Contemporary Art and Archaeology MA
Course code V470
What is special about this course?
This new MA programme is unique in the UK in linking the fields of contemporary art and archaeology. It encourages students to take a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to artmaking and research-led creative practice. Core modules will immerse you in an established, interdisciplinary community of practice which stretches from Orkney to the wider world. From crofting landscapes and ancient monuments to renewable energy and cutting-edge technology, the Highlands and Islands is where past, present and future meet, at the interface of the global and local.
This outward-looking MA embraces this setting by providing creative and interdisciplinary approaches to the scholarly study of material and visual culture, arts, and heritage. Specialist optional modules in both art and archaeology will allow you to build a bespoke MA which explores both the deep past of this fascinating region and plays a role in its sustainable, creative future.
This exciting course will allow you to explore, both independently and collaboratively, original and creative responses to current issues and develop your own practice as a uniquely interdisciplinary Contemporary Art and Archaeology practitioner.
Special features
- Developed and directed by a specialist team of academics and visual artists based in Orkney, allowing access to world-famous archaeology
- The only course of its kind to link contemporary art practice with archaeological study
- The course is delivered online and can, therefore, be studied from anywhere in the world
- Specialist optional modules in art and archaeology will allow you to tailor your course to your own interests
Entry requirements
- 2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject
- Students without formal qualifications, or with less than a 2:1 but with professional experience evidenced by their portfolio, will also be considered
- You will also be required to submit a portfolio with evidence of work and attend an interview either in person, by phone, VC, or Skype
Access routes
- BA (Hons) Fine Art
- BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Practices
- BA (Hons) Contemporary Film Making in the Highlands and Islands
- BA (Hons) Culture and Heritage
- BA (Hons) Archaeology
- BA (Hons) History and Archaeology
- BA (Hons) Archaeology and Literature
- BA (Hons) Archaeology and Sociology
- BSc (Hons) Archaeology and Environmental Studies
PgCert
You will study the following core module:
- Art and archaeology: contemporary theory and practice
You will also choose two option modules, one in archaeology and one in creative practice.
PgDip
You will study the following core modules:
- Contemporary art and archaeology in practice
- Research skills and methods
You will also choose one option module in either archaeology or creative practice.
MA
To achieve the award of MA you must complete a final project in contemporary art and archaeology.
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will study through supported online learning via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE). This will include a combination of video-conference lectures and tutorials available in real-time and recordings
- International students requiring a Student Route visa to study with us must be based at UHI Orkney during their studies. International students undertaking the course from their home country can study online and by video conference, in real-time or recordings
- All other students can choose to study at UHI Orkney, or from their own location studying online and by video conference in real-time or recordings
- An online induction will be offered at the start of your course
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 15 months @ 35-40 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 27 months (minimum)
- Part-time (unstructured): 6 years (maximum)
Where can I study my course?
- Orkney
You can study this fully online masters from any location. You will be enrolled and receive support from 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 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £584 | £610 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £1,752 | £1,830 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £3,504 | £3,660 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £5,256 | £5,490 |
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), studying this course on-campus or online from their home, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 (on-campus | 2024-25 (online) | 2025-26 (on-campus) | 2025-26 (online) | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £792 | £780 | £855 | £840 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £2,376 | £2,340 | £2,565 | £2,520 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £4,752 | £4,680 | £5,130 | £5,040 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £7,128 | £7,020 | £7,695 | £7,560 |
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. These students will get an automatic fee scholarship.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2025-26 | On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | With scholarship | Online study (from home country) | With scholarship |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,800 | £1,350 | £1,200 | £900 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £5,400 | £4,050 | £3,600 | £2,700 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £10,800 | £8,100 | £7,200 | £5,400 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £16,200 | £12,150 | £10,800 | £8,100 |
| 2024-25 | On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | With scholarship | Online study (from home country) | With scholarship |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,666 | £1,250 | £1,110 | £833 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £4,998 | £3,750 | £3,330 | £2,499 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £9,996 | £7,500 | £6,660 | £4,998 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £14,994 | £11,250 | £9,990 | £7,497 |
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying on-campus or online, the following fees apply:
| Qualification | On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | Online study (from home country) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,666 | £1,800 | £1,110 | £1,200 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £4,998 | £5,400 | £3,330 | £3,600 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £9,996 | £10,800 | £6,660 | £7,200 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £14,994 | £16,200 | £9,990 | £10,800 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying full-time can access loans up to £11,500 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £7,000 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500.
Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS. You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study.
Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.
Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in the creative and cultural industries. This includes roles such as museum and exhibition curating, interpretation, or pursuing your own independent career as a creative practitioner.
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from this course to the university's postgraduate research degrees, which will allow you to undertake independent research into a range of art and archaeology subjects.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Apply for Contemporary Art and Archaeology MA
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.