Gaelic Media DipHE
Course code P390
What is special about this course?
If you aspire to a career within the Gaelic media industry, this dynamic DipHE Gaelic Media course will provide you with the experience and knowledge required for direct entry to the workplace.
The course is delivered at our Sabhal Mòr Ostaig campus on the Isle of Skye, and in conjunction with the broadcast and media industry in Scotland. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI has been successfully providing training in Gaelic media for over 20 years and you will gain real opportunities through their experienced and dedicated staff and strong industry links.
Throughout the course you will develop the necessary industry-specific knowledge and skills alongside the transferable skills sought after by employers. You will also be able to enhance your language skills both while studying and in the wider Gaelic community.
In year one, you will have the opportunity of a week’s work-based learning with a BBC Outside Broadcast Unit at The Royal National Mòd and will have regular input from industry practitioners across a range of modules. There will also be masterclasses from nationally and internationally recognised industry specialists in technical and communication skills.
During the second year, you will spend ten months on industry placement at various media companies and broadcasters and will learn and be assessed on the work you undertake during this time. These workplace opportunities will be supported by MG Alba* and an advisory panel consisting of various industry practitioners as well as representatives of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI.
*MG ALBA is regulated by Ofcom and its board is appointed by Ofcom, with the agreement of the Scottish Ministers. MG ALBA is the operating name of Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig (Gaelic Media Service).
Special features
- You will be taught and supported by highly experienced teaching and support staff
- You will benefit from the expertise and support of recognised industry specialists
- Specialised masterclasses
- Excellent technical facilities at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI on the Isle of Skye
- Completion of year two study through a ten-month work placement
Entry requirements
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, preferably including Gàidhlig (fluent speakers) or Gaelic (learners) at B or above
- 2 A levels at grade BC or above
- Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
- Applicants will be expected to demonstrate that they have a commitment to working in the industry and to have a certain level of fluency in both spoken and written Gàidhlig: this will be assessed during interview
- Please note: this course does not accept applications for deferred entry; if you wish to take a year out, for example, you must apply next year
Access routes
- Those who are not at the required level of fluency in Gaidhlig may gain entry to the course after successful completion of our An Cùrsa Comais CertHE
Year 1 - CertHE
You will study the following core modules:
- Communication skills for media (S1 and S2)
- Technical skills (S1 and S2)
- Editing (S1 and S2)
- Television research and production skills (S1 and S2)
- Radio production (S1)
- Journalism (S1 and S2)
Year 2 - DipHE
You will study the following core modules:
- Effective team working
- Enhancing interpersonal skills
- Professional practice (double credit)
- Skills for employment (double credit)
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
You will learn through a combination of face-to-face lectures, tutorials and practical work at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI on the Isle of Skye and during your work placements, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE) with support from your tutors.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 2 years @ 40 hrs per week
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Start date
- September
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.
DipHE |
2023-24 |
2024-25 |
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year |
£1,285 |
£1,285 |
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:
DipHE |
2023-24 |
2024-25 |
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year |
£7,110 |
£7,110 |
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.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
DipHE |
2023-24 |
2024-25 |
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year |
£7,980 |
£8,775 |
Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
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.
Those studying the 10-month work placement in year 2 will be awarded monthly bursaries from MG Alba.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course you will be able to pursue a career in the media industry such as in television and radio.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I enjoyed the course because they brought in people currently working in industry to teach us the skills that employers are looking for. We had intensive training from a renowned director, and by the end of it, every one of us had directed a 30 minute TV programme filled with a cookery segment, music and interviews. I currently work as a technical operator at the BBC in Inverness and manage all of the broadcast equipment for live TV and radio programmes. I would not have this role had it not been for the course and more specifically, the 10 month placement.
Stephen Mackinnon completed the DipHE Gaelic with Media at Sabhal Mor Ostaig UHI
The longer I was at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI and the more I learned, the more in love with Gaelic I became. If I hadn’t gone to the university there’s every chance I would no longer speak the language. I work as the Gaelic Development Officer for Young Scot and a big part of my current role is content creation and the media aspect of my degree definitely helped me get the position. I hope to work with young people to help raise the profile of Gaelic so they learn and engage with the language.
Ruairidh Hamilton graduated from the BA (Hons) Gaelic and Media Studies at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI in 2018
Apply for Gaelic Media DipHE
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.