Celtic and French MA (Hons)

The relationship between Scotland and France, two nations with Celtic roots, stretches back many centuries.<br/><br/>This joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study the languages, literatures and cultures of the Celtic and French-speaking worlds, which today extend to countries in Europe, Africa and the Americas.<br/><br/>Study with us and you will gain advanced language skills while learning about extraordinarily rich cultures, from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. You will spend Year 3 either studying or working in a country where French is spoken.<br/><br/>Our courses explore contemporary issues such as language policy and revitalisation, colonisation and decolonisation.<br/><br/>**Celtic**<br/><br/>At all levels of study on this four-year, joint honours programme, we offer courses in the languages, literatures, histories, and cultures of the Celtic world.<br/><br/>You have the option to study Scottish Gaelic and build up to advanced competency in the language.<br/><br/>A choice of pathways through the programme enables you to develop your own interests in particular areas, periods and disciplines of Celtic studies.<br/><br/>Our expertise covers:<br/><br/><br/>* Scottish Gaelic from the late Middle Ages to the present, including language policy and revitalisation <br/><br/><br/>* the medieval literary tradition in Early Irish and Medieval Welsh - the most extensive in the whole of Europe <br/><br/><br/>* the rich oral tradition recorded from the 18th century to the present day <br/><br/><br/>* poetry from the 18th century golden age of Gaelic literature <br/><br/><br/>* 19th and 20th century responses to the rapid social, cultural, and linguistic changes in countries where the Celtic languages are spoken <br/><br/><br/>* the writing, song, and media production emerging from the lively and varied contemporary cultural scene in Gaelic Scotland, Ireland, and Wales<br/><br/><br/>**Celtic language study**<br/><br/>If you choose to study Scottish Gaelic, it does not matter if you are a complete beginner; we stream our Year 1 classes to suit all levels of prior knowledge or none.<br/><br/>You can also learn a medieval Celtic language at honours level (Years 3 and 4). Both Old Irish and Middle Welsh are available. For this path, you will study Celtic civilisation and literature in Years 1 and 2, with texts presented in English translation.<br/><br/>**French**<br/><br/>At Edinburgh, you will study the French language in the context of the diverse countries, cultures and societies in which it is spoken.<br/><br/>Over the course of your four-year programme, you will have the opportunity to acquire near-native fluency in French while gaining the broad cultural education valued by graduate employers.<br/><br/>We will introduce you to the extraordinary richness and variety of the French-speaking world through the study of:<br/><br/><br/>* literature and cinema <br/><br/><br/>* political history and social movements<br/><br/><br/>* philosophical ideas<br/><br/><br/>Our courses cover material from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century and include specialist options taught by leading experts in key disciplines, including post-colonial studies and gender studies.<br/><br/>**Why Edinburgh**<br/><br/>As a world-leading festival city, and Scotlands capital, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study Celtic alongside a global language in cultural context.<br/><br/>We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.<br/><br/>Our programme is extremely flexible. In Years 1 and 2, in addition to your core courses, you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines. You will then specialise as you progress through your honours years.<br/><br/>When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.