Masters Degrees in Celtic Studies

The MA in Celtic Studies is a unique distance learning programme which offers students interested in Welsh and Celtic Studies the opportunity to study various aspects of the history, literature and cultural heritage of the Celtic regions in their own homes.

Course Overview

This multidisciplinary Master's degree allows students to study a wide variety of subjects in the following fields: early and late medieval history and literature, folklore, gender studies, the sociology of language, Arthurian literature, religion, spirituality and iconography.

In Part One students will be introduced to the study and research methodology skills required to undertake a postgraduate programme and they will complete modules on the history of the Celts and the legends of the Mabinogi. In addition to these three compulsory modules students will choose from one of the following pathways:
-Culture and society (Welsh Folk Life, the Sociology of the Welsh Language)
-Medieval (the Celtic Arthur, Women in the Middle Ages: sources from the Celtic regions)
-Sanctity and Spirituality (The Cult of Saints in Wales, Celtic Otherworlds – from the druids to the monastic voyage tale)

Students will then be allowed to take any other module from one of the above pathways or Beginners' Welsh (a total of six modules in all). In Part Two students are given the opportunity to research in detail a topic which has particularly appealed to them and write an extended dissertation. They will be allocated a supervisor to help guide them through their dissertations.

No previous knowledge of the Celtic languages is required for this programme, as students study texts in translation and the programme is taught through the medium of English. However, students may choose to study Welsh as part of the programme and it is also possible for students who are fluent in Welsh to study their modules entirely through the medium of Welsh (see MA Astudiaethau Celtaidd) or receive supervision and communication in Welsh, but opt to write their assignments in English.

Modules

-CYCS7020 Conceptualizing the Celts
-CYCS7015 Y Mabinogi
-CYCS7021 The Celtic Arthur and the Matter of Britain
-CYCS7005 Women in the Middle Ages
-CYCS7004 Welsh Folk Life
-CYCS7016 The Sociology of the Welsh Language
-CYCS7007 The Female Saints of Wales
-CYCS7019 Celtic Otherworlds
-CYCS7018 Welsh for Beginners

Key Features

If you would like to learn more about the history, literature, religion and cultural heritage of the Celtic regions, this course is ideal for you. You’ll be able to choose from a wide range of interesting topics and choose to specialise in a pathway that suits you. Since the course is a distance learning programme, you do not need to move to Lampeter and sacrifice your day job, as you can study from the comfort of your own home using our VLE (virtual learning environment) and the course content and reading material we provide.

We’ll guide you through some of the most important texts ever written in the Celtic languages and help you read critically. You’ll learn where to find the most important sources on the Celtic peoples, Arthurian literature, modern folklore, druids and Celtic saints and how to question the various versions of the past that have been put forward by historians, linguists, folklorists and archaeologists. You’ll gain research skills which will be a sound basis for further study, as well as a range of important skills which can be easily transferred to the workplace.

If you would like to work quickly, you can register on the programme on a full-time basis, but if you have a full-time job and family commitments, you can complete as few as two modules per year. This also allows you to spread the cost over a number of years and makes the course very affordable. If you are interested in learning one of the Celtic languages, you can choose to learn Welsh with us and you will be able to attend our intensive language residentials if this suits you.

We have students in America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium and Mongolia, as well as many in Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland. You do not have to come to Lampeter to follow this course, but you are always very welcome to come and meet your tutors. We also collaborate with the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies and some of our MA students are supervised by staff from the centre who also offer great expertise in Celtic Studies.

Assessment

The modules are assessed by a variety of assessment methods: 5,000-word essays, short assignments, linguistic exercises, reviews, reports and one 15,000-word dissertation.

Career Opportunities

This course is ideal for those who want to learn more about the history, literature and cultural heritage of Wales and the Celtic regions in order to improve their job prospects. Many of the students who undertake the course on a part-time basis are already in employment and wish to gain a postgraduate qualification as a possible means to promotion or change of job role. Former students include journalists, writers, storytellers, teachers, lecturers, editors and people who work in the tourist or heritage industries. Many of our students have also gone on to further research in Celtic Studies at PhD level.

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This Masters in Celtic Studies is an interdisciplinary programme specialising in the medieval Celtic languages, literature, history and archaeology covering the whole span of the Middle Ages from the 6th to the 16th centuries.

