The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's ancient universities. The university has a long and rich history, and has produced many notable alumni in a variety of fields, including science, literature, and politics. Today, the University of Edinburgh is a leading research-intensive university, with a global reputation for academic excellence and a strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world.

One of the most attractive characteristics of this four-year programme is its flexibility.

In Years 1 and 2 your pre-honours years you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines in addition to your core subjects of Celtic and English Literature.

As well as broadening your education and skill set this may enable you to change the focus of your programme in Years 3 and 4 your honours years.

This not only gives you a broader education but may enable you to change the focus of your programme in your honours years (Years 3 and 4).

Year 1
Celtic
In Year 1 of your Celtic studies you can choose between studying the Gaelic language and Celtic Civilisation.

Language pathway
If you are taking the language pathway your course will be determined by how much Scottish Gaelic you already know.

If you have no previous knowledge you will gain confidence in written and spoken Scottish Gaelic by taking our Gaelic 1A course.

If you are an advanced speaker our Gaelic 1B course will deepen your experience of Scottish Gaelic literature and develop your language skills.

Civilisations pathway
The civilisations pathway (our Celtic Civilisation 1A and 1B courses) seeks to place the Celtic languages of the past and present into wider historical and contemporary context.

You will consider the impact of modern Celticness on how the past has been understood and will be introduced to Celtic Studies in the medieval and modern periods.

There is also the opportunity to combine the study of Celtic Civilisation with our basic language learning course Introduction to Gaelic Language and Culture.

English Literature
You will take two literary studies courses. These will introduce you to the essential skills needed for critical close reading of:

poetry
drama
prose
You will read works of literature written in English from around the world and encounter a range of ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study.

Option courses
You will complete your Year 1 studies with option courses chosen from a wide range offered by the University of Edinburgh.

You can for example opt to study a European Asian or Middle Eastern language. We offer one of the widest ranges of languages of any UK university. The majority are suitable for complete beginners and include cultural study.

Other options include but are not limited to courses in:

linguistics and language sciences
business economics and informatics
politics social policy and social anthropology
art and architectural history
history classics and archaeology
Scottish ethnology
philosophy divinity and law
Year 2
Celtic
You can choose between continuing to study the Gaelic language or studying Celtic Literatures.

If you are taking the language pathway you will refine your language skills as well as learning more about Scottish Gaelic’s literature culture and linguistic structure and exploring verse and prose.

If you are taking the literature pathway you will gain an overview of key literary genres and texts from Gaelic Scotland Ireland and Wales from the early medieval period to the present with texts presented in English translation.

English Literature
You will be introduced to the study of English literature in its cultural and historical contexts focusing on a selection of major periods.

These courses will explore the relationship between literary texts and the construction of national international and imperial cultures.

Option courses
As in Year 1 you will choose from a range of option courses.

Year 3
This is the first of your ‘honours’ years when you will specialise in the aspects of Celtic and English Literature which interest you most by choosing from a range of honours-level courses in both subjects.

Modern courses in Celtic explore literary cultural and historical aspects of Gaelic Scotland and Ireland (such as linguistics and sociolinguistics) from around 1600 to the present day.

Advanced language work in Gaelic is aimed at developing your high-level oral and writing skills.

Medieval courses in Celtic introduce the Early Irish and Medieval Welsh languages and develop your study of literature history and culture.

Courses in English Literature explore many different literary periods topics and approaches.

Year 4
You will choose further specialist courses and complete your dissertation.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class research-intensive university that has been shaping the minds of students for over four centuries. Founded in 1583, it is one of Scotland's ancient universities and the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university is located in the beautiful and historic city of Edinburgh, which is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and lively atmosphere.

The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, including arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, medicine, business, and law. The university has a strong reputation for academic excellence, and its graduates are known for their high level of education and employability. The university is home to some of the world's most respected research centers and institutes, including the Edinburgh College of Art, the Royal Observatory, and the Human Communication Research Centre.

Throughout its history, the University of Edinburgh has produced many notable alumni, including economist Adam Smith, philosopher David Hume, and Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's most famous writers. The university has also produced seven Nobel Prize winners, including Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, and Peter Higgs, who proposed the Higgs boson particle.

The University of Edinburgh is also known for its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is home to several leading research centers and institutes that specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and sustainable energy. The university also has a strong emphasis on student engagement, and it encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs and societies, and volunteer work.

The University of Edinburgh is a diverse and inclusive community, with students and staff from all over the world. The university provides students with a supportive and challenging environment, where they can develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields. The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world, making it an excellent choice for students who are looking for a high-quality education and a great student experience.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it