Programme description
Ireland, Scotland and Wales are three of the six Celtic countries. Although in each of the countries a local variety of English is spoken, they also have their own languages, fascinating cultures and rich literary traditions. The English-Celtic Studies at the AMU Faculty of English provide an opportunity to combine Celtic Studies with English Philology. Our study programme is unique on a European scale as it gives you practical knowledge of three languages: English, Irish and Welsh, together with their general literary and linguistic backgrounds, and the specialist knowledge and skills necessary to understand and interpret issues related to contemporary Celtic cultures, primarily those present in the English-speaking areas: Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall and the Isle of Man, but also the culture of Brittany.
The curriculum includes: intense Practical English course up to at least C1 level (according to CEFR), elements of English Studies (history, literature), practical Welsh up to at least B1 level and practical Irish up to at least A2 level, the cultures and histories of Celtic countries, film studies, sociolinguistic topics, and literature classes where you will encounter not only Celtic mythology and its stories which have inspired modern fantasy writers but also classical and contemporary British and Irish literature. All subjects within the three-year undergraduate programme are taught through the medium of English.
English-Celtic Studies opens the door to understanding the linguistic and cultural complexity of the UK and Ireland. It will help you pursue your language passions and provide you with skills and social competencies that are highly valued on the labour market. The programme allows you to explore an enormous variety of subjects, helps develop your interpersonal, communication, teamwork and presentation skills, and encourages you to engage in research, cultural, artistic and social activities.
Example of courses
- English as a Foreign Language: Writing, Phonetics, Grammar, Communication Practice, Integrated Skills, Public Speaking
- Welsh as a Foreign Language
- Irish as a Foreign Language
- Introduction to Celtic Studies
- History of British Literature
- Contemporary Welsh literature in Welsh and English
- Irish Literature
- History and Culture of Ireland
- Welsh and Irish Film Studies
- Introduction to Translation
Graduate competencies
- Fluency and advanced skills in English at level C1/C2, crucial in the job market;
- Being able to produce high-quality written work and deliver professional oral presentations in English;
- Elementary knowledge of two Celtic languages, Welsh and Irish, to a level enabling further education and specialising in these languages, e.g., as a translator;
- In-depth knowledge of the cultures, literatures and history of the UK and the Celtic nations;
- Understanding the cultural diversity of the United Kingdom and Ireland and the complex identity of their inhabitants;
- Understanding issues related to minoritized and endangered languages in Europe and around the world, readiness to support linguistic and cultural diversity;
- Solid preparation for cooperation with research institutions, educational institutions, and companies, as well as participation in cultural and scientific life.
Career prospects
The English-Celtic Philology undergraduate program provides a foundation for future careers in areas such as:
- Language teaching,
- Translation services, literary translation,
- Publishing,
- Business careers requiring fluency in English and an in-depth knowledge about English-speaking countries,
- Careers in the media in Poland and abroad,
- Working for scientific, educational, and cultural institutions.
The competencies provided by the English-Celtic studies also open up opportunities for gaining professional experience in Ireland and Wales, as employees literate in Irish or Welsh and equipped with specialist knowledge about these languages are highly sought after on the market, e.g. in the public sector, education, the media, and NGOs.