Culture, Heritage and History BA (Hons)
Course code V90H
What is special about this course?
Combining the complementary subjects of culture and heritage with history, this joint degree covers a wide range of subjects from early history through to the modern day. You will explore culture, history, language, literature and much more, within a national and international context, preparing you for life beyond university.
As you progress through the course, you will choose from a combination of modules, equally balanced between the two disciplines. You will have the opportunity to participate in an optional museum studies module, as well as possible volunteering positions across the Highlands.
Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.
Special features
- Study culture, heritage and history in a global context
- Choose from a range of interdisciplinary subjects to suit your own interests and career path
- Gain and polish your research skills
- Study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances
- Individual modules can be studied for personal and 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
You will study the following modules.
Culture and Heritage
- Scotland: the brand OR What is culture? (S1)
- Culture. Heritage. What? OR Scotland's music (S2)
History
- What is history?
PLUS one of the following:
- A Middle Age? Europe c. 1000-1500
- People, power and protest: themes in modern British history
- Empire, environment and identity: Scotland 1600-2000
You will choose a further two option modules from a range of history, culture and heritage and other humanities subjects.
Year 2 - DipHE
You will study the following modules.
Culture and Heritage
- 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
History
- Historians and history
- A curious age: Europe 1500-1789
- Themes in American history
- Introduction to medieval and early modern Scotland
You will choose a further two option modules from a range of history, culture and heritage and other humanities subjects.
Year 3 - BA
You will study one of two core modules:
- Public history
- An interdisciplinary project
You will also study a further five options, ensuring a balance of three Culture and Heritage and three History modules.
Modules may include the following options.
Culture and Heritage
- Perceptions of heritage (S2)
- Scotland in film (S1)
- Celtic and Celtic revival art in Scotland 600-2000 (S2)
- The Scottish enlightenment and Highland society (S2)
History
- A study of things: material culture of medieval and early modern Europe
- A clash of civilisations: the Crusades, c. 1096-1198
- War and chivalry in Medieval Britain and France c1100-1400
- Queer Britannia: gender, sexuality and performative identities in Britain, 1800-1950
- Crime, custom and conflict, 1700 - 1850
Students wishing to specialise in Scottish History at Level 10 are advised to take at least one Scottish History option, plus undertake a Scottish topic for their Public History project, or two Scottish History options if they are not taking Public History.
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
You will complete a dissertation in Culture and Heritage or History. You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject, plus three option modules from the other subject.
Modules may include the following options.
Culture and Heritage
- Scottish tradition in philosophy (S1)
- Highland journeys (S2)
- Faeries and fables – the story of Gaelic literature (S1)
- Vikings and Valkyries (S2)
History
- Fight the power: music and the politics of black America
- Gender in American culture and society 1776-1917
- Lordship, colony, kingdom: the making of Ireland
- Reaching the ‘estate of manhood’ in medieval and early modern Europe
- The Norman diaspora: conquest, colonisation and assimilation
If you wish to exit with a Culture, Heritage and Scottish History degree you must undertake a Scottish History dissertation plus one further Scottish History OR, if you are undertaking a Culture & Heritage dissertation, two of the three History modules must be in Scottish History.
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.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes a weekly two-hour video conference seminar for each module, online tutor-supported study and self-directed study.
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll
- HTC
- 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.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your BA (Hons) Scottish Cultural Studies and History, you might like to consider careers in:
- Teaching
- Research
- Tourism
- Museums and archives
- Journalism and the media
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from the BA (Hons) Scottish Cultural Studies and History to the following UHI postgraduate courses:
- MLitt History of the Highlands and Islands
- MLitt Highlands and Islands Literature
- MLitt History and Archaeology of the Highlands and Islands
- MLitt Island Studies
- MLitt Viking Studies
- MLitt Scottish Heritage
- MLitt History
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Apply for Culture, Heritage and History 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.