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University of Oxford: Celtic Studies
| Institution | University of Oxford |
|---|---|
| Department | Interdepartmental |
| Web | http://www.ox.ac.uk/study |
| graduate.admissions@admin.ox.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | +44 (0)1865 270059 |
| Study type | Taught |
MSt
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
The MSt in Celtic Studies is a taught course exploring the languages, literature, and culture of Celtic-speaking peoples. It includes core language study, optional papers, a dissertation, and a modern Celtic language component.
This is a nine-month course designed to help those who already possess a good knowledge of Welsh, Irish or another Celtic language to acquire a grounding in areas of Celtic studies which were not part of their first degree course. Alternatively, it can be a path for those who wish to deepen their knowledge in a particular area of Celtic studies.
The MSt in Celtic Studies provides an appropriate introduction for you if you are contemplating higher research in a DPhil or PhD programme in this area.
Generally, student numbers in the MSt are relatively small and this allows the teaching to be tailored to the particular choice you may make.
Teaching for the course is shared among three faculties, English, History and Linguistics. Faculty members who have previously taught on the course and have particular expertise in Celtic topics include Prof David Willis (course director; Celtic linguistics, Welsh language and culture); Prof Mark Williams (medieval Irish and Welsh literature; modern reception of Celtic literature); Jenyth Evans (medieval Irish literature); Prof Gillian Ramchand (Scottish Gaelic syntax); Dr Nora Baker (Irish language instructor); and Dr Hanna Hopwood Griffiths (Welsh language instructor).
Opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange are provided by the communities fostered within individual colleges, which also offer you dedicated support by means of personal advisors. The Oxford Centre for Research in the Humanities (TORCH) offers a stimulating range of interdisciplinary activities.
Course structure Teaching is provided through a mixture of classes and tutorials.
You will take one core course, two options courses, and you will write a dissertation.
The core course will provide an introduction to the medieval Celtic languages through the close study of texts in class. Other areas are taught through tutorials which may be supplemented by lecture series.
You will write a dissertation on an approved topic normally arising from one of the options studied, and you will also be required to develop a reading knowledge of a modern Celtic language which you have not previously studied at degree level.
A weekly Celtic research seminar brings all students together with talks by invited, mainly external speakers, run jointly in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, Aberystwyth.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
The MSt in Celtic Studies is designed to give you the opportunity to concentrate on the study of aspects of the history and culture of Celtic-speaking peoples from antiquity to the present day. Options in language, literature and linguistics form the core of the degree, while a range of optional subjects in these areas and beyond is also available. The MSt in Celtic Studies is suitable both for students wishing to proceed to a research degree and for those who wish to spend only one year at Oxford.
This is a nine-month course designed to help those who already possess a good knowledge of Welsh, Irish or another Celtic language to acquire a grounding in areas of Celtic studies which were not part of their first degree course. Alternatively, it can be a path for those who wish to deepen their knowledge in a particular area of Celtic studies.
The MSt in Celtic Studies provides an appropriate introduction for you if you are contemplating higher research in a DPhil or PhD programme in this area.
Course structure You will take one core course, which will provide an introduction to the medieval Celtic languages through the close study of texts in class.
Other areas are taught through tutorials which may be supplemented by lecture series. A weekly Celtic research seminar brings all students together with talks by invited, mainly external speakers, run jointly in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, Aberystwyth.
You will take two papers, either two options from a choice of:
-
Celtic linguistics;
-
medieval Irish literature; or
-
Welsh literature
or
- one option from the subjects listed above and one paper on a special subject to be chosen from each year's course handbook.
You will write a dissertation on an approved topic normally arising from one of the options studied, and you will also be required to develop a reading knowledge of a modern Celtic language which you have not previously studied at degree level.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Master of Philosophy - MPhil
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
The MPhil in Celtic Studies is a taught course exploring the history, languages, and cultures of Celtic-speaking peoples. It includes core and special options, language study, and a dissertation developed from chosen topics.
This two-year course is normally restricted to those who have taken a first degree in a relevant subject area; however, it is also suitable for students with no previous background in Celtic, but with sufficient linguistic ability to acquire grounding in Welsh and/or Irish quickly.
Options in language, literature and linguistics form the core of the degree, while a range of optional subjects in these areas and beyond is also available. The MPhil in Celtic Studies is suitable if you wish to proceed to a research degree or if you would like to spend only two years at Oxford on a free-standing degree.
Course structure You will take a core course which introduces the medieval Celtic languages through the close study of texts in class, while other areas are taught through tutorials which may be supplemented by lecture series. A weekly Celtic research seminar brings all students together with talks by invited, mainly external speakers, run jointly in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, Aberystwyth. You will take one or two core options from a choice.
You will write a dissertation that typically arises out of one of the options studied; and will also be required to develop a reading knowledge of a modern Celtic language which you have not previously studied at degree level.
Generally, student numbers in the MPhil are relatively small and this allows the teaching to be tailored to the particular choice you may make. Teaching is provided through a mixture of classes and tutorials.
Teaching for the course is shared among three faculties; English, History and Linguistics. Faculty members who have previously taught on the course and have particular expertise in Celtic topics include Prof David Willis (course director; Celtic linguistics, Welsh language and culture); Prof Mark Williams (medieval Irish and Welsh literature; modern reception of Celtic literature); Jenyth Evans (medieval Irish literature); Prof Gillian Ramchand (Scottish Gaelic syntax); Dr Nora Baker (Irish language instructor); and Dr Hanna Hopwood Griffiths (Welsh language instructor).
Opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange are provided by the communities fostered within individual colleges, which also offer you dedicated support by means of personal advisors. The Oxford Centre for Research in the Humanities (TORCH) offers a stimulating range of interdisciplinary activities.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
The MPhil in Celtic Studies is designed to give you the opportunity to concentrate on the study of aspects of the history and culture of Celtic-speaking peoples from antiquity to the present day.
Options in language, literature and linguistics form the core of the degree, while a range of optional subjects in these areas and beyond is also available. The MPhil in Celtic Studies is suitable if you wish to proceed to a research degree or if you would like to spend only two years at Oxford on a free-standing degree.
This two-year course is normally restricted to those who have taken a first degree in a relevant subject area; however, it is also suitable for students with no previous background in Celtic, but with sufficient linguistic ability to acquire grounding in Welsh and/or Irish quickly.
Course structure You will take a core course which introduces the medieval Celtic languages through the close study of texts in class, while other areas are taught through tutorials which may be supplemented by lecture series. A weekly Celtic research seminar brings all students together with talks by invited, mainly external speakers, run jointly in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, Aberystwyth.
You will take one or two core options, from a choice of:
-
Celtic linguistics;
-
Welsh literature; or
-
medieval Irish literature.
You will also take one or two special options, which may develop one of these areas in more depth; or may be another ancient or modern Celtic language and its associated culture; or may be on a historical or other relevant topic.
You will write a dissertation that typically arises out of one of the options studied; and will also be required to develop a reading knowledge of a modern Celtic language which you have not previously studied at degree level.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
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