Archaeology and Theology BA (Hons)
Course code V40T
What is special about this course?
Most of our humanities subjects can be studied as joint honours as well as single honours. Joint honours programmes give you the opportunity to combine two subjects, which complement your interests or career goals. You will usually concentrate on both subjects equally. It can be possible to transfer between single and joint honours options, usually during your first or second year, and advice will be available from your personal academic tutor.
This joint degree covers:
- Archaeology: exploration of a range of archaeological skills such as fieldwork, surveying and post-excavation, mapped to the current occupational standards for archaeology
- Theology: the study of the main disciplines of Christian theology
Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.
Special features
- Opportunity to gain ‘on-the-job’ skills such as surveying, fieldwork and post excavation
- Our studies are linked to the distinctive cultural heritage of the Highlands and Islands region within a global context
- 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 Science (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
Core modules are:
- Archaeological theory and method
- Introduction to systematic theology
- Protestant Reformation
You will also choose two archaeology option module, which may include:
- Historic landscapes
- World archaeology
- European prehistories
- Archaeology and the lab (subject to validation)
plus one theology option module, which may include:
- Jesus and the Gospels
- The Pentateuch
- Understanding worship
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
- Early church history
You will choose two archaeology option modules, which may include:
- Scottish archaeology
- Digital heritages
- Managing archaeology for contemporary society
- Wetland archaeology (subject to validation)
Plus two theology option modules, which may include:
- Old testament prophecy
- Person and work of Christ
- Pauline theology
- Exploring other faiths
Year 3 - BA
Core modules are:
- Archaeology and interpretation
- Archaeological sciences
- Theological studies project
You will choose one archaeology option module, which may include:
- Pre-history of the Highlands and Islands
- Historical archaeology of the Highlands and Islands
- Archaeology project
- Practical environmental archaeology (subject to validation)
plus two theology option modules, which may include:
- Christian spirituality: an overview
- Hebrews
- Scottish church history
- Wisdom literature
- Doctrine of God
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
You will complete a dissertation in archaeology or literature. You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject plus three option modules from the other subject.
Archaeology option modules may include:
- Sustainability past and present
- Vikings and Norse archaeology in the North Atlantic
- Funerary and burial archaeology
- Maritime archaeology and heritage of Northern Scotland
- Landscape archaeology
- Neolithic Orkney
- The Iron Age of Scotland c800BC-800AD
- Peoples, plants and animals
Theology modules may include:
- Christian ethics
- Hermeneutics
- The Holy Spirit and the word
- Luke-Acts
- Medieval church history
- Psalms
- Guided reading
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 archaeology fieldwork and project work.
- 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 - you may choose to study at Dingwall or Paisley, subject to availability
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides
- Orkney
- Shetland
- This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the world
- Students based near to one of the listed campuses should apply to, and be enrolled and supported by, their local campus
- All other students should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, UHI Orkney
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.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 the UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,120 | £6,420 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,020 | £1,070 |
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK studying online from their home country, or living in the UK but assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:
This includes EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK and EEA and Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,960 | £7,080 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,160 | £1,180 |
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
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 degree you might like to consider careers in:
- Archaeological contract units
- Consultancy
- Churches, missionary societies and agencies
- Archives and museums
- Government agencies and local authorities
- Tourism and heritage management
- Teaching
- Research
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from the BA (Hons) Archaeology and Theology to the following postgraduate courses or to postgraduate research:
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I was taught by an enthusiastic and supportive team of specialists who make students feel valued and cared for. I have never experienced such a supportive and welcoming learning environment. I undertook a student placement in Aberdeen to study osteoarchaeology. It was an amazing opportunity for learning and networking that opened up a lot of new doors for me in the coming years.
My favourite things about UHI are its community, its approachability and its heartfelt dedication to students. Orkney is an enchanting place, out of this world. The sea, the ancient landscape, the people are what makes this place unique. The peace and quiet are some of the best things about living on the islands.
Francesca studied Archaeology at UHI Orkney.
Apply for Archaeology and Theology BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.