Material Culture and Gàidhealtachd History MSc

What is special about this course?

This ground-breaking, internationally acclaimed masters programme offers you a unique opportunity to investigate Gaelic culture – entirely through the language of the Gaels themselves.

The course gives you the chance to study in-depth the extraordinary transformations affecting the Gaelic world during recent centuries up to the present day, drawing upon the wealth of material culture, literature, tradition, and language of the people of the Highlands.

You may already be knowledgeable on the tradition, material culture and history of different Highland districts. By placing them in a wider regional context through your studies, with a specific focus on material culture – the many objects made and used in the Highlands – you will attain a deeper understanding of the world of the Gaels, both past and present.

The course is taught in Gaelic, from a Gaelic perspective, by internationally recognised scholars, therefore communicative ability in the language is essential.

Special features

• It is available to study entirely online
• You can fit your studies around your personal and professional commitments
• Emphasis on developing skills in fieldwork, oral interviewing and archival research
• Building strong links with local communities, local and national museums and agencies
• You can study individual modules for personal or professional development, or work towards the PgCert, PgDip or masters degree

Entry requirements

• 2:2 honours degree or above in a relevant subject
• Applicants without these qualifications but with relevant professional experience will be considered on an individual basis
• A good standard of fluency in Gaelic is necessary

Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scottish-domiciled and EU students)

Loans for tuition fees are available from SAAS for eligible Scotland-domiciled and EU students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.

Access routes

Direct entry from our own Gaelic-medium degrees.

PgCert

Core modules are:

• Material culture and European ethnology
• Research methods
• Settlement and land use

PgDip

Core modules are:

• Historical perspectives
• Contemporary issues

You will also choose one option module which may include:

• Environmental evolution and sustainability
• Regions and identities
• Migration: cultural continuity and change

MSc

To achieve the award of MSc you must complete a research dissertation.

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) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status, the following fees apply:

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. These students will get an automatic fee scholarship.

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

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying online from their home country, or assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:

This course is not available to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

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

Funding

Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS. You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study. 

Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.

Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.