Archaeology BA (Hons)
Course code V400
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….
Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.
*subject to revalidation
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
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 Sciences (12 SQA credits) with 3 additional SQA credits at level 7, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit, will be considered for direct entry to year two
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
- Alternatively, the satisfactory completion of our Archaeology and Local Studies access course
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 (residential): should be taken in semester 2 of year 2, as well as a compulsory field school in the summer, at a site location off-campus
- 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 scheduled video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors. There is normally a weekly two-hour timetabled video conference lecture for each module. You will also undertake practical fieldwork and project work.
- International students requiring a Student Route visa to study in the UK should apply to UHI Orkney and must be based there during their studies.
- For more information, or if you have any questions about studying archaeology at UHI, 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?
- Argyll
- HTC
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides
- Orkney
- Perth
- Shetland
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Degrees | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:
| Level | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Level | 2023-24 Full-time | With scholarship | 2024-25 | With scholarship | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £13,980 | £10,980 | £14,988 | £11,988 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £13,980 | £10,980 | £14,988 | £11,988 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £13,980 | £10,980 | £14,988 | £11,988 |
| Year 4 | Honours | £13,980 | free | £14,988 | free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.
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:
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £13,980 | £14,988 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £6,990 | £7,494 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,330 | £2,498 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Rest of the UK, EU/EEA and international students studying online
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland), EU/EEA or Switzerland and international students, without a term-time address in Scotland, ie studying from their home country, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | Rest of the UK/EU | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,120 | £6,960 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,020 | £1,160 |
| 2023-24 | Rest of the UK/EU | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,120 | £6,540 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,020 | £1,090 |
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
You will be responsible for covering the costs of any travel and accommodation associated in your participation in the field schools
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 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.
The university is a modern institution that puts Highland history at the forefront of its efforts, rather than relegating it to a provincial interest. I have had opportunity to work on excavation of Dùn Naomhaig (Dunyvaig) castle in Islay. This was a dream come true. My time spent volunteering in Orkney not only gave me the archaeological skillset to get involved in this project, but provided a practical background from which I could broaden my understanding of the new site. Having just begun planning my dissertation centred on the Lordship of the Isles, this knowledge has already proven incredibly useful in informing my view of them.
Duncan Foxley is in his third year of the BA (Hons) Archaeology and Scottish History at our UHI Orkney campus.
I graduated with a first-class honours in Archaeology in October 2019, by which time I had taken a huge leap of faith and moved my family to Orkney to undertake the MSc in Archaeological Practice at UHI Orkney. Unfortunately, as with everyone else in the world, Covid-19 has had an impact my plans, however I’m close to finishing my dissertation and am on track for a distinction. The kids have settled really well and everyone agrees it was the best decision we could have made.
Studying with this university was the best thing I’ve ever done. The online facilities which make a wide variety of courses available to people in rural areas, allowed me to discover a subject I love, and the fantastic staff supported me throughout. It gave me confidence in my own abilities and the opportunity to change the lives of our family undoubtedly for the better.
I’d absolutely urge anyone thinking about studying to go for it. I can’t tell you it’s easy, but it’s definitely worthwhile.
Mandy Dailly graduated with a first-class honours in Archaeology from UHI West Highland in October 2019 before progressing onto the MSc in Archaeological Practice at UHI Orkney.
The course content was probably the main thing that made it right for me, but the class sizes were important as well. I had a slight fear of having to sit in a big lecture hall, but with VC classes you don’t have that. I had considered other universities but the course content offered here was closer to what I wanted to study. My advice would be to have fun, get to know other people on your course, and never be afraid to ask for help.
Lucy Brayson, BA (Hons) Archaeology student.
Apply for Archaeology BA (Hons)
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