Program Overview

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Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and English, MA

Introduction

Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and English at Aberdeen adds to a fascinating study of the lives and legacy of the Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Scandinavian peoples. In this programme, you will explore English language and literature through the ages and in all its glory, at a leading centre ranked second in the UK for the quality of our research. You will graduate with wide career options across the arts and skills transferable whichever direction you choose.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: 7Q5Q

Aberdeen has been a centre for Celtic studies for more than a century and is now a leading research centre in all aspects of the northern polar regions including its peoples. You will study literature, culture, history and languages, inspired by leading specialists in the history and literature of Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia in the Middle Ages, in medieval Celtic and Scandinavian literature, and the cultural history of Ireland and Anglo-Saxon England.

English gives you all the advantages of a highly-rated teaching, research and creative hub, where you will explore poetry and prose through the dynamic relationship between author, reader and literary text, study every period from Chaucer to contemporary English, Scottish, Irish, European and American writers and examine the cultural and critical impact of powerful and controversial modern works.

You will be inspired by enthusiastic teachers and researchers, themselves acclaimed authors and poets, and be encouraged to develop your own creative writing skills.

This subject combination gives you essential skills in critical thinking, core writing, research, communication and other attributes which will make you attractive to employers whatever your career choice. Our graduates work in a wide variety of areas in the arts and elsewhere, including heritage management, teaching, publishing, research, librarianship, enterprise and broadcasting.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Barbarians, Romans, Gods and Warriors (CE1033)
  • Magic, Mystery, Spells and Potions in the Ancient World (DR152C)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select AT LEAST TWO of the following:
    • The Rise of Christianity (DR1038)
    • Modern Irish Language for Beginners 1 (CE1036)
    • Gaelic Scotland (GH1015)
    • Gaelic for Beginners 1A (GH1007)
    • Latin 1 (LT1009)
    • Gaelic for Beginners 1B (GH1507)
    • Latin 2 (LT1507)
    • Modern Irish Language for Beginners 2 (CE1536)
  • PLUS:
    • Acts of Reading (EL1009)
  • AND:
    • Select ONE OR BOTH of the following:
      • Controversial Classics (EL1513)
      • Rethinking Reading (EL1536)

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Encounters with Shakespeare (EL2011)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select AT LEAST TWO of the following:
    • Vikings: An Introduction (HI2526)
    • Introduction to Scottish Gaelic Literature (GH2514)
    • Scottish Folklore and Oral Traditions (EF2501)
    • Magic, Mysteries, Spells and Potions in the Ancient World (DR252C)
    • The Celts, their Neighbours and the Classical World (CE2536)
    • The Rise of Christianity (DR201L)
    • Arthur in Medieval Celtic and Scandinavian Literature (CE2034)
  • PLUS:
    • The Tragedy of Knowledge (EL2512) OR Power, Empire and Equality (EL2518)
  • AND:
    • Select further courses of choice to make up 120 credit points.

Year 3

• Optional Courses:
  • Select 60 credit points of level 3 Celtic & Anglo-Saxon courses from the table of courses below.
  • PLUS:
    • Independent Study in Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies A (CE3599)
  • AND:
    • Two level 3 EL courses to be chosen from two of the groups below:
      • Medieval/Renaissance Literature
      • Romantic/Victorian Literature
      • Contemporary/Modern Literature

Year 4

• Optional Courses:
  • Choose ONE of the following:
    • Dissertation in Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies (CE4598)
    • English Dissertation (EL4502)
  • PLUS:
    • Further course(s) of Level 4 Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies from the table of courses below to gain 60 credits in the discipline.
  • AND:
    • Level 4 English courses to make up 60 credits in the discipline.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies you learn on the course.
• Written examinations at the end of each course.

Why Study Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and English?

• Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies is one of the most unique university programmes offered in Scotland.
• You will develop your critical thinking and analysis skills through the programme's strong focus on small-group discussion.
• In the process of gaining an in-depth knowledge of the history, literature and languages of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon culture, you will develop many transferable skills that will enhance your employability.
• You will be taught by leading researchers, recognised for their valuable contributions to published books and articles on a variety of topics including Celtic, Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian literature and history.
• Many of our students are members of the Celtic Society, one of the oldest student societies in the University.
• A large proportion of our Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies staff and postgraduate students are actively involved in research, so you will gain unique insights into the field.
• Throughout the programme, you will have the opportunity to study optional courses, enabling you to develop your knowledge and understanding of areas that particularly interest you.
• You will benefit from small class sizes and group discussion, meaning that you will have the opportunity to explore your thoughts and ideas with staff and students.
• Our programme covers all periods of English Literature, which includes Scottish, Irish and American writing, providing you with a holistic overview of the subject.
• You will also benefit from courses in creative writing with our prize-winning and published creative writing team.
• You will benefit from being taught by internationally recognised academics at the forefront of research in their field.
• At Aberdeen, our teaching is research-led, so you will have unique insights into the subject based on research carried out by staff and postgraduate students.
• The programme encompasses a range of teaching methods, from lectures and seminars to small-group tutorials and individual supervision.
• The critical thinking and analysis skills that you develop will enable you to work in a wide variety of careers.

Careers

Graduates gain essential skills, which include critical thinking, oral and written communication, task management and organised and disciplined working practices. These skills are among the Graduate Attributes which students are encouraged to develop during their time at the University and are crucial in a wide range of professional careers. Our graduates work in a wide variety of areas in the arts and elsewhere, including heritage management, teaching, research, librarianship, enterprise and broadcasting.

Career Opportunities

• Junior Lecturer
• Media Communications
• Museum Officer
• Researcher

Our Experts

Our courses in Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and English are taught by experts in their field. Your teachers will include, among others:

• Dr Aideen O'Leary

Facilities

Centre for Scandinavian Studies

Aberdeen has the largest concentration of experts on early Scandinavia in the British Isles.

Centre for the Novel

The Centre for the Novel is a interdisciplinary research centre which aim is to promote discussion about the theory and practice of the novel across a range of languages, historical periods and critical approaches.

Celtic Society

One of the oldest, most famous and liveliest student societies in the University. The Society organises social and cultural events, including Welsh and Irish themed evenings and traditional music sessions.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers:
  • Standard: AABB
  • Minimum: BBB
  • Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS:
  • Standard: BBB
  • Minimum: BBC
  • Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and Funding

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
• EU / International students: £20,800
• Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme.
• Home Students: £1,820

Scholarships and Funding

• UK Scholarship: Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding.
• Aberdeen Global Scholarship: The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.