MA Gaelic Studies and Music
About this course
MA in Gaelic Studies and Music, a joint honours degree exploring Scottish Gaelic language, literature, and culture alongside musicology, performance, and composition. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Communication & Writing. Students may optionally spend a year abroad as part of their studies. The first year introduces foundational themes through Gaelic Scotland, Introduction to Music Studies, Academic Writing for Language & Literature, and Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen. Second-year study advances language proficiencies and examines cultural contexts through modules like Otherworld: Lost Gods and Hidden Monsters of Medieval Scotland and Triumph and Tragedy: A Literary and Historic Tour of Gaelic Scotland. Third and fourth years focus on advanced language competence via Gaelic Language A and Gaelic Language B. Optional modules allow specialisation in areas such as film studies, ethnomusicology, and public health, while final-year students undertake a Dissertation in Music or a Dissertation in Gaelic Studies.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
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What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 15%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Secretarial and related occupations: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 40 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- London: 15%
- Scotland: 80%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 85%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
Modules
- Academic Writing for Language & Literature
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen
- Gaelic Scotland
- Introduction to Music Studies
- Gaelic for Beginners 1a
- Gaelic for Beginners 1b
- Gaelic Language 1a
- Gaelic Language 1b
- Performing and Composing 1
- Performing and Composing 2
- Writing About Music
- Digital Musicianship: Music Making in the Digital Age
- Otherworld: Lost Gods and Hidden Monsters of Medieval Scotland
- Triumph and Tragedy: A Literary and Historic Tour of Gaelic Scotland
- Gaelic for Advanced Beginners 2a
- Gaelic for Advanced Beginners 2b
- Gaelic Language 2a
- Gaelic Language 2b
- Introduction to Ethnomusicology
- Global Music History
- Gaelic Language A
- Film and Music
- Music, Health and Wellbeing (Public Engagement) (ME33PE)
- Eurovision: Media, Memory, Euphoria & Identities
- Gaelic Language B
- Dissertation in Music
- Dissertation in Gaelic Studies
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Gaelic Studies and Music at University of Aberdeen earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £21,000 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £35,000. The £26,500 median after five years is £2,000 more than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of MA Gaelic Studies and Music at University of Aberdeen do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Gaelic Studies and Music at University of Aberdeen?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Gaelic Studies and Music at University of Aberdeen?
The average entrant had 172 UCAS points.
Does MA Gaelic Studies and Music at University of Aberdeen include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Gaelic Studies and Music at University of Aberdeen?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.