Gaelic Access Summer School
AWARD: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig certificateSTUDY MODE: On-campus
DURATION: 7 weeks
CODE:
COURSE LEADER: Dr Timothy Currie Armstrong
COURSE CONTACT: Eilidh Grant ( )
DESCRIPTION
Are you interested in Gaelic, but didn’t get the opportunity to study it at school? Would you like to earn a degree in Gaelic, or make a career change?
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s Gaelic Access Summer School is a fully funded seven-week intensive bridging course aimed at complete beginners that leads directly into our popular one-year Gaelic immersion course: CertHE An Cùrsa Comais.
From there, you can continue on to do a DipHE Gaelic and Related Studies, a BA (Hons) Gaelic and Traditional Music, a BA (Hons) Gaelic and Education, or a BA (Hons) Gaelic with Development. After An Cùrsa Comais, students can also apply to the DipHE Gaelic Media course or the PGDE Gaelic Education if they already hold a suitable degree and meet entry requirements.
COURSE CONTENT
Starting on 30.06.2025, in this intensive seven-week Gaelic Access Summer School, you will spend up to 30 hours a week studying all aspects of the language, preparing you to join CertHE An Cùrsa Comais and our degree pathways from September 2025.
Course participants will have the opportunity to take part in a lively programme of summer language and cultural activities at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s campus in the Isle of Skye.
The course will cover:
- Gaelic pronunciation;
- speaking;
- reading;
- writing;
- Gaelic in Scotland today.
Submit an Enquiry Form
If you are interested in the Gaelic Access Summer School, please complete the enquiry form below. Applicants will also need a provisional acceptance on An Cùrsa Comais before commencing on the Gaelic Access Summer School. Please contact if you have any questions.
Enquiry Form - Gaelic Access Summer School
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants to the Gaelic Access Summer School must be ordinarily resident in the UK.
Applicants will be interviewed (in English) prior to acceptance on the course, and again at the end of the course (in Gaelic) prior to continuing with CertHE An Cùrsa Comais.
The entry requirements for CertHE An Cùrsa Comais are as follows:
- 3 SQA Higher passes at grades BBC or above; or
- other equivalent qualifications subject to the discretion of the Programme Leader.
An SQA Higher pass in a modern language other than Gaelic is desirable, but not required.
Those who wish to continue their studies on the BA (Hons) Gaelic and Traditional Music degree are also required to audition with the head of the music programme.
Those who wish to continue their studies on the BA (Hons) Gaelic and Education degree are also required to attend an interview with the head of the education programme.
You can also graduate from CertHE An Cùrsa Comais as a standalone one-year route to fluency.
CERTIFICATE
After successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of achievement from Shabal Mòr Ostaig before proceeding to An Cùrsa Comais.
FEES
This course is fully funded for 12 students. Fees, food and accommodation for seven weeks will be paid as part of the course.
An Cùrsa Drochaid 2025 is subject to confirmation of external funding.
AFTER THE COURSE
Alumni of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, go on to exciting careers in teaching, music, broadcasting, Gaelic and community development, research, public policy, arts and literature, and much more. The Gaelic Access Summer School is your first step to a successful career in Gaelic.
