Gaelic with Development BA (Hons)

Information iconCourse code: Q540

Calendar iconStudy mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time.

Mortar board iconCourse type: BA (Hons)

Globe iconInternational: Available to study on-campus or online

Campus iconStudy at: North, West and Hebrides (Stornoway); Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

Pen iconStart in: January; September

Computer and book iconLearning mode: You attend classes in person at your local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally.

Clock iconDuration: Full time: 4 years; Part time: 8 years

Book and tick iconHow: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable., You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.

What is special about this course?

Do you want to play a part in securing the future of Gaelic language and culture in our society? Could you put your enthusiasm and skills to use, ensuring Gaelic is included and celebrated in our country and communities for generations to come?

Gaelic, like a huge proportion of the world's languages, faces an uncertain future. The importance of planning and development to maintain languages and culture within successful, sustainable  communities, often rural and peripheral, is increasingly recognised. Join our BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development, developed with awareness of these challenges and designed to equip you with  the skills needed to address them.

Learn about linguistic, economic, social, rural, community, and sustainable development, and their importance in determining the future of languages and cultures. Public bodies such as Bòrd na Gàidhlig and local authorities are legally required to develop language plans in collaboration with Gaelic advocates: learn to apply current theories of language decline and revitalisation to Gaelic in Scotland, and compare local situations with those in Europe and around the world, so that you can contribute to the discussion and become a fundamental part of the solution.

Special features

  • Excellent library resources
  • Teaching team with research specialisms in language maintenance and rural development
  • This is a specialist strand within the context of a Gaelic degree:
    • in years one and two, you will study general Gaelic topics (on the BA (Hons) Gaelic))
    • for the final two years of the programme, those who choose at least four specialist modules relating to development issues will pursue the Gaelic with Development pathway and qualify with a BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development

Entry requirements

To apply to this course, please see our BA (Hons) Gaelic.

Access routes

For CertHE entry, please apply to BA (Hons) Gaelic year one (level 7).

For DipHE entry, please apply to BA (Hons) Gaelic year two (level 8).

You will study the following core modules:

  • Gàidhlig 3
  • Poileasaidh agus planadh cànain
  • Sgilean rannsachaidh

You will also study 3 of the following optional modules:

  • Dùbhlain sna sgìrean dùthchail
  • A' leasachadh choimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig: sgilean pragtaigeach
  • Bàrdachd 1600-1900
  • Dualchas Gàidhlig
  • Eachdraidh a' chànain sgrìobhte
  • Gàidhlig na h-Èireann
  • Feallsnachd Eòrpach

You will study the following core modules:

  • Coimhearsnachdan soirbheachail seasmhach
  • Poileasaidh cànain san àite-obrach
  • Sgilean eadar-theangachaidh
  • Tràchdas Ceuma (double module)

You will also study 1 of the following optional modules:

  • An t-Aos Dàna
  • Na dualchainntean Gàidhlig
  • Sgrùdadh spèisealta
  • Tuigse nan Ceilteach

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • This course can be studied either on site or online
  • On-campus students will learn via face-to-face tuition plus online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
  • Online students will learn via a combination of video-conference lectures and tutorials, as well as online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors.
  • Level 7 is an intensive language year with a choice of intermediate or advanced pathways:
    • On-campus intermediate learners will follow CertHE An Cùrsa Comais
    • Online students will follow CertHE An Cùrsa Adhartais over two years
    • Fluent and advanced speakers will follow CertHE Gàidhlig agus Conaltradh on site
  • For level 8 onwards, you will take part in smaller classes which combine online students (joining by videoconference) and on-campus students, enabling both groups to meet and share. For larger classes, on-site and off-site groups are held separately

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 4 years @ 35 hours per week
  • Part-time (structured): up to 8 years @ 17 hours per week
  • Part-time (unstructured): There is no time limit for completion - students whose time commitments do not allow them to study more than say, one module per semester, will not be disadvantaged

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.

  • North, West and Hebrides - Stornoway campus
  • Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
  • This course can be studied online from anywhere in the world. If you are studying fully online, you should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, staff at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

Start date

  • September
  • January

Fees

For information on costs of this course please contact the campus where you wish to study.

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.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in:

  • Public bodies, local and national organisations with a responsibility for Gaelic language plans, etc and for economic development
  • Academia
  • Community organisations with a Gaelic focus
  • Community development

Can I progress into further study?

You may wish to progress from BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development to the following courses:

  • PGDE Foghlam bun-sgoile/ard-sgoile
  • MEd Foghlam Gàidhlig
  • DipHE Na meadhanan Gàidhlig
  • MSC Cultar dùthchasach agus eachdraidh na Gàidhealtachd
  • MRes Gàidhlig agus Ceiltis
  • PhD studies

Apply for Gaelic with Development BA (Hons)

Applications for this course are only accepted via our BA (Hons) Gaelic

Please visit the course page for further information.

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.