MA Celtic and Archaeology
About this course
MA (Hons) in Celtic and Archaeology, a Celtic and Archaeology degree examining regional heritage, languages, and material remains. Core topics include Human Behaviour. Students choose between a Scottish Gaelic language pathway and a Celtic civilisation pathway during the initial stages of study. The first year covers multiple broad subject areas such as Scottish Gaelic language pathway, Celtic civilisation pathway, Celtic Civilisation 1A: Barbarians, Saints and Scholars, and Celtic Civilisation 1B: Domination, Dislocation and Defiance. The second year focuses on specific material and historical periods through modules including Heroes, Wonders, Saints and Sagas - covers medieval Welsh and Irish material, and Songs, Swords, Rebels and Revivals - looks at texts from Gaelic Scotland and Early Modern and Modern Ireland.
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: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
See the highest paying Languages & English degrees in the UK →
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 75%: 9 offers from 12 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 26 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 76%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 77%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 15 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- London: 15%
- Scotland: 75%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 65%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 15%
Modules
- Scottish Gaelic language pathway
- Celtic civilisation pathway
- Celtic Civilisation 1A: Barbarians, Saints and Scholars
- Celtic Civilisation 1B: Domination, Dislocation and Defiance
- Scottish ethnology
- linguistics and English language
- European languages and cultures
- Asian studies
- Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history and classics
- philosophy, divinity and law
- Heroes, Wonders, Saints and Sagas - covers medieval Welsh and Irish material
- Songs, Swords, Rebels and Revivals - looks at texts from Gaelic Scotland and Early Modern and Modern Ireland
- the recolonisation of Scotland after the last ice age
- the world heritage sites in the 'heart' of Scotland (such as Neolithic Orkney)
- the ways the environment shapes human behaviour
- the lasting impact activities like farming had on the Scottish landscape
- the Roman advances into Scotland
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Celtic and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £19,000 after 3 years, £23,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £29,000. The £23,000 median after five years is £5,000 less than the UK median for Celtic studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Celtic and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Celtic and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 177 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Celtic and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
75% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 9 offers from 12 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Celtic and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Celtic and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.