Program Overview

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Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and History, MA

Introduction

Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and History at Aberdeen adds to your exploration of the lives and legacy of the Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Scandinavian peoples within a broad study of human activity. Aberdeen is steeped in 500 years of history, with fabulous collections of historic treasures and you will gain the transferable skills to open up a wide spectrum of career opportunities.

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: 5V1Q

Aberdeen has been a centre for Celtic studies for more than a century and leads research 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.

We have particular strengths in Scottish, Irish and Scandinavian history – adding tremendous value to this degree combination. We also have research centres studying the history of global empires and the history of science, technology and medicine and fabulous historic treasures from every period in our award-winning library and special collections centre.

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, media 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

In the first and second year, our students undertake broad, introductory courses which include small-group tutorial discussions.

At honours level, courses are focused on more specialised themes and students give seminar presentations on assigned topics. The degree culminates in the writing of a dissertation, in which the student undertakes a substantial research project on a subject of his/her own choice.

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Barbarians, Romans, Gods and Warriors (CE1033)
  • Ancient Empires: Religion, Power and Politics (DR152A)
  • Making History (HI1027)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select AT LEAST TWO of the following courses:
    • Modern Irish Language for Beginners 1 (CE1036)
    • Modern Irish Language for Beginners 2 (CE1536)
    • Gaelic Scotland (GH1015)
    • Gaelic for Beginners A (GH1007)
    • Gaelic for Beginners 1B (GH1507)
    • Latin 1 (LT1009)
    • Latin 2 (LT1507)

Year 2

• Optional Courses:
  • Select AT LEAST TWO of the following courses:
    • Love, Loss and Revival: Gaelic Ireland, 1700 to the Present (CE2063)
    • Otherworld: Lost Gods and Hidden Monsters of Medieval Scotland (GH2010)
    • The Celts, their Neighbours and the Classical World (CE2536)
    • Ancient Empires: Religion, Power and Politics (DR250A)
    • Scottish Folklore and Oral Traditions (EF2501)
    • Triumph and Tragedy: A Literary and Historic Tour of Gaelic Scotland (GH2515)
    • Vikings: An Introduction (HI2526)

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Thinking History (HI356J)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select 60 credit points of level 3 Celtic & Anglo-Saxon courses from the list below.
    • Scottish Archaeology (AY3009)
    • Celtic Scotland: Gaelic Cultural Moments Middle Ages to Present (CE301E)
    • Introduction to Old English Language (CE3047)
    • Myths, Legends and Poetry of the Mediaeval Gaels (GH3028)
    • Decolonial England: Languages and Identities from 450 to the Present (CE351D)
    • Independent Study in Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies A (CE3099/3599)

Year 4

• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE of the following dissertation options:
    • Dissertation in Celtic & Anglo Saxon Studies (CE4598) AND History in Practice II (HI4518)
    • Dissertation in History (HI4516)
  • Select ONE special subject course from the options provided below.
    • Special Sub: Enlightenment Compared: Ireland, Scotland, Central Europe (HI4003)
    • Special Sub.: Britain and Revolutionary Russia (HI4012)
    • Special Sub: the Child as Subject in the British World (HI401F)
    • Spec Sub: Court Society in Late Medieval Europe (C. 1300 – C. 1500) (HI401G)
    • Special Sub:european Constitutional Monarchies in the Long 19thcentury (HI4023)
    • Special Subject: History of the Israeli Palestinian Conflict (HI4025)
    • Special Subject: Myths of the North (HI4026)

How You'll Study

Our staff have a wealth of teaching experience gained from universities across the world. We use a range of teaching styles, including introductory lectures, small-group tutorial discussions, student seminar presentations and intensive language classes. Students are provided with regular feedback on their progress.

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

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

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and History?

• The Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies programme at Aberdeen is unique in Scotland and emphasises critical thinking and small-group discussion.
• Students gain not only an in-depth knowledge of history, literature and languages, but transferable skills which will enhance their employability.
• The academic staff are leading interdisciplinary researchers who have published books and articles in a wide variety of fields including Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Scandinavian literature and history.
• Our diverse courses are designed to engage students through lectures, tutorials and seminar presentations.
• Many of our students are members of the 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.

Career Opportunities

• Junior Lecturer
• Museum Officer
• Outreach and Community Engagement Officer

Our Experts

• Dr Aideen O'Leary

Facilities

• Sir Duncan Rice Library
• Centre for Scandinavian Studies
• Celtic Society

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.