Celtic and Scottish History MA (Hons)
University of Edinburgh
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Different course options
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Qualification

Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)

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Location

Central area campus

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)

Location

Central area campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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History
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Linguistics
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Higher
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Location

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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Channel Islands
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EU
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Course info

Uncover Scotlands past and help shape its future. This joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study the languages, literatures and cultures of the Celtic world side-by-side with the history of Scotland.**Celtic**Study Celtic at the University of Edinburgh and you will learn about extraordinarily rich cultures, from the Middle Ages to the 21st century.At all levels of study on our four-year programme, we offer courses in the languages, literatures, histories, and cultures of the ...Read more

Uncover Scotland's past and help shape its future. This joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study the languages, literatures and cultures of the Celtic world side-by-side with the history of Scotland.


Celtic

Study Celtic at the University of Edinburgh and you will learn about extraordinarily rich cultures, from the Middle Ages to the 21st century.At all levels of study on our four-year programme, we offer courses in the languages, literatures, histories, and cultures of the Celtic world.You have the option to study Scottish Gaelic and build up to advanced competency in the language.A choice of pathways through the programme enables you to develop your own interests in particular areas, periods and disciplines of Celtic studies.Our expertise covers:* Scottish Gaelic from the late Middle Ages to the present, including language policy and revitalisation * the medieval literary tradition in Early Irish and Medieval Welsh - the most extensive in the whole of Europe * the rich oral tradition recorded from the 18th century to the present day * poetry from the 18th century golden age of Gaelic literature * 19th and 20th century responses to the rapid social, cultural, and linguistic changes in countries where the Celtic languages are spoken * the writing, song, and media production emerging from the lively and varied contemporary cultural scene in Gaelic Scotland, Ireland, and Wales


Language study

If you choose to study Scottish Gaelic, 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.You can also learn a medieval Celtic language at honours level (Years 3 and 4). Both Old Irish and Middle Welsh are available. For this path, you will study Celtic civilisation and literature in Years 1 and 2, with texts presented in English translation.


Scottish History

We offer unrivalled expertise in Scottish History, with courses covering the political, intellectual, economic, social and cultural history of Scotland from the medieval period to the recent past.These courses deal with the great events, movements and ideas that have defined the Scottish past, and with the individuals, communities and institutions that have shaped Scottish life.Particular emphasis is given to:* the history of Edinburgh * Scotland's evolving relationship with the other parts of the British Isles * the significant influence of Scots across the wider worldOn this programme, you will benefit from the rich archival resources available not only within the University but also in the great collections based in the city, including the:* National Library of Scotland * National Records of Scotland * National Galleries of Scotland* National Museums of Scotland


Why Edinburgh?

Founded in the early 12th century, Edinburgh has a long and rich history. Today, it has a well-established Gaelic community and a lively contemporary cultural Celtic scene.As Scotland's capital city, its collections are outstanding, as are the University's own resources for the study of Celtic and Scottish History.Our programme is extremely flexible. In Years 1 and 2, in addition to Celtic and Scottish History, you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines. You will then specialise as you progress through your honours years.When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.

Key stats

History
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
17th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
15th
Celtic Studies (Non-Specific)
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 93 = 7% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
7%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
87%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Celtic Studies (Non-Specific) graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK Celtic Studies (Non-Specific) graduate salary
£19,000
History
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 95 = 5% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
5%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
84%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
History graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK History graduate salary
£20,000

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Modules (Year 4)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

ABB Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

ABBB Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 Grades / Points required

ABB. Required subjects: A levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4 and a language other than English at B or 6.

ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C and a language other than English at B.

34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5 and a language other than English at 5.

Popular A-level subjects

History

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

History
64%
English Literature
41%
Mathematics
19%
Art & Design
15%
Psychology
15%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£1,820 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£28,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£28,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£28000 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Uni info

University of Edinburgh
George Square Edinburgh Edinburgh, City Of EH8 9JZ United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Edinburgh Waverley  0.3 miles away
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