Celtic Studies (Full-time) (BA Hons)
Explore the rich and diverse cultures of the Celtic world. Through this course, you will gain a full understanding of the Celtic life, Celtic literature, and Celtic religion that shaped ancient and modern societies across Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, and beyond. With a focus on both historical and modern perspectives, the course allows you to engage with the heritage of Celtic regions and appreciate the deep cultural ties that connect these areas.
The programme is designed to be accessible to students of all backgrounds, with options to either learn Welsh from scratch or improve your Welsh language skills. This focus on the Welsh language and other Celtic languages provides valuable insight into the cultural and social significance of these languages, both in the past and today. By learning or advancing your skills in Welsh, you will also enhance your future employment skills, giving you an advantage in sectors such as education, heritage, and public services.
Throughout the course, you will study a range of topics from the ancient Celts to modern-day Celtic societies. You will explore how Celtic culture has evolved, looking at its impact on European history and society. Through the history of Celtic regions, you will examine key cultural developments and how these shaped life across Wales, Ireland, and Cornwall.
The course encourages you to engage deeply with the subject through the study of literary texts and critical examination of both primary and secondary sources. You will develop essential research skills, using a range of theories and methodologies to analyse historical events, cultural shifts, and important works of literature. This critical analysis will prepare you for a range of careers or further academic study, as you will gain a strong foundation in subject-specific and transferable skills.
Whether you are passionate about the Celtic heritage, interested in language, or keen to explore Celtic literature, this course provides a comprehensive and engaging experience. As a graduate, you will be well-prepared to pursue a career or further study, with a deep appreciation for the history, culture, and significance of the Celtic world.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Full-time
- English
- Welsh
Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our Celtic Studies programme combines academic rigour with a student-focused approach. We believe in engaging with diverse topics and ideas, offering you the tools to think critically, analyse sources, and explore the Celtic world through language, literature, history, and culture. Each year builds on these skills, fostering both academic and personal growth.
In the first year, you will gain a foundational understanding of Celtic life, history, and Celtic culture across Wales, Ireland, and Cornwall. You’ll be introduced to Celtic languages and literature, learning key research methods while beginning your Welsh language studies or improving existing skills. This year focuses on developing essential study skills and critical thinking.
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Building on your first-year knowledge, you will explore more specialised topics such as Celtic religion, the heritage of Celtic regions, and key literary texts from the ancient Celts to the modern era. You will deepen your critical analysis skills, engage with primary and secondary sources, and continue advancing your proficiency in the Welsh language.
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Optional
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In the final year, you will focus on independent research, completing a dissertation on a topic of your choice. You will explore advanced themes in Celtic literature, history, and culture, applying complex theories and methodologies. This year prepares you for the workplace or further study by refining your academic and transferable skills.
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Optional
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Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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96-112 UCAS Tariff Points - e.g. A-levels: CCC-BBC, BTEC: MMM-DMM, IB: 30-32 / Interview.
The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.  
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
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The programme will include several of the following types of assessment:
- essays of 1,000 to 4,000 words in length
- document analysis
- book/ journal reviews
- short reports and reflective journals
- time tests
- seen and unseen exams
- field journals
- posters
- group and individual presentations
- dissertations of 10,000 words
- wikis
- commentaries
- film evaluations
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Estimations are made on the assumption that students buy new copies of the books. Students may also choose to spend money on printing drafts of work.
Students may spend up to £300 per year on books and additional related materials.
Students are expected to submit two hard copies of their final project, the estimated cost for binding these is £20.
Optional field trip:
The Faculty works to ensure that there are a range of field work and field trip options available both locally and internationally. This means students can opt to take either more expensive or less expensive placements. The Faculty subsidises these but the cost each year is dependent on airfare, location, and currency exchange rates. Below are the upper end of expected costs based on where students have currently undertaken placements.Field work (depending on where student decides to do field work): approximately £500 to £1,500
Individual trips: approximately £5 to £50 -
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Successful graduates will acquire skills that will lead to a range of possible posts including:
- teaching
- the heritage and tourist industry
- libraries
- archives and information services
- local and Welsh assembly government
- civil service
- administration
- proofreading
- publishing
- journalism
- film
- television
- media
- creative arts
Many of our students progress to postgraduate studies at UWTSD/CAWCS: for example, the MA in Celtic Studies or MPhil and PhD study.
Learning Welsh and becoming bilingual will equip students to work confidently as part of a bilingual workforce in Wales.