Frequently Asked Questions

Celtic Studies is a wide-ranging field with areas of study relevant to those interested in anthropology, linguistics, creative writing, history, book history, folklore, literature, medieval studies, and digital humanities – just to name a few! By pursuing a degree in Celtic Studies, not only will you develop the critical thinking and analytic skills that are part of the training for a degree in the humanities, but you will do so using source material that is still relatively under-studied. So while you could leave the Program with a neat party trick in addition to your degree (like the ability to pronounce the longest Welsh placename:  Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch) much more importantly, over the course of your work you may study or research something that very few people have considered before; your work could make a new and unique contribution to the field.

Celtic Studies students can be first year admits or transfer students; no prior knowledge of Celtic languages is required. Celtic Studies students can also be double-majors. Frequent pairings with Celtic Studies for double-majors include Linguistics, English, History, and Anthropology.

There are also enrollment options available to non-UC Berkeley students. Further information is available here.

Class sizes are generally small, averaging 16–20 students, so you will get to know your peers and your instructors. The class sizes mean your instructors will be able to give you more attention than you might get in larger classes. Statistics from CalAnswers.

Yes! In addition to Celtic Studies courses, students can take classes in History, Scandinavian, Linguistics, and occasionally Comparative Literature. Details about what classes count towards the major are available here. Students can also study abroad – there are programs available for studying in Ireland, Scotland, and England, as well as independent options for studying in other countries such as Wales. Further information on study abroad options is available here.

The knowledge and skills you gain with a Celtic Studies degree are applicable to a variety of careers, both academic and non-academic. Celtic Studies majors and minors have gone on to medical school and law school, and to careers in documentary film-making, computer programming, literary publishing, banking, and teaching at the high school and university levels. Graduates have also gone on to graduate school in related fields at institutions such as Harvard, Yale, UCLA, Cambridge, Oxford, St Andrews, Aberystwyth University, and NUI Galway. For more information on career paths with Celtic Studies see the major map.