What is special about this course?

By combining the two distinct but complementary subjects of Scottish History and Politics, this joint honours degree will give you a range of future employment, advanced study or research opportunities. You will study the two disciplines, based in the Highlands and Islands, yet with an international approach that will prepare you for life beyond university.

As you progress through the course, you will choose from a combination of modules, equally balanced between Scottish history and politics. You will study the history and politics of Scotland, Britain, Europe, North America and the wider world.

Over two-thirds of the research conducted by the Centre for History was rated at 4 and 3*, indicating ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, in the latest assessment of UK university research quality.

The impact of our research on the broader economy and society was ranked joint 8th, higher than Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh. We are also the highest ranked new History department in the UK.

Special features

• Scottish history modules are taught by experts from the university's Centre for History
• This joint honours degree gives you a broad understanding and skills base in global issues in history and politics
• You can study full time or part time to suit your personal circumstances
• You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
• The Centre of History holds regular research seminars to which students are welcome
• There are opportunities to volunteer at local museums and archives as well as occasional formal opportunities.
• Occasional (voluntrary) field-trips in the university's region enhance the experience of your degree

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

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 SCQF credits) with 3 additional SCQF credits at level 7, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit, will be considered for direct entry to year two.

PVG scheme membership may be required in order to take part in optional modules in year three.

Access routes

Students eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP) will be able to apply for entry to BA (Hons) Scottish History and Politics with a grade profile of BBC in one of the below courses and and 8 units passed at SCQF level 6:

• Access to: Arts and Humanities (Newbattle Abbey College)
• Access to: Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Teaching (Edinburgh College)
• Access to: Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Teaching (North East Scotland College)
• Access to: Celtic Studies incorporating Primary Education with Gaelic (Newbattle Abbey College)
• Access to: Community, Education and Humanities (Dundee & Angus College)
• Access to: Degree Studies (Forth Valley College)
• Access to: Humanities (Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Education) (Fife College)
• Access to: Humanities (Fife College)
• Access to: Humanities (Perth College UHI)
• Access to: Languages with Business (Edinburgh College)
• Access to: Languages, Arts and Social Sciences (Edinburgh College)
• Access to: University Study (Dundee & Angus College)
• NQ Access to: Social Sciences (West Lothian College)
• NQ Access to: Teaching (West Lothian College)

Access to Christian Theology at our university and other relevant humanities access courses will also be considered on an individual basis.

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following Scottish history modules:

• What is history? PLUS
• Scottish history, 1066-1603 OR
• Scottish history, 1603 - 20th century

You will study the following politics modules:

• Introduction to politics OR
• Ideas and ideologies in politics PLUS
• The evolving politics of the British Isles OR
• Conflict and the balance of power

You will choose two further option modules from a range of history, politics and other humanities subjects.

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following Scottish history modules:

• Historians and history PLUS
• Land and people: the Scottish Highlands 1700-2000 OR
• Scotland, the North Sea and the Baltic

You will study the following politics modules:

• Scottish politics before and after the independence referendum OR
• History of political ideas PLUS
• Compairing political systems OR
• Inside US politics

You will choose two further option modules from a range of history, politics and other humanities subjects.

Year 3 - BA

You will study one of the two core modules (either public history or advanced social research methods) and a further five options, ensuring a balance of three Scottish history and three politics modules. You may take one history module in place of one Scottish history module.

Scottish history modules may include:

• The Jacobites: patriots, rebels or opportunists?
• Scots in North America
• Emigration from the Highlands and Islands since 1750
• The sovereignty of the sea?
• Crown-magnate relations in later medieval northern Scotland
• Scots in Poland, Poles in Scotland

Politics modules may include:

• Challenging liberal democracy OR
• Wars of the promised land PLUS
• Devolution, federalism and territorial politics OR
• European politics

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete a dissertation in Scottish history or politics. You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject plus three option modules from the other subject. You may choose one history option in place of a Scottish history option.

Scottish history modules may include:

• The Highland wars: origins, aftermath and interpretations
• Culture and Christianity in the Highlands and Islands
• The seventeenth century in the Highlands
• The empire strikes back: how the British Empire shaped Scotland
• Royal power, propaganda and perfromance: selling the Stewart Monarchy
• Merchants, mariners and maritime marauders: Scottish trade in the early modern period
• Noble, Rebel, King: Robert Bruce and medieval Scotland

Politics modules may include:

• Geopolitics: territory, security and strategy
• Transforming regimes in eastern Europe
• Political theory
• Terrorism and unconventional warfare

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland or the European Union/EEA (outside of the UK) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

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) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,500.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time RUK and International undergraduate students for continuous and contiguous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant university partner college for more information.

Additional Costs

You will be required to cover any expenses for participation in fieldtrips.