Why this programme

◾The wide-ranging curriculum can be tailored to your own undergraduate experience. This means the programme is suitable whether you have a Celtic Studies degree or you come from a related subject such as history, literature, or archaeology.
◾This programme will provide you with a highly stimulating environment, learning from internationally renowned scholars.
◾You will participate in the lively research culture of the Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies, including weekly research seminars across the academic session.
◾You will enjoy easy access to our research archive, the MacLean Room, which houses our range of books, periodicals and other printed material relating to Celtic and Gaelic.
◾At Glasgow, you are uniquely well placed to study the medieval Celts in the context of Scottish Gaelic. Through the work of its Gaelic Officer and the Gà[email protected] initiative, Celtic and Gaelic provides you an unparalleled opportunity to work and socialise in a bilingual environment and to experience the music and culture of contemporary Gaelic Scotland.

Programme structure

You will take two core courses, choose two optional courses (one per semester) and study a Celtic Language. You will also produce a 10,000-15,000 word dissertation on a specialist topic agreed with your supervisor.

Core courses

◾Skills and scholarship in Celtic studies (Semester 1)
◾Themes and debates in Celtic studies (Semester 2)

You will also take a course in one of the medieval Celtic languages at introductory or advanced level. You may, if appropriate, take a course in Scottish Gaelic instead.
◾Introduction to Early Gaelic (Old and Middle Irish)
◾Introduction to Middle Welsh.

Optional courses from a wide range of specialist courses including:
◾Celtic Art: An Interdisciplinary Approach
◾Celtic Place-names of Scotland
◾Critical Issues in Early Gaelic Literature
◾Finn in Gaelic Literature
◾Legal traditions in Medieval Ireland and Wales
◾Literacy in Celtic Culture and Society: An Interdisciplinary Approach
◾Picts: An Interdisciplinary Approach
◾Special Option (Semester 1 or 2) This is a course of guided reading, directed by a specialist in a field of your choice, designed to produce a research essay of c. 5,000 words.

You may alternatively, with the approval of the programme organiser, take a taught course from a related Master’s programme or take another language course.

Dissertation

You will write a dissertation of 10,000-15,000 words on a topic of your choice, benefitting from the expert supervision of our staff.

Career prospects

Graduates have secured jobs in academia, museums and government heritage bodies; publishing and book marketing; primary and secondary teaching, and teaching English as a foreign language abroad.

The programme also provides an excellent platform for you to move onto PhD studies and an academic career.

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Programme description

This unique, interdisciplinary programme provides students with a professional grounding in the fields of Celtic and Scottish Studies. It caters for a wide range of interests, with pathways in Traditional Arts and Culture, Medieval and Early Modern Celtic and Gaelic Development and Policy.

You will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding in professional research methods and inquiry, language skills, literary and textual analysis or fieldwork and archiving, and a range of core topics in Celtic and Scottish studies.

You will undertake full research training in Celtic and Scottish studies. You will learn to analyse and synthesise this knowledge in an interdisciplinary context, question assumptions about the primacy of one specific discipline over others and receive an introduction to subjects which you may not have experienced at undergraduate level. You will also have the opportunity to take courses offered by the School of History, Classics & Archaeology.

Programme structure

The programme takes one academic year (12 months) of full-time study, or two years (24 months) of part-time study (part-time options are only available for UK or EU students).

You will complete one core course (20 credits total), five option courses (100 credits total) and a dissertation of 15,000 words (60 credits).

Compulsory courses:

• Research Skills and Methods in Celtic and Scottish Studies

Option courses may include:

• Celtic & Scottish Studies Internship
• The Supernatural World
• Material Culture in Scotland
• Scottish Emigrant Traditions

Work placement/internship opportunities

The internship is an opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience in an area relevant to their studies. The economic environment is challenging for many graduates, and evidence of an internship is often a decisive factor in hiring decisions.

The internship has three main elements:

• a work plan agreed between the host institution, the student, and the programme director
• the work itself
• an assessed final report

The precise nature of the internship will depend on agreements with the host institution, but it is likely to involve archival work, research assistance, curatorial work, or work in public relations.

Participating institutions may include Storytelling Centre, the National Library of Scotland Special Collections and Manuscripts departments, the National Sound Archive, the National Museums of Scotland, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, and the special collections of Edinburgh University.

Learning outcomes

You will develop the critical skills to evaluate and compare texts and a historical understanding of literature and culture, as well as transferable skills such as carrying out academic research, writing commentaries and essays, improving your analytical thought, using electronic resources and giving oral presentations.

