh

Year 1 - CertHE

The first year of the programme is primarily a language foundation year. Depending on your linguistic ability on entry, you will study one of the following pathways:

• CertHE An Cùrsa Comais (pathway for intermediate learners): 
  • Communication A
  • Communication B
  • Formal and professional language
  • Gaelic workplace experience
  • The Gaelic world 1
• CertHE An Cùrsa Adhartais (pathway for intermediate distance learners): 
  • Cùrsa adhartais 1-6
  • The Gaelic world 1
• CertHE Gaelic and Communication (pathway for fluent speakers): 
  • Culture of the Gaels
  • Gaelic 1
  • Gaelic literature:  critical skills
  • The Gaelic world 1

Students on the Cùrsa Comais or Gaelic and Communication paths will also study 1 of the following optional modules:

• Language in the community
• Music performance and Gaelic song 1
• Preparing to teach 1

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Gaelic 2
• Language, culture and ethnicity

You will also study 4 of the following optional modules:

• Folklore
• Gaelic education in Scotland
• Gaelic poetry since 1900
• History of Gaelic music
• Music performance and Gaelic song 2
• Scottish onomastics
• The modern short story

Year 3 - BA

You will study the following core modules:

• Gaelic 3
• Research skills

You will also study 3 of the following optional modules:

• Challenges in rural and other communities
• Developing Gaelic communities: practical skills
• European philosophy
• Gaelic poetry 1600-1900
• History of written Gaelic
• Irish language
• Language policy and language planning
• Modern Gaelic prose literature
• Traditional Gaelic culture

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will study the following core modules:

• Dissertation (double credit)
• Translation skills

You will also study 3 of the following optional modules:

• Celtic belief systems
• Gaelic dialects
• Language policy in the workplace
• Special studies in Gaelic
• Successful, sustainable communities
• The Aos Dàna

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4^th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Students enrolled in Gaelic-medium teaching programmes at undergraduate and post-graduate level can apply to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for some additonal funding.