Culture, Heritage and Archaeology BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

This joint degree gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in both the cultural and physical identities of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. As well as exploring the fascinating and varied cultural heritage of the region, you will also acquire the practical skills required for archaeological fieldwork, surveying and post-excavation.

Archaeology is closely linked to the distinctive cultural heritage of the Highlands and Islands as well as wider Scotland, and you will develop a wealth of skills in both disciplines through your studies and fieldwork. Your research skills will be refined throughout the course, enhancing your career prospects as well as equipping you for progression to postgraduate study.

Special features

• Study Highlands and Islands culture, heritage and archaeology in a global context
• Undertake highly practical modules, allowing you to develop 'on-the-job' skills needed by the modern archaeologist
• Choose from a range of interdisciplinary subjects to suit your own interests and career path
• Study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances
• Study individual modules for personal and 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 Sciences (12 SQA credits) with 3 additional SQA 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

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.

Year 1 - CertHE

Culture and heritage

You will study two core modules:

• Scotland: the brand OR What is culture? (S1)
• Culture. Heritage. What? OR Scotland's music (S2)

Archaeology

You will study two core modules:

• Archaeological theory and method AND one of the following:
• Historic landscapes
• World archaeology
• European prehistories
• Archaeology and the lab (subject to validation)

You will also choose two option modules from across the university's humanities portfolio.

Year 2 - DipHE

Culture and heritage

You will study one core module:

• Tradition, custom and belief OR Folklore (S1)

PLUS one of the following (S2):

• Golden mead and burning hearts
• Languages on the edge
• Displaying the past: museum studies

Archaeology:

You will study one core module:

• 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

PLUS one of the following:

• Scottish archaeology
• Managing archaeology for contemporary society
• Digital heritage

You will also choose two option modules from across the university's humanities portfolio.

Year 3 - BA

Culture and heritage

You will study one core module:

• Interdisciplinary project (S1) (you can substitute this module for one from the list below if you choose to take the archaeology project option)

PLUS two options which may include:

• Perceptions of heritage (S2)
• Celtic and Celtic revival art in Scotland 600-2000 (S2)
• Scotland in film (S1)
• The Scottish Enlightenment and Highland society* (S2)
• People and the natural environment* (S2)

* modules run on alternate years

Archaeology

You will study two core modules:

• Archaeological sciences
• Archaeology and interpretation

Plus one of the following:

• Pre-history of the highlands and islands
• Historical archaeology of the highlands and islands
• Project (archaeology)
• Practical environmental archaeology (subject to validation)

You will also choose one option module from across the range of humanities subjects.

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete a dissertation in culture and heritage or archaeology. You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject, plus three option modules from the other subject.

Culture and heritage

• Scottish tradition in philosophy (S1)
• Faeries and fables: the story of Gaelic literature (S1)
• Highland journeys (S2)
• Vikings and Valkyries (S2)

Archaeology

• Funerary and burial archaeology
• Maritime archaeology and heritage of Northern Scotland
• Iron Age of Scotland c. 800 BC - 800 AD  
• Vikings and Norse archaeology in the North Atlantic
• Landscape archaeology
• Neolithic Orkney
• Sustainability past and present

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.

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) - £1,542.

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 4^th 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.

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:

Part-time study is not open to international students 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.

Funding

External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant university partner college for more information.