Philosophy and Sociology BA (Hons)

Course code V5PS

What is special about this course?

The BA (Hons) Philosophy and Sociology covers a range of approaches. Sociology investigates the dynamics of the social world we live in. Philosophy is an in-depth study of the development of the Western intellectual tradition.

Philosophy seeks to understand, and particularly to question, ideas concerning the nature of reality, value and experience that play a pervasive role in understanding the world and ourselves. The philosophy discipline focuses on problematic concepts, such as existence, reason and truth, which occur in every sphere of human enquiry, but more specifically on problematic concepts that belong to particular areas of thought and practice, such as politics, economics, religion, science and ethics.

Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.

Special features

  • The joint honours degree in two complementary subjects gives you greater flexibility in employment, advanced study and research opportunities
  • The degree can be studied full time or part time to suit your personal circumstances
  • You can study individual modules for personal or professional development

Entry requirements

  • 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above OR
  • 2 A levels at grade BC or above
  • At least two of these must be from the list of relevant subjects
  • Other humanities or Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP) will also be considered
  • Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
  • This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

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.

Philosophy

  • Thinking and writing for study, work and life (S1)
  • Problems in philosophy (S2)

Sociology

  • Understanding the social world (S1)
  • Making social lives: the Highlands and Islands (S1)

Plus, two additional Humanities modules that are available as scheme options.

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following modules.

Philosophy

Two from the list below:

  • Knowledge: a philosophical analysis (S1)
  • Moral philosophy (S2)
  • Anthropology of religion (S2)

Sociology

  • Sociology theory: continuity and change (S1)
  • Beliefs, culture and community (S2)

Plus, two additional Humanities modules that are available as scheme options.

Year 3 - BA

You will study the following modules.

Philosophy

  • Philosophy of religion (S1)
  • Philosophy of science (S2)
  • Continental philosophy (S2)

Sociology

Three from the list below:

  • Work and society (S1)
  • Advanced social research methods (S2)
  • Sociology: contemporary Scottish issues (S2)
  • Gender, crime and justice (S2)

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete a dissertation in Philosophy or Sociology. You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject, plus three option modules from the other subject.

Philosophy

Modules may include:

  • Scottish tradition in philosophy (S1)
  • Neurons, brains, and minds: a philosophical investigation (S2)
  • Existential philosophy and literature (S2)

Sociology

Modules may include:

  • Insiders and outsiders in society (S2)
  • Visual research (subject to numbers)
  • Restorative justice, ideas and values (S2) 

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
  • Part-time (unstructured): variable

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
  • Perth
  • 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, Highland Theological College (HTC)

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.
  2023-24 2024-25
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:

  2023-24 2024-25
Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) £6,120 £6,120
Part-time online (per 20 credit module) £1,020 £1,020

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.

  2023-24 2024-25
Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) £6,540 £6,960
Part-time online (per 20 credit module) £1,090 £1,160

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?

Philosophy and Sociology graduates are found working in almost every type of employer in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Opportunities are available in arts-based areas like publishing, the media, journalism, advertising and teaching, through to computing and IT. 

Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in:

  • local government and the civil service
  • advertising, marketing and public relations agencies
  • management consultancies
  • secondary schools, further education colleges and higher education institutions
  • law firms
  • publishing companies
  • charities
  • banking and insurance companies
  • accountancy firms
  • recruitment agencies

Is there more information available online?

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Apply for Philosophy and Sociology BA (Hons)

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2025

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.