What is special about this course?
With world-renowned archaeological heritage sites such as Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Camster Cairns and Mousa Broch, what better place could there be to study archaeology than in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland?
Our BA (Hons) Archaeology is closely linked to the distinctive cultural heritage of Scotland, but also places all of that within a much broader global context.
The degree will provide you with a detailed understanding of the practice of archaeology. You will also develop your own practical skills in archaeology through hands on experience and archaeological placements.
You will receive research-led teaching from lecturers engaged in world-class research on projects from the Scottish Islands, the UK and Ireland, to the Atlantic region and Polynesia.
There is a strong emphasis on developing archaeological skills in a number of areas including: field archaeology (for example, excavation and survey); environmental archaeology (for example, zooarchaeology, archaeobotany and osteoarchaeology), together with digital archaeology, such as photogrammetry; and archaeological illustration.
Dig in deep to discover more….
Special features
- A highly practical course focusing on necessary ‘on-the-job’ skills such as surveying, fieldwork and post-excavation practices
- Our studies are linked to the distinctive cultural heritage of Scotland – what learning experience could be richer?
- You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
Entry to year one:
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, or
- 2 A levels at grade BC or above
- At least two should be from the list of relevant academic subjects.
- Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
Advanced entry to year two:
- HNC Social Science (12 SCQF credits) with 3 additional SCQF credits at level 7, which is equivalent to 120 degree credit points, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit will be considered for direct entry to year two
Access routes
- The satisfactory completion of our Archaeology and Local Studies access course.
Relevant Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP):
- Access to: Arts and Humanities (Newbattle Abbey College)
- Access to: Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Teaching (Edinburgh College)
- Access to: Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Teaching (North East Scotland College)
- Access to: Celtic Studies incorporating Primary Education with Gaelic (Newbattle Abbey College)
- Access to: Community, Education and Humanities (Dundee & Angus College)
- Access to: Degree Studies (Forth Valley College)
- Access to: Humanities (Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Education) (Fife College)
- Access to: Humanities (Fife College)
- Access to: Humanities (Perth College UHI)
- Access to: Languages with Business (Edinburgh College)
- Access to: Languages, Arts and Social Sciences (Edinburgh College)
- Access to: University Study (Dundee & Angus College)
- NQ Access to: Social Sciences (West Lothian College)
- NQ Access to: Teaching (West Lothian College)
Year 1 - CertHE
Core modules are:
- Archaeological theory and method
- World archaeology
- Historic landscapes
You will also choose three option modules which may include:
- Science and archaeology
- European prehistories
- One module from our range of humanities subjects
Year 2 - DipHE
Core modules are:
- Excavation skills: normally taken during the Summer vacation prior to the commencement of year two, at a site location off-campus. You will be responsible for covering the costs of any travel and subsistence associated with your participation in this two-week module
- Scottish archaeology
- Digital heritage
- Managing archaeology for contemporary society
You will also choose two option modules which may include: wetland archaeology; and one from our range of humanities subjects
Year 3 - BA
Core modules are:
- Archaeology and interpretation
- Archaeology project
- Archaeological sciences
You will also choose:
- One or both from: pre-history of the Highlands and Islands and historical archaeology of the Highlands and Islands
- Plus further option modules from either archaeology or our range of humanities subjects
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
Core modules are:
- Sustainability past and present
- Dissertation (archaeology)
You will study an additional three modules from the list of options below; availability rotates each year and is dependent on minimum numbers:
- Funerary and burial archaeology
- Maritime archaeology and heritage of Northern Scotland
- The Iron Age of Scotland c800BC-800AD
- Peoples, plants and animals
- Vikings and Norse archaeology
- Neolithic Scotland
- Landscape archaeology
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference seminars, as well as online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE) with support from your tutors and student advisor
- For more information, or if you have any questions about studying archaeology at the University of the Highlands and Islands, please contact us at: studyarchaeology@uhi.ac.uk
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 35 hours per week
- Part-time: 8 years @ 12 to 18 hours per week
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
Start date
- September
- January (in some campuses and for part-time study only)
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland or the European Union/EEA (outside of the UK) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
Degrees | 2018-19 | 2019-20* |
---|---|---|
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £645 | £645 |
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £215 | £215 |
*The Home-Scotland/EU fee rate is set by the Scottish Government and will be confirmed by March 2019.
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:
Level | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | |
---|---|---|---|
Full-time | Full-time | ||
Year 1 | CertHE | £9,000 | £9,000 |
Year 2 | DipHE | £9,000 | £9,000 |
Year 3 | Degree | £9,000 | £9,000 |
Year 4 | Honours | free** | free** |
**4th year free only for students studying full-time who have paid for the previous 3 years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,500 (2018-19 and 2019-20).
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living whilst studying.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
2018-19 | 2019-20 | |
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £11,100 | £11,650 |
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year** | £5,550 | £5,820 |
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module)** | £1,850 | £1,940 |
**There is no part-time study option for Tier 4 sponsored international students.
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time RUK and International undergraduate students for continuous and contiguous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact your enrolling college for more information.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have completed your BA (Hons) Archaeology degree you might like to consider careers in:
- Archaeological contract units
- Consultancy
- Archives and museums
- Government agencies and local authorities
- Media and politics
- Tourism and heritage management
- Teaching
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from the BA (Hons) Archaeology to the following postgraduate courses:
- MSc Archaeological Practice
- MLitt Archaeological Studies
- MLitt Highlands and Islands Culture
- MLitt History of the Highlands and Islands
- MLitt History and Archaeology of the Highlands and Islands
- MLitt Orkney and Shetland Studies
- MLitt Viking Studies
- A range of research degrees in archaeology (we offer MRes, MPhil and PhD)
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.