You will gain:

• familiarity with the broad context of Celtic and Scottish Studies
• a solid understanding of bibliography and study methods
• the ability to engage at a high level with the subject material
• an awareness of current issues and concerns within selected research fields
• the ability to engage in original research resulting in a dissertation in an area of specialism
• opportunities for engagement with the professional field through an internship, if desired
• the opportunity to study modern Scottish Gaelic or medieval Celtic languages

Career opportunities

There are a wide range of sectors within which you could apply your knowledge and skills such as journalism; social, government or cultural research; publishing; higher education; advertising; arts administration; information work; or programme research in broadcasting.

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The MA in Welsh and Celtic Studies offers you the chance to explore the relationship between literature, language, culture and identity across the centuries. From medieval literature to contemporary language planning and policy, the exact content of the course will be tailored to suit your individual research interests and based on our areas of expertise.

The areas of research that we offer and which are available to you include: creative writing through the medium of Welsh, language policy and planning, language acquisition, sociolinguistics, performance theory, medieval and modern prose and poetry, translation theory and methodology, ethnology and folk studies, creative writing, children’s literature, gender studies and literary theory and criticism. Great emphasis is set on placing the School’s academic research within a comparative international context.

Working with leading experts in these fields will allow you to develop advanced academic skills in your chosen area of study and undertake original research. Examples of ground-breaking MA research in recent years include linguistic landscape mapping, creative literary criticism, intertextuality and medieval Welsh literature, and digital technologies and minority languages.

Distinctive features

• Work with leading experts in Welsh and Celtic literature, culture and language in Wales’s capital city.

• Develop an understanding of minority-language cultural and linguistic issues that can be related to other international contexts.

• Gain research and professional transferable skills of the highest quality.

• Experience working at one of Cardiff’s cultural, educational, commercial or political institutions integrated as part of the MA’s work placement programme.

• Choose to study through the medium of Welsh, English or bilingually.

• Benefit from a wide range of Welsh language modules available to learn Welsh or improve your skills in the language, free of charge.

• Participate in regular research seminars with postgraduate research students and staff.

Structure

The course can be completed in one year with full-time study or in two years by part-time study.

For a list of modules for the FULL-TIME route, please see website:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/welsh-and-celtic-studiesastudiaethau-cymreig-a-cheltaidd-ma

For a list of the modules for the PART-TIME route, please see website:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/welsh-and-celtic-studiesastudiaethau-cymreig-a-cheltaidd-ma-part-time

Teaching

This MA degree uses many different methods of teaching and learning. During your degree you will attend lectures, seminars and workshops, complete practical tasks, undertake a work placement and complete extended pieces of independent work under your tutor’s supervision.

The learning sessions will be interactive and practical and you are therefore expected to attend every class (be they workshops, seminars, tutorials, lectures or other sessions). In some cases, for example maternity or disability, we may make alternative arrangements for you.

Assessment

This MA programme is innovative in its use of a variety of methods of assessment. As well as developing essential research and essay/dissertation-writing skills, you will give a 15 minute seminar presentation on an area of your research, undertake a period of work placement (and produce a reflective report of the experience in the context of your academic and professional skills and career plans), and form a detailed research proposal (for the extended research project).

In part one, you will follow three core modules and complete the following assessments:

• Academic and Professional Research (40 credits) - seminar paper presentation, work experience report and research project outline

• Special Subject 1 (a subject of your choice related to Welsh and Celtic Studies) (40 credits) - critical review (2,000 words) + essay (6,000 words)

• Special Subject 2 (a subject of your choice related to Welsh and Celtic Studies) (40 credits) - essay (8,000 words)

In Part 2, you will work on an extended research project (60 credits) and complete a dissertation (12,000 words). This dissertation can take the form of an essay, project or creative portfolio.

Career Prospects

This degree offers academic training of the highest standard in Welsh and Celtic Studies to those interested in a career in language, planning, media, heritage, government, management, public relations, marketing, the creative industries, education and research. You will develop knowledge and skills regarded as assets in a wide variety of posts and undertake a work placement as part of the Academic and Professional Skills module.

Placements

Work experience is a core requirement of the MA programme, forming a part of the Academic and Professional Research module. A five-day placement will allow you to explore how your academic and personal skills relate to the requirements of a professional workplace in an area related to your research. You will write a report to evaluate and reflect on your experience. Previous MA students have undertaken placements with organisations such as the National Assembly of Wales, Glamorgan Archives, translation services, media companies and schools.

