The BA (Hons) Gaelic and Education is delivered through the medium of Scottish Gaelic and has a focus on immersion and bilingual teaching practices in schools. The Programme provides fluent speakers and learners with the opportunity to gain an honours award and teaching qualification in four years. This allows you a direct route into teacher education, in a field where there is a skills shortage. You will study both language and education components in an immersion situation and the programme is designed for Secondary Teaching (Gaelic as a subject) or Gaelic-medium and bilingual Primary Teaching and includes 30 weeks of school experience over Years 1 to 4. Students study in an immersive language and culture-rich environment, providing a solid foundation for practice in Gaelic/Gaelic-medium settings.

The BA (Hons) Gaelic and Education is a Gaelic-medium Initial Teacher Education programme delivered within the UHI Gaelic and Related Studies Scheme (GRSS). Students undertake Years 1 and 2 of the Gaelic and Related Studies Scheme, in addition to education seminars and 9 weeks of school placement. In years 3 and 4, a combined programme of education/professional studies and GRSS modules, including 21 further weeks of placement.  The programme is designed for onsite delivery but distance learning may be possible in Years 3 and 4 with permission from the Head of Studies. In order to access school placements, distance learners in Years 3 and 4 must live within reach of schools offering Gaelic-medium education.

• Secondary teaching (Gaelic language)
• Gaelic-medium primary teaching
• Further post-graduate study opportunities

Entry to Years 1 and 2 of the GRSS, normally requires students to have 3 SQA Higher grade passes of which 3 must be at Higher Grade at grade BBC or above, including Gàidhlig (Fluent speakers) or Gaelic (Learners) at B or above. Applicants with other qualifications will also be considered.

• 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 prior to entry in order to place you on the appropriate first year course as a fluent speaker or a learner.
• In order to undertake school placements, you will be required to satisfactorily complete Disclosure Scotland procedures (PVG).
• The qualifications below are essential for primary and secondary teaching in Scotland. It is recommended that you have these qualifications before starting the programme or, at the latest, by the end of year 2 of the programme: Higher (or A level) English at grade C or above Mathematics at National 5, Standard Grade Credit, Intermediate 2 or GCSE at grade C
• 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.

There are subject specific entry guidelines for secondary teaching stipulated in GTC Scotland. These are available on  the GTC Scotland website: Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland, 2019

If you are a school leaver or are applying to multiple universities, then you must apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). This is the central admissions service for all universities and colleges of higher education in the UK. If you are not a school leaver and are only applying to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, you can contact the Registry & Admissions Office or download, complete and return the UHI application form. Contact details: Registry & Admissions Office Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Sleat Isle of Skye IV44 8RQ Tel: 01471 888304 Email:

Undergraduate, full-time
Cost per year for 120 credit module