Celtic Studies

Undergraduate Program

Introduction to the Major

The Celtic Studies major is designed to give students both a broad understanding of the place of Celtic languages and cultures, and a firm grounding in one or more Celtic languages. We offer language instruction in Modern Irish and Modern Welsh. The Celtic Studies major has an innovative linkage of language and literature-in-translation courses intended to allow students maximum flexibility in pursuing their studies.

Additional Options 

  • Celtic Studies accepts freshmen and transfer students.
  • Already have an intended major but interested in Celtic Studies? Consider a Celtic minor or double major. Our students have also studied Computer Science, Linguistics, History, Anthropology.

Amplify Your Major

UC Berkeley's is the first degree-granting Celtic Studies program in North America, starting in 1911.
Celtic Studies Program

Four-Year Student Timeline

First Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Second Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

  • Sign up for the Celtic Studies email list and start attending department events. 

  • Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.

  • Explore resources from the Irish Studies Program.

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Third Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Fourth Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

  • Teach your own DeCal course

  • Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.

  • Apply for the European Studies Undergraduate Paper Prize.

  • Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

What Can I Do With My Major?

Jobs and Employers

  • Bank of Ireland
  • Independent Filmmaker
  • Professor, Swansea University 

Graduate Programs

  • Archaeology, PhD Oxford University
  • Celtic Languages & Literatures, PhD Harvard University
  • Comparative Literature, PhD UCLA
  • English, PhD Yale University

Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.

Learn More

Connect With Us

Cal Day

Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.

Golden Bear Orientation

Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.

Events

Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit celtic.berkeley.edu for news and updates.

Advising

Students can drop in to 6303A Dwinelle Hall to speak with an advisor or email questions to issaug@berkeley.edu

Advising Drop-In Hours

Monday - Friday  8:30am-5pm

Visit celtic.berkeley.edu for more information, including all major and minor requirements.

How to Use this Map

Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.