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Your programme of study

More and more of us want to know about how people lived in the UK and Europe, what sort of cultures existed and why these cultures were named Celtic or Anglo Saxon. Why did these people travel or move to the UK as we know it now, what other people were on the scene and how did they influence these people? We know that the Celts came to Britain 500 years ago and Anglo Saxons from 400-1066, joining the Jutes and Frisians from Demark with the language we know today in Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia, Wessex. The programme allows you to learn more about specific areas of the UK and their influences and folk tales plus history. If you enjoy history you will be fascinated with this discipline and subject areas.

You learn about European Celts, German invaders with Roman culture and legacy. There are in-depth insights of kingdoms, cultures, invasions and accounts of who we really are. The programme offers theories, method and languages, history and literature.

Courses listed for the programme

Semester 1

Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Research Seminar

Optional Courses

Modern Gaelic for Postgraduates

Modern Irish Language for Postgraduates

M.Litt Special Study in Language and Literature 1

Modern Gaelic for Postgraduates

M.Litt Special Study in Language and Literature

Semester 2

Celtic & Anglo- Saxon Research Seminar

Dissertation Preparation

Optional Courses

Modern Gaelic for Postgraduates

Modern Irish Language for Postgraduates

M.Litt Special Study in Language and Literature 1

Modern Gaelic for Postgraduates

M.Litt Special Study in Language and Literatures 1

Semester 3

15000 word dissertation

Why Study at Aberdeen?

• If you enjoy learning about language, history and literature the university (1495) is steeped in history and you can enjoy the museums on site
• You can enjoy activities on site whilst you study such as events, seminars and festivals relevant to your programme
• The university is multidisciplinary in subjects and many overlap in relevance to your degree with plenty of seminars you can attend
• You are taught be experts in the discipline from the Centre for Celtic and Anglo Saxon Studies and Centre for Linguistic Research

Where you study

• University of Aberdeen
• 12 Months Full Time or 24 Months Part Time
• September start

International Student Fees 2017/2018

Find out about fees:

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/tuition-fees-and-living-costs-287.php

*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.

Scholarships

View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/finance-funding-1599.php

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/funding/

Living in Aberdeen

Find out more about:

• Your Accommodation
• Campus Facilities
• Aberdeen City
• Student Support
• Clubs and Societies

Find out more about living in Aberdeen:

https://abdn.ac.uk/study/student-life

Living costs

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/finance.php

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Research profile

Our area of study is the languages, literatures and cultures of the Celtic and Gaelic peoples, from Iron Age Europe to the present.

As a postgraduate research student, you will benefit not only from our highly regarded academic staff and impressive collection of research resources but also from our commitment to enhancing your research skills through a mandatory comprehensive training programme.

Our field of research spans a number of disciplines. Recent work has encompassed archaeology, divinity, education and linguistics, with thesis topics including Gaelic oral literature and Celtic history.

Our research interests include:

• Scottish, Irish and Welsh Celtic literature and literary tradition in the Medieval and modern periods
• the Gaelic languages and dialects
• Celtic sociolinguistics and language policy

Training and support

A comprehensive training programme by the department of Celtic and Scottish Studies and generic training offered by the School and College is mandatory for all students. Generic training offered by the School and College is optional.

We use a combination of traditional and innovative methods to impart research training. Students are encouraged to make direct contact with original sources and to gain hands-on experience, whether in reading medieval manuscripts or in handling electronically stored data.

Research training and expert research supervision are provided, linked to the specific research topic. Primary sources are emphasised and the combination of archive work and fieldwork particularly encouraged.

Facilities

You will have access to an outstanding range of facilities and resources for your research. The Celtic Class Library, which holds a wide range of specialist materials, and the larger Scottish Studies Library are situated within the department, and the National Library of Scotland is within a short walk. The School of Scottish Studies Archives include songs, tales and the Linguistic and Place-names Surveys of Scotland.

You will be given comprehensive training in the use of these resources, and will be encouraged to use original sources, and to gain hands-on experience, whether in reading Medieval manuscripts or in handling electronically stored data.

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Develop a critical understanding of the Celtic world in this interdisciplinary programme drawing on archaeological, historical, literary and mythological sources.

Studying in a modern Celtic capital with experts from Archaeology, English, History and Welsh, you are additionally well-placed to access key specialist collections and western Britain’s major Celtic sites.

You will be able to critically assess the work of others and of your own, to engage effectively in debate at an advanced level, to plan, design and carry out a coherent research strategy, and to produce detailed and coherent reports and presentations.

