Gaelic and Education BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

The BA (Hons) Gaelic and Education is a four-year, Gaelic-medium undergraduate teacher education programme.

The programme is designed for either Gaelic-medium primary teaching or secondary teaching (Gaelic as a subject) and includes 30 weeks of school experience: three weeks in year one of the programme, six weeks in year two, nine weeks in year three and twelve weeks in year four.

Successful completion of this award will give you a direct route into Gaelic/Gaelic-medium teaching.

Special features

• The programme is delivered and assessed through the medium of Scottish Gaelic 
• You will have an opportunity to gain an Honours award and teaching qualification in four years 
• The programme is open to both fluent speakers and learners of Scottish Gaelic 
• You will gain fluency in Scottish Gaelic by the end of the first year, with continuing language enhancement throughout the programme 
• The programme will provide you with specialist skills and immersion and bilingual teaching and learning pedagogies 
• The programme will prepare you for life as a reflective professional, supporting high-quality learning for the children you teach 

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, preferably including Higher Gàidhlig (fluent speakers) or Gaelic (learners) at grade B or above OR
• 2 A levels at grade BC or above
• Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
• Prior to the commencement of the course, you will be required to attend an interview in accordance with guidelines for admission to Initial Teacher Education in Scotland. Gaelic language skills will also be assessed at interview stage in order to place you on the appropriate first year course as a fluent speaker or learner

Please note:

• There are subject specific entry guidelines for secondary teaching stipulated by GTC Scotland. These are available from the GTC Scotland website: Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland (GTCS 2024)

• This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

• It is possible for successful applicants to defer an offer of a place to the following year. For example, you may wish to take a year out to go travelling or to work as a classroom assistant in a school before starting your course

For primary and secondary teaching in Scotland, you will be required to have the following qualifications, preferably before entry to the programme and by the end of year two of the programme at the latest:

• Higher (or A level) English at grade C or above
• Mathematics at National 5, Standard Grade Credit, Intermediate 2 or GCSE at grade C/4

Access routes

For applicants with little or no previous knowledge of Gaelic, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig offers An Cùrsa Inntrigidh, a distance learning course which aims to prepare you for entry to year one of the degree programme.

Year 1 - CertHE

The first year of the programme is primarily a language foundation year, during which you will build on language skills and, depending on linguistic ability on entry, will study either: 

• CertHE An Cùrsa Comais (Gaelic learners)
• CertHE Gàidhlig agus Conaltradh (Fluent speakers)

As part of your chosen CertHE course, you will undertake a professional practice module (Preparing to teach 1) which will comprise a series of professional practice seminars and a three-week school placement.

Year 2 - DipHE

Core modules include:

• Gaelic language 2
• Language, culture and ethnicity

You will choose another module from a range of Gaelic and related studies modules including literature, oral tradition, and social history. 

You will also undertake two education modules in Year 2:  

• Gaelic education in Scotland
• Professional practice module (Preparing to teach 2), which will comprise a series of professional practice seminars and six weeks of school placement experience.

Year 3 - BA

Core modules include:

• Children and their learning
• Professional practice 1 (9 weeks)
• Gaelic language 3
• Research skills

You will be able to choose other modules from a range of Gaelic and related studies modules. 

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

Core modules include:

• The critical and enquiring professional
• Professional practice (12 weeks)
• Undergraduate dissertation

You will also choose another module from a range of Gaelic and related studies modules.

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4^th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Students enrolled in Gaelic-medium teaching programmes at undergraduate and post-graduate level can apply to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for some additonal funding.

Additional costs

Travel costs to school placements may be reimbursed in accordance with UHI Teacher Education Travel and Subsistence Policy.