History, heritage and social studies
Our unique culture and history play a huge part in what makes Scotland special.
At UHI you can choose to study archaeology on the Orkney Isles with world-renowned sites on your doorstep such as Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Camster Cairns, and Mousa Broch, some of which predate Stonehenge and are up to 5000 years old.
Learn about Scotland’s Viking connections from recognised experts in this field, to re-evaluate the Vikings' past, present, and future.
Immerse yourself in Gaelic language, culture, heritage and traditions at our Sabhal Mòr Ostaig campus on the beautiful Isle of Skye.
Learn more from our lecturers: History, heritage and social studies at UHI >
Undergraduate
We offer a wide range of possibilities for humanities students. You can enrol on our General Studies (Humanities) and pick and choose modules to study, and can choose to study to earn credits (with assessments), or for purely interest purposes (without assessments). To find out more, see our humanities curriculum:
Postgraduate
- Applied Social Sciences: Globalisation and Crime
- Archaeological Practice
- Archaeological Studies
- Coastal and Maritime Societies and Cultures
- History
- History and Archaeology of the Highlands and Islands
- History of the Highlands and Islands
- Island Studies
- Material Culture and Gàidhealtachd History
- Music and the Environment
- Scottish Heritage
- Theology, Worldview and Culture
- Viking Studies
Caitlin, history graduate
My advice to potential applicants would be to do it! Everything you could possibly imagine is within UHI and you can gain the qualification that you want while staying local.
Caitlin studied the BA (Hons) History at UHI Argyll.
Pathways to study
If you don't initially meet the entry requirements for degree study there is always another route and you may want to consider an HNC or access course.
- HNC Social Sciences
- Access to Humanities (SWAP) NQ
- Social Sciences NQ Level 6/NC Social Sciences Level 6 (Perth, Inverness, Moray, Shetland, Argyll)
- Access to Higher Education SCQF 6 (Online Virtual Classroom) NQ (North, West and Hebrides)
- Access to Island Tourism and Tourist Guiding SCQF Level 6/Island Tourism and Tourist Guiding (STGA Accredited) SCQF Level 6 ( Orkney)
- Highland Heritage for Tourism CertHE
- Christian Theology Access
Careers and professional development
Graduates progress into a variety of roles:
- Archaeological contract units
- Archives, libraries and museums
- Creative arts and writing
- Court and security services
- Media, marketing, PR, journalism and publishing
- Teaching, education and academia
- Tourism and heritage
Professional development opportunities
- Sustainable Development (SCQF level 7) CPD Award
- Community Development CPD Award
- Language Development CPD Award
- Rural Community Development (SCQF level 9) CPD Award
- Climate Emergency Fundamentals (SCQF level 9) CPD Award
- Archaeology and Local Studies CPD (subject to validation)
- Archaeology Personal Development CPD