The wide-range of non-transferable skills acquired are a particular strength for the pursuit of careers outside of archaeology and the heritage sector.

You will develop a critical understanding of people to whom the term Celtic has been applied, from the earliest European evidence through to the historical and literary evidence of early medieval Britain.

Distinctive features:

• Detailed concentration on the Celtic world.
• Literary, historical and archaeological approaches.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary approaches.
• Expert supervision of dissertation topics.
• You may have the opportunity to build on your existing skill-set through participation in projects and excavations.
• Specialist library facilities.
• Cardiff's location in western Britain makes it geographically central to much of the material under discussion.

Structure

You take a total of 180 credits of modules over one year (full-time) or three years (part-time) consisting of:

• core skill modules (40 credits)
• your choice of option modules (80 credits)
• dissertation (60 credits)

Following successful completion of the taught stage you will progress to the dissertation (60 credits).

For this element of the programme you research and write your 20,000 words on a subject of your choice, approved in consultation with academic staff.

Core modules:

Postgraduate Skills in Archaeology and Conservation
Skills and Methods for Postgraduate Study
Dissertation

Optional modules:

Pwnc Arbennig 1 / Special Subject 1
Pwnc Arbennig 2 / Special Subject 2
Special Period/ Topic Study 1
Special Period/ Topic Study 2
Later Prehistory of Britain
Post-Roman Britain and Ireland
The Early Celts
Celtic Mythology and Religion

Teaching

You will be taught through a mix of seminars, lectures and tutorials (depending on modules chosen).

On successful completion of the taught elements of the programme you will progress to a dissertation of up to 20,000 words on a topic or theme of your choice (subject to the approval of your supervisor).

Teaching is through the medium of English though there are many opportunities to learn Welsh.

Assessment

Taught stage assessment is via essays, presentation and coursework. As part of the programme, you will deliver presentations to your fellow MA students within our supportive community.

Career prospects

Graduates of this and similar degree programmes have embarked on careers in a range of professions from academia, the heritage sector, journalism and law to media research (media, commercial, academic), teaching and publishing. A significant number choose to continue studies at PhD level.

Recent graduate destinations include CADW, Church in Wales, Council for British Archaeology, Glamorgan Archives, Heritage Lottery Fund, National Trust, Tate Gallery, Welsh Assembly Government and a range of universities in the UK and overseas.

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The Masters in Celtic & Viking Archaeology provides an introduction to both theory and practice in approaches to early medieval archaeology, based on our particular research strengths in the settlements and material culture of Celtic, Pictish and Viking peoples, and in the archaeology of kingship and political development.

Why this programme

◾If you want to further your career in archaeology, our new approaches to early medieval studies bring fresh insights into the life and ideas of the period and provide you with a stimulating environment, learning from internationally-renowned scholars
◾You will have the opportunity to take fieldtrips to a number of sites relevant to your studies.
◾Our programme has strong links with the University's Hunterian Museum, and Glasgow Life giving you access to primary source material, including objects and archives.

Programme structure

You will take two core courses and three optional courses. For the MLitt you will produce a dissertation on a specialist topic agreed with the course convenor.

The core courses provides you with a theoretical background to the study of early medieval archaeology, examining themes such as burial, settlement, material culture, religion through a series of case studies. You will also get training and support in a wide variety of research methods including library skills, humanities computing, writing and presenting papers.

Core courses

◾Approaches to Celtic and Viking Archaeology
◾Research Skills

Optional courses

Three optional courses must be selected, two of which from the following
◾Themes in Early Medieval Scottish archaeology
◾Early Christian monuments of Scotland
◾Early Medieval artefacts
◾Viking and late Norse artefacts
◾Norse in the North Atlantic, AD 800–1500
◾Viking and late Norse British Isles.

You may also choose one of the following options
◾Thematic studies: any one of the thematic courses offered via other MLitt programmes, by agreement with the course convener. These may include courses available via other Masters programmes within the University (most relevant are those offered as part of Celtic Studies and Scottish Medieval Studies)
◾Independent study on a topic agreed with the course convenor.
◾Artefact studies: any one of the specialist courses offered in the MLitt Material Culture & Artefact Studies
◾Multimedia analysis and design or 2D digitisation.

Career prospects

Graduates have gone on to work for various heritage bodies such as the National Museum of Scotland, and for UK-based commercial archaeology firms.

