Celtic Studies / Gaelic

What do you come out with? Most places offer a BA, whilst Ulster also offers an MA and part-time diplomas. UHI offers a range of BAs and MAs as well as a one-year Gaelic and Communication certificate. Glasgow offers an MA.

Why do it? Professor Patrick Sims-Williams at the University of Aberystwyth says there are two main types of students: “Some are from Celtic countries and want to get deeper into their heritage and others just want to try something exotic.” Ulster emphasizes the practical value of Gaelic for teaching in Northern Ireland.

What's it about? At Ulster the emphasis is on 17th century language and literature, but some earlier medieval material is also covered. You can start from scratch and be at university standard within a year, with 16 contact hours a week. Cambridge offers a unique degree called Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Studies, where you look at the history, culture, languages and literature of the people who lived in Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia in the early middle ages. Aberystwyth offers a Celtic Studies BA where you study Irish, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Breton. Glasgow offers a Celtic MA where Scottish Gaelic is at the core. You can apply for this degree having never uttered a word of Gaelic. You can choose to study modern Scottish Gaelic or medieval Gaelic, which will include early and classical Gaelic literature and language. At the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) you can study Gaelic language and culture or combine Gaelic with media studies.

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How long is a degree? Three years at most places; four years at Aberystwyth (with a year abroad) and in Scotland; 2 years for the part-time diploma in Ulster

What are the students like? At Cambridge there are more women than men; the ratio is roughly 60:40. At UHI they find that students are predominantly Scottish and tend to be very musical.

How is it packaged? At Cambridge it is assessed mainly by exams, but students may produce dissertations in their second and third years. At Aberystwyth, UHI, Glasgow and Ulster it is about 50:50 exams and coursework.

How cool is it? Very, if you are into folk music or Lord of the Rings

What A-levels do you need? Most institutions, including Cambridge, are happy with either arts or sciences. Cambridge does like a modern or ancient language. Aberystwyth has a two-track course which accommodates beginners as well as Celtic speakers. Ulster requires B or higher in Irish at A-level. UHI want some sort of Gaelic qualification, but at Glasgow you can learn Gaelic from scratch without any prior qualifications.

What grades? A*AA at Cambridge; at Glasgow it’s ABB at A-level, or ABBB at one sitting or AABB at two sittings in Scottish highers; BCC (240 UCAS points) at Ulster; UHI asks for five exam passes, three at higher level, including Gaelic.

Will it keep you off the dole? Ulster claims the prospects for teaching in Irish are quite good at the many Irish-speaking schools in Northern Ireland. Aberystwyth and Glasgow have an 80 per cent graduate employment rate after six months. UHI says its graduates go onto careers in development organisations and cultural bodies.

Will you be interviewed? Normally at Ulster and Aberystwyth, always at Cambridge and UHI, not usually at Glasgow

What do students say? Gearóid Ó Domagáin, 25, BA Irish language and literature, University of Ulster “I always had an interest in the Irish Language. The course incorporates all areas of Irish Language, literature and history with special attention to the 'living language'. I really enjoyed the course because of the helpful lecturers and the sense of community among students. The course gave me the professional skills I need to pursue a career in the language.”

Where's best for teaching? Cambridge came top of the National Student Survey 2009, with a student satisfaction rating of 4.35, while Aberystwyth got a respectable 4.26.

Where's best for research? Cambridge again with 3.15 in the 2008 RAE, while Ulster came a close second with 3.10

Where's the cutting edge? Ulster has a multi-media digital language laboratory and is hot on blending digital learning with traditional methods. They also have a particular emphasis on modern Irish. Cambridge is strong on analysing primary sources and manuscripts very closely. UHI has a Gaelic and traditional music BA. Aberystwyth offers a one-year Erasmus scheme where Celtic speaking students can study abroad in Ireland and Brittany.

Who are the stars? Professors Seamus MacMathuna and Bertie O'Corrain at Ulster; Dr Paul Russell and Dr Máire Ní Mhaonaigh at Cambridge; Professor Norman Gillies, Dr. Mark Wringe, and Dr. Gillian Munro at UHI; Professors Patrick Sims-Williams and Marged Haycock at Aberystwyth; Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh at Glasgow.