MA English and Gaelic Studies
About this course
MA in English and Gaelic Studies, an undergraduate degree focused on English literature, language and Scottish Gaelic culture. Core topics include Research Methods and Communication & Writing. Students may optionally undertake a period of study abroad during their degree. The first year introduces foundational themes through compulsory modules such as Academic Writing for Language & Literature, Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen, Gaelic Scotland and Acts of Reading, alongside optional language choices. The second year continues with modules including Encounters with Shakespeare, Otherworld: Lost Gods and Hidden Monsters of Medieval Scotland, and Triumph and Tragedy: A Literary and Historic Tour of Gaelic Scotland. The third year builds advanced skills with the compulsory module Gaelic Language A, while offering various optional literature courses spanning multiple historical periods and cultural movements. The final year centres on advanced language study through Gaelic Language B alongside optional independent research projects such as the English Dissertation and 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.
Entry requirements
A level: BBC IB: 32 points including 5, 5, 5 at HL. SL in English is also required. SQA Highers: BBBB. BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: DMM in related subjects. Note: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Subsidiary Diploma) achieved at Distinction level, is normally acceptable in lieu of one A Level at grade B.) GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes. Irish Leaving Certificate: Five subjects at Higher at H3.
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What students say
Based on about 58 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 99%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 5%
- 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: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 6%
- South East: 7%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 71%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 80%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
Modules
- Academic Writing for Language & Literature
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen
- Gaelic Scotland
- Acts of Reading
- Gaelic for Beginners 1a
- Gaelic for Beginners 1b
- Gaelic Language 1a
- Gaelic Language 1b
- Controversial Classics
- Rethinking Reading
- Encounters with Shakespeare
- 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
- The Tragedy of Knowledge
- Power, Empire and Equality
- Gaelic Language A
- Page and Stage: Renaissance Writings 1500 - 1640 (EL30CP)
- Knights, Virgins and Viragos: Chaucer and Medieval Writing (EL35DQ)
- Sympathy for the Devil: Scottish Short Stories (EL30QA)
- Romanticism (EL30XR)
- Britain and the Nineteenth - Century World (EL35SB)
- Fallen Women and Self - Made Men (EL35VC)
- Modernism: Make IT New (EL30FF)
- American Voices: Self and Society, 1850 - 1930 (EL30RD)
- Haunted Texts (EL35KN)
- Art and Atrocity: Representations of Violence and Trauma (EL35UT)
- Gaelic Language B
- English Dissertation
- Dissertation in Gaelic Studies
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA English and Gaelic Studies at University of Aberdeen earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £34,000. The £26,500 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for Literature in English.
What do graduates of MA English and Gaelic Studies at University of Aberdeen do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA English and Gaelic Studies at University of Aberdeen?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA English and Gaelic Studies at University of Aberdeen?
The typical offer is BBC at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 164 UCAS points.
Does MA English and Gaelic Studies at University of Aberdeen include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA English and Gaelic Studies at University of Aberdeen?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.