MA Gaelic Studies and Sociology
About this course
MA in Gaelic Studies and Sociology, a humanities and social sciences degree centred on Scottish Gaelic language, literature, culture, and sociological analysis of modern societies. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Communication & Writing, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students have the option to undertake a year abroad as part of their studies. The first year introduces the fundamentals through Gaelic Scotland, Introduction to Sociology I: Self, Identity & Society, and Introduction to Sociology II: Systems of Power, with optional Gaelic language courses available for varying fluency levels. The second year continues with Triumph and Tragedy: A Literary and Historic Tour of Gaelic Scotland, Sociology of Everyday Life i: the Embodied Self, and Sociology of Everyday Life II: Global Issues in the 21st Century. In the third and fourth years, students advance their proficiency through Gaelic Language A and Gaelic Language B, alongside optional modules covering areas such as the sociology of religion, social research methods, global challenges, and social inequality. Final-year students can also undertake an independent research project or a dissertation in Gaelic studies or sociology.
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 84 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 79%
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 21 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- 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 130 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 8%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 70%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
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
- Introduction to Sociology I: Self, Identity & Society
- Introduction to Sociology II: Systems of Power
- Gaelic for Beginners 1a
- Gaelic for Beginners 1b
- Gaelic Language 1a
- Gaelic Language 1b
- Triumph and Tragedy: A Literary and Historic Tour of Gaelic Scotland
- Sociology of Everyday Life i: the Embodied Self
- Sociology of Everyday Life II: Global Issues in the 21st Century
- Gaelic for Advanced Beginners 2a
- Gaelic for Advanced Beginners 2b
- Gaelic Language 2a
- Gaelic Language 2b
- Gaelic Language A
- Thinking Sociologically
- Sociology of Religion
- Social Research Methods
- Ten Sociological Studies
- Gaelic Language B
- Research Project Part 1
- Research Project Part 2
- Dissertation in Gaelic Studies
- Roads, Mobility, Movement, Migration
- Global Challenges in an Ethnographic Perspective
- Gendered Approaches to Conflict and Society
- Comparative Constitutional Systems
- Emotion, Self and Society
- The Political Anthropology of Indigenous Rights
- More Than Human
- Extreme Right in Western Europe
- International Migration and Europe
- Understanding and Responding to Organised Crime
- Social Inequality
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Gaelic Studies and Sociology at University of Aberdeen earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £23,000 after 3 years, £28,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £34,500. The £28,500 median after five years is £2,000 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of MA Gaelic Studies and Sociology at University of Aberdeen do next?
85% 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 Sociology 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 Gaelic Studies and Sociology at University of Aberdeen?
The typical offer is BBC at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 163 UCAS points.
Does MA Gaelic Studies and Sociology 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 Sociology at University of Aberdeen?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.