Gaelic with Development BA (Hons)
Course code Q540
What is special about this course?
Do you want to play a part in securing the future of Gaelic language and culture in our society? Could you put your enthusiasm and skills to use, ensuring Gaelic is included and celebrated in our country and communities for generations to come?
Gaelic, like a huge proportion of the world's languages, faces an uncertain future. The importance of planning and development to maintain languages and culture within successful, sustainable communities, often rural and peripheral, is increasingly recognised. Join our BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development, developed with awareness of these challenges and designed to equip you with the skills needed to address them.
Learn about linguistic, economic, social, rural, community, and sustainable development, and their importance in determining the future of languages and cultures. Public bodies such as Bòrd na Gàidhlig and local authorities are legally required to develop language plans in collaboration with Gaelic advocates: learn to apply current theories of language decline and revitalisation to Gaelic in Scotland, and compare local situations with those in Europe and around the world, so that you can contribute to the discussion and become a fundamental part of the solution.
Special features
- Excellent library resources
- Teaching team with research specialisms in language maintenance and rural development
- This is a specialist strand within the context of a Gaelic degree:
- in years one and two, you will study general Gaelic topics (on the BA (Hons) Gaelic))
- for the final two years of the programme, those who choose at least four specialist modules relating to development issues will pursue the Gaelic with Development pathway and qualify with a BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development
Year 1 - CertHE
For CertHE entry, please apply to BA (Hons) Gaelic year one (level 7).
Year 2 - DipHE
For DipHE entry, please apply to BA (Hons) Gaelic year two (level 8).
Year 3 - BA
You will study the following core modules:
- Gàidhlig 3
- Poileasaidh agus planadh cànain
- Sgilean rannsachaidh
You will also study 3 of the following optional modules:
- Dùbhlain sna sgìrean dùthchail
- A' leasachadh choimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig: sgilean pragtaigeach
- Bàrdachd 1600-1900
- Dualchas Gàidhlig
- Eachdraidh a' chànain sgrìobhte
- Gàidhlig na h-Èireann
- Feallsnachd Eòrpach
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
You will study the following core modules:
- Coimhearsnachdan soirbheachail seasmhach
- Poileasaidh cànain san àite-obrach
- Sgilean eadar-theangachaidh
- Tràchdas Ceuma (double module)
You will also study 1 of the following optional modules:
- An t-Aos Dàna
- Na dualchainntean Gàidhlig
- Sgrùdadh spèisealta
- Tuigse nan Ceilteach
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- This course can be studied either on site or online
- On-campus students will learn via face-to-face tuition plus online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- Online students will learn via a combination of video-conference lectures and tutorials, as well as online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors.
- Level 7 is an intensive language year with a choice of intermediate or advanced pathways:
- On-campus intermediate learners will follow CertHE An Cùrsa Comais
- Online students will follow CertHE An Cùrsa Adhartais over two years
- Fluent and advanced speakers will follow CertHE Gàidhlig agus Conaltradh on site
- For level 8 onwards, you will take part in smaller classes which combine online students (joining by videoconference) and on-campus students, enabling both groups to meet and share. For larger classes, on-site and off-site groups are held separately
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 35 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): up to 8 years @ 17 hours per week
- Part-time (unstructured): There is no time limit for completion - students whose time commitments do not allow them to study more than say, one module per semester, will not be disadvantaged
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- North, West and Hebrides - Stornoway campus
- Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
- This course can be studied online from anywhere in the world. If you are studying fully online, you should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, staff at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Start date
- September
- January
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.
| Degrees | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
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:
| Full-time | Level | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
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 4th 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.
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | With scholarship | 2025-26 Full-time |
With scholarship |
| Year 1 | CertHE | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 4 | Honours | £14,988 | Free | £15,870 | Free |
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:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £14,988 | £15,870 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £7,494 | £7,935 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,498 | £2,645 |
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.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in:
- Public bodies, local and national organisations with a responsibility for Gaelic language plans, etc and for economic development
- Academia
- Community organisations with a Gaelic focus
- Community development
Can I progress into further study?
You may wish to progress from BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development to the following courses:
- PGDE Foghlam bun-sgoile/ard-sgoile
- MEd Foghlam Gàidhlig
- DipHE Na meadhanan Gàidhlig
- MSC Cultar dùthchasach agus eachdraidh na Gàidhealtachd
- MRes Gàidhlig agus Ceiltis
- PhD studies
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
We get so much support, the lecturers are always there whenever we need them if we have any questions, lecturers are often an email away, or we can go and see them when we are on campus. They’ll be here anytime. We get a lot of one-to-one tuition here, you do feel like you get a lot of support.
There’s always a lot happening on campus, there’s always events we go to. We’ve got conversation classes, quiz nights and Ceilidhs. You are never sitting bored, there’s so much on and everything is so close. The student accommodation was so amazing, the views you get every morning waking up to the sea. I think it is a great place to study, it is a great community, you know everybody on campus, and it feels like you are part of a family. It’s a really lovely place to study.
Amber is studying Gaelic at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a partner of UHI.
Apply for Gaelic with Development BA (Hons)
Applications for this course are only accepted via our BA (Hons) Gaelic.
Please visit the course page for further information.
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.