The programme provides an excellent platform for you to move onto PhD studies and an academic career. The wide variety of specialist optional courses allow you to tailor your particular programme experience towards a direction that best suits your future plans upon completion.

Positions held by recent graduates include Field Archaeologist, Open Learning Tutor, University lectureships and research managers.

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Overview

This MA enables students to explore and examine the rich tradition of early Irish literature and intellectual culture, from the early medieval period and the advent of Christianity until the coming of the Normans at the end of the 12th century. It also enables students to deepen their acquaintance with the language of the period, and to endow them with a set of research skills appropriate to work in this field.

Course Structure

This programme comprises two parts: taught modules (compulsory and elective modules) [60 credits] and a minor thesis [30 credits] [90 credits in total].
The compulsory taught modules focus on medieval Irish literature (20 credits), palaeography and manuscript studies (10 credits), and general research skills and methodology (10 credits).
The choice of the elective modules depends on the students’ level of knowledge of the Old Irish language. Students with a previous knowledge of Old Irish will do Old Irish reading modules that focus on the philology, translation and analysis of Early Irish literature (20 credits). Students with no or insufficient previous knowledge of the language will be required to attend a suite of intensive introductory language modules (20 credits).
The minor thesis amounts to approximately 15,000 words (30 credits) on a topic approved by the Head of Department, under the supervision of a designated supervisor. The topic is agreed by the end of the first semester, and the work is begun during the period between the first and the second semester. The thesis is submitted by a specific date at the end of the academic year, typically either in July or October.

Career Options

Successful completion of the Masters programme will equip the student for library work, various types of adult education, and employment in the heritage and related industries. Successful completion of the programme at a high level, with an appropriate degree of competence of Old and Middle Irish, will normally equip students to proceed to study for a PhD, a necessary qualification for an academic career.

How To Apply

Online application only http://www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity

PAC code
MHX52

The following information should be forwarded to PAC, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway or uploaded to your online application form:

Certified copies of all official transcripts of results for all non-Maynooth University qualifications listed MUST accompany the application. Failure to do so will delay your application being processed. Non-Maynooth University students are asked to provide two academic references and a copy of birth certificate or valid passport.

Find information on Scholarships here https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/fees-funding-scholarships

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Few words are as evocative and intriguing as ‘Celtic’, bringing to mind the intricacies of Bronze Age jewellery, the massive structures of Stonehenge and Newgrange, the legends of Arthur and Cú Chulainn and the Bardic craft of medieval kings and princes. But ‘Celtic’ is also about the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the New World; Romanticism, Revolution and the struggles for survival in modernity of languages, literatures and entire national identities.

This new course from Bangor University gives students the opportunity and ability to sift fact and fiction, and to answer in detail the question:

‘Who were – and who are – the Celts?’

Over a single academic year, modules will be taught by experts in the Schools of Welsh, History, and Music, focusing on literature, archaeology, religion, mythology, antiquarianism, art history and music, to explore the culture and identity of the Celtic peoples from the hillforts of prehistory to the devolved and independent parliaments of today.

Students on the course will also be guided as they perform their own research towards a Master’s thesis on a topic of their choice.

All instruction is available through English or Welsh, and comprehensive ESOL support is available where necessary.

Major issues covered on the MA ‘Y Celtiaid – The Celts’ include:

Do ‘The Celts’ actually exist, and if so, who and what are they? How can we discuss such questions, with what methodology and with what evidence?
How has the word itself (‘Celt’, ‘Keltoi’, etc.) been used through the centuries, from Classical historians to modern pop musicians?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of ‘Celtomania’ and ‘Celtoscepticism’? How has the concept of the ‘Celt’ has been discovered and discarded in various fields such as Literature, Archaeology, Linguistics, Music, Religion?
How did nineteenth-century Continental scholars contribute to the creation of the ‘Celt’?
How do and how did the Celtic-speaking peoples negotiate their own identities? What do the medieval texts (Laws, Legends, Court Poetry, Saints’ Lives) and archaeological findings tell us, and what does recent history have to say?
What are the main sources of evidence for the histories and identities of the ‘Celtic’ peoples (i.e. those speaking Celtic languages in the modern period)? How do we use these sources? Can Arthur and Cú Chulainn tell us anything useful?
How have the ethnic and national identities of the modern ‘Celts’ been represented and negotiated with reference to this concept of the ‘Celtic’?
What has been – and what is – the political and ideological relevance of the ‘Celt’?
With issues such as these in mind, the MA ‘Y Celtiaid – The Celts’ is designed to develop participants’ skills through a scheme of specialist advanced study. An important objective is to provide participants with relevant analytical training, so that they are familiar with the latest theoretical and practical developments relating to Celtic Studies. On completing this course, students will have a solid grounding in the main methods and sources of the discipline, and will also have developed widely-transferrable skills which will be of clear relevance to a broad range of careers.

