The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL
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Course contact details
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Email:futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Phone:0131 650 4360
Primary Education with Gaelic (Learners)
- MA (Hons)
- 5 Years
- Full-time
- 08/09/2025
- Undergraduate
- Central area campus
Course summary
The Gaelic language is a vital part of Scotland's heritage, national identity and cultural life. As an official language of Scotland, Gaelic influences and shapes Scottish literature, music, art, film and TV, festivals, and of course, education.
Study with us, and you will be a part of a proud tradition of teacher education spanning nearly 200 years.
Our MA (Hons) in Primary Education with Gaelic (Learners) is unique in the world in educating non-Gaelic speakers to become Gaelic-medium primary School teachers.
It was developed to help meet the national shortage of Gaelic teachers and to enhance the professional capacity of future teachers.
With this degree, you will benefit from:
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living and studying for a year on the beautiful Isle of Skye, for an immersion experience at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture.
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a full-year placement in a Gaelic-medium primary school setting, unique only to the University of Edinburgh
-
a qualification to enable you to teach in Gaelic or English
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dedicated courses on bilingualism and immersion education, with a focus on Gaelic and Scotland
-
a £1,000 grant from Bòrd na Gàidhlig
By the end of the 5-year programme, not only will you meet the need for Gaelic teachers in Scotland, ensuring your career viability, but also the sustainable future of Gaelic in Scotland.
Why Edinburgh
The city of Edinburgh has a long-established Gaelic community and a lively contemporary cultural scene. For example, there are:
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conversation groups for practising Gaelic socially.
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fèisean for performers.
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an annual festival, Seachdain na Gàidhlig.
University of Edinburgh’s School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC)
You can benefit from studying across two schools at the University of Edinburgh: Moray House School of Education and Sport, and the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).
LLC is a founding member of Soillse, the National Research Network for the Maintenance and Revitalisation of Gaelic Language and Culture.
Through the Gaelic Algorithmic Research Group (GARG), LLC is leading an international team researching modern technologies for Gaelic, including the development of the world’s first working automatic speech recognition system for the language.
In addition, LLC has a Traditional Artist and Gaelic Writer-in-Residence, a composer/musician and a writer who works with staff and students on a range of projects and performances.
Mental health and wellbeing partnership
Student teachers at the University of Edinburgh can also engage with our mental health and wellbeing programme.
This is provided through our unique partnership with children’s mental health charity Place2Be and helps you to support mental wellbeing in your classrooms and yourself.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Primary
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 3R67
- Institution code:
- E56
- Campus name:
- Central area campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff
Not acceptedA level
ABBABB. Required subjects: A levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English Language and English Literature, both at C or 4, a language other than English at B or 6, and Mathematics at C or 4.
Scottish Higher
ABBBABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: English at C. National 5s: a language other than English at B and Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics at C. For alternative acceptable Mathematics qualifications please contact the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office via the Enquiries link below.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
34 points34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: English at 5. SL: Mathematics at 4 and a language other than English at 5.
It is important that applicants for teacher education degrees show commitment, motivation and suitability for their degree and the profession.
This can be demonstrated in your personal statement by reflecting on relevant work experience, and explaining your understanding of the teacher's role.
For more guidance please see the school website:
https://www.ed.ac.uk/education
Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply.
You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
-
A level - ABB
Required subjects: A levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English Language and English Literature, both at C or 4, a language other than English at B or 6, and Mathematics at C or 4.
Scottish Higher - ABBB
ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: English at C. National 5s: a language other than English at B and Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics at C. For alternative acceptable Mathematics qualifications please contact the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office via the Enquiries link below.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: English at 5. SL: Mathematics at 4 and a language other than English at 5.
Find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- Health checks
- There is fitness to practise guidance for people who wish to become teachers, we strongly advise you to make yourself aware of this before you apply. Please consult the Higher Educational Occupational Physicians/Practitioners (HEOPS) website for fitness to practise guidelines for this degree. https://heops.org.uk/guidance/
- Interview
- Admission to this degree includes an interview process. Further details on the process will be sent to candidates shortlisted for interview.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 92 | Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with distinctions in all four components. | |
| PTE Academic | 65 | Total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online. |
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies. For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher: SQA National 5 at C; SQA Standard Grade at 3; SQA Intermediate 1 at A; SQA Intermediate 2 at C; GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate Grade C or IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.
Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website: https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for The University of Edinburgh - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| EU | £28000 | Year 1 |
| International | £28000 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.
EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.
Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
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