The BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development degree will give you work skills that are highly sought-after in Scotland, giving you the best chance in a growing jobs market for Gaelic language policy expertise and community and network development. Drawing on international comparisons, the course looks at how Gaelic and its communities and networks can be strengthened. In the honours year, you can study for one semester at a university in Canada or Ireland.

The BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development degree aims to provide you with an education and training in Gaelic language policy expertise and community development. This is a growing area in the Gaelic jobs market, with the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 placing statutory requirements on agencies to produce Gaelic plans devised by skilled language officers. You will compare Gaelic and its communities with minority languages and cultures elsewhere, in Ireland, Wales, mainland Europe, Scandinavia and North America.

• Community development and language development
• Public administration
• Education
• Postgraduate study and research

There are a growing number of jobs in Scotland where Gaelic is necessary or an advantage, both in the public and private sector. The skills you’ll learn while you’re at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig mean you’ll be ideally placed to take advantage of the many new job opportunities appearing in the Gaelic world today – in the media, education, public services, culture and heritage, the arts, translation, Gaelic development and community groups. As a student of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig you will get the chance to go on work placement during your first year of study which will greatly help your all-round language skills as well as develop your practical and work skills. We aim to match students to relevant, suitable placement, in rural areas where the language is strong, as well as in more urban settings where Gaelic has a major presence such as Glasgow, the base for organisations such as the BBC, and Edinburgh, home of the Scottish Parliament. Information on current vacancies and further career opportunities and placement schemes for Gaelic students can be found on the Comann na Gàidhlig website

• 3 SQA Higher passes at grades B, B and C or above, including Gàidhlig (fluent speakers) or Gaelic (learners) at B or above; or
• other equivalent qualifications subject to the discretion of the Course/Programme Leader.

You will be interviewed in order to determine which first year language course best meets your needs, depending on your spoken language abilities on entry. Students without an SQA pass in Gaelic must satisfy the college of their ability in Gaelic.

For applicants with little or no previous knowledge of Gaelic, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig offers An Cùrsa Inntrigidh, a distance learning course which aims to prepare students for entry to year one of the degree programme. The placement module is a core module on this course, and a PVG will be required should the student choose to undertake their placement at a school or other childcare establishment.

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. For those applying from overseas, UCAS forms will be available from the British Council. All prospective international students can also downlaod, complete and return the UHI international students application form.

Contact details:

Registry & Admissions Office Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Sleat Isle of Skye IV44 8RQ Tel: 01471 888304 Email:

Useful information for applying through UCAS:

Institution Name: HIP Code: H49 Campus: K