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Overview

This MA enables students to explore and examine the rich tradition of early Irish literature and intellectual culture, from the early medieval period and the advent of Christianity until the coming of the Normans at the end of the 12th century. It also enables students to deepen their acquaintance with the language of the period, and to endow them with a set of research skills appropriate to work in this field.
This programme comprises two parts: taught modules (compulsory and elective modules) [60 credits] and a minor thesis [30 credits] [90 credits in total].

Course Structure

The compulsory taught modules focus on medieval Irish literature (20 credits), palaeography and manuscript studies (10 credits), and general research skills and methodology (10 credits).
The choice of the elective modules depends on the students’ level of knowledge of the Old Irish language. Students with a previous knowledge of Old Irish will do Old Irish reading modules that focus on the philology, translation and analysis of Early Irish literature (20 credits). Students with no or insufficient previous knowledge of the language will be required to attend a suite of intensive introductory language modules (20 credits).

Career Options

Successful completion of the Masters programme will equip the student for library work, various types of adult education, and employment in the heritage and related industries. Successful completion of the programme at a high level, with an appropriate degree of competence of Old and Middle Irish, will normally equip students to proceed to study for a PhD, a necessary qualification for an academic career.

The minor thesis amounts to approximately 15,000 words (30 credits) on a topic approved by the Head of Department, under the supervision of a designated supervisor. The topic is agreed by the end of the first semester, and the work is begun during the period between the first and the second semester. The thesis is submitted by a specific date at the end of the academic year, typically either in July or October.

How To Apply

How to Apply
Online application only http://www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity

PAC code
MHX52

The following information should be forwarded to PAC, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway or uploaded to your online application form:

Certified copies of all official transcripts of results for all non-Maynooth University qualifications listed MUST accompany the application. Failure to do so will delay your application being processed. Non-Maynooth University students are asked to provide two academic references and a copy of birth certificate or valid passport.

Find information on Scholarships here https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/fees-funding-scholarships

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The aim of this programme is to provide students with a professional training in advanced academic research in early Irish literature, language and history, to deepen their knowledge in specific areas of these, and to endow them with the research skills appropriate to work in this field.

As part of a structured programme, students will take 5 credits in generic/transferrable skills and 5 credits in subject-specific/advanced-specialist modules, particularly in the language of early Ireland and manuscript reading and textual editing.

Successful completion of these programmes will equip the student for further academic work and for employment in heritage, libraries and related institutions.

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The aim of this programme is to provide students with a professional training in advanced academic research in early Irish literature, language and history, to deepen their knowledge in specific areas of these, and to endow them with the research skills appropriate to work in this field.

As part of a structured programme, students will take 5 credits in generic/transferrable skills and 5 credits in subject-specific/advanced-specialist modules, particularly in the language of early Ireland and manuscript reading and textual editing.
Course Duration: 2 years Full-time, 3 years Part-time

Successful completion of these programmes will equip the student for further academic work and for employment in heritage, libraries and related institutions.

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This course is designed to allow students to further their undergraduate interest in archaeology or a related subject, and to develop the skills and knowledge needed if they decided to undertake further research into the past. The modular degree scheme includes a choice of specialist modules in aspects of Celtic Archaeology, Theory and Interpretation in Celtic Archaeology and training modules to develop relevant skills.

The programme aims to deepen knowledge of archaeology beyond undergraduate level, with particular emphasis on Celtic archaeology. It provides the opportunity for students to specialise in a particular academic area, so as to gain a close understanding of the archaeological debates around it. The programme acquaints students with relevant archaeological theoretical issues and methods of interpretation and the use of evidence. It also provides the student with the necessary research skills to produce an original piece of work on a chosen topic, under supportive supervision.

Courses
ONE Special Option module chosen from the following:

The Prehistoric Archaeology of the Irish Sea Zone
Celtic Societies in Europe
The Archaeology of the Early Medieval Celtic Churches
Compulsory modules:

Theory and Interpretation in Celtic Archaeology
Initiating a Research Project
Various Skills Option module(s)
One 20,000 word dissertation

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This is the only course of its kind that focuses on studying the history, culture, literature, archaeology and language of the Orkney and Shetland Islands; communities of significant strategic importance through the ages.

