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.

Students eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP) will be able to apply for entry to BA (Hons) Archaeology with a grade profile of BBC in one of the below courses and 8 units passed at SCQF level 6:

• 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

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:

The Scottish/EU fee rate is set by the Scottish Government and will be confirmed by March 2020.

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:

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) - £1,500.

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 while 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:

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring a Tier 4 visa 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 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.