Come with us on a journey to explore the islands’ unique culture and heritage, delivered by the prize-winning Centre for Nordic Studies team.

You will be able to progress on to research degrees once you have completed this Orkney and Shetland Studies course and you will have gained valuable personal development skills along the way.

Special Features

• Loans for tuition fees are available from the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for eligible Scotland domiciled and EU students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.
• Unique course content not available anywhere else
• You are taught by local experts in Orkney and Shetland
• We use video conferencing and a virtual learning environment to deliver the course at a distance
• Small class sizes
• You can also choose options in palaeography, creative writing and the North Atlantic World
• You can study individual modules for personal or professional development, or work towards the PgCert, PgDip, or full Masters degree

Modules

PgCert

Core modules are: Orkney and Shetland Myths and Origins; Archaeological Heritage of Orkney and Shetland; Medieval History of Orkney and Shetland

PgDip

Core modules are: Traditional Customs and Beliefs of the Highlands and Islands; Modern History of Orkney and Shetland

You will also choose one option module which may include:
Early Scottish and Norse Literature
The Orkney and Shetland Tongues
Orkney and Shetland Literature
Exploring creative writing
The North Atlantic World
Celts and Vikings in the North Atlantic
Picts: Revealing the painted past.

MLitt

To achieve the award of MLitt Orkney and Shetland Studies you must complete a research dissertation.

Access Routes

Students can access the programme from a range of UHI undergraduate programmes including:
BA (Hons) Culture and Heritage
BA (Hons) Scottish History
BA (Hons) Scottish History and Archaeology
BA (Hons) Scottish History and Literature
BA (Hons) Social Sciences
BA (Hons) Literature
BA (Hons) Archaeology
And externally from humanities degrees generally

Locations

This course is available
Online with support from Orkney College UHI, East Road, Kirkwall, KW15 1LX
At Orkney College UHI, East Road, Kirkwall, KW15 1LX

Study Options

You will study this course through a combination of video conferenced seminars and learning via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors and student advisor.
International students requiring a Tier 4 visa to study with us must be based at Orkney College UHI during their studies. International students undertaking the course from their home country can study online and by video conference, in real-time or recordings.
All other students can choose to study at Orkney College UHI or from their own location studying online and by video conference in real-time or recordings.
An online induction will be offered at the start of your course.

Funding

From 2017, eligible Scotland domiciled students studying full time can access loans up to 10,000 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £5,500 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500. EU students studying full time can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £5500.

Part-time students undertaking any taught postgraduate course over two years up to Masters level who meet the residency eligibility can apply for a for a tuition fee loan up to £2,750 per year.

See Scholarships tab below for full details

Top reasons to study at UHI

1. Do something different: our reputation is built on our innovative approach to learning and our distinctive research and curriculum which often reflects the unique environment and culture of our region and closely links to vocational skills required by a range of sectors.
2. Choice of campuses – we have campuses across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Each campus is different from rich cultural life of the islands; the spectacular coasts and mountains; to the bright lights of our city locations.
3. Small class sizes mean that you have a more personal experience of university and receive all the support you need from our expert staff
4. The affordable option - if you already live in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland you don't have to leave home and incur huge debts to go to university; we're right here on your doorstep

How to apply

If you want to apply for this postgraduate programme click on the ‘visit website’ button below which will take you to the relevant course page on our website, from there select the Apply tab to complete our online application.
If you still have any questions please get in touch with our information line by email using the links beow or call on 0845 272 3600.

International Students

If you would like to study in a country of outstanding natural beauty, friendly communities, and cities buzzing with social life and activities, the Highlands and Islands of Scotland should be your first choice. We have campuses across the region each one with its own special characteristics from the rich cultural life of the islands to the bright city lights of Perth and Inverness. Some courses are available in one location only, for others you will have a choice; we also have courses that can be studied online from your own home country. .http://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/studying-at-uhi/international

English Language Requirements

Our programmes are taught and examined in English. To make the most of your studies, you must be able to communicate fluently and accurately in spoken and written English and provide certified proof of your competence before starting your course. Please note that English language tests need to have been taken no more than two years prior to the start date of the course. The standard English Language criteria to study at the University of the Highlands and Islands are detailed on our English language requirements page http://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/studying-at-uhi/international/how-to-apply-to-uhi/english-language-requirements

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