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
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 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
Relevant Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP):
- 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:
- The evolving politics of the British Isles PLUS
- Introduction to politics OR
- Ideas and ideologies in politics
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 1800-2000 OR
- Scotland, the North Sea and the Baltic
You will study the following politics modules:
- Scottish politics before and after the independence referendum
- History of political ideas
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:
- Crown-magnate relations in later medieval northern Scotland
- Scots in North America
- Emigration from the Highlands and Islands since 1750
- Scots in Poland, Poles in Scotland
- The sovereignty of the sea?
Politics modules may include:
- Devolution, federalism and territorial politics
- European politics
- Challenging liberal democracy
- Wars of the promised land
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 empire strikes back: how the British Empire shaped Scotland
- The art of display
- Merchants, mariners and maritime marauders: Scottish trade in the early modern period
- The Highland wars: origins, aftermath and interpretations
- Culture and Christianity in the Highlands and Islands
- The seventeenth century in the Highlands
Politics modules may include:
- Geopolitics: territory, security and strategy
- Political theory
- Terrorism and unconventional warfare
- Transforming regimes in eastern Europe
How will I study my course?
- Full Time
- Part Time (Structured)
- Part Time (Unstructured)
You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE) with support from your tutors. There is a weekly two-hour timetabled video conference lecture for each module which students should attend at their home campus.
How long will my course last?
- Full Time: 4 Years @ 40 hours per week
- Part time: 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?
Start date
- September
- January (part-time only)
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:
| Degrees | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £645 | £645 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £215 | £215 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:
| Level | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Full-time | ||
| Year 1 | CertHE | £8,000 | £9,000 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £8,000 | £9,000 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £8,000 | £9,000 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free* | free* |
*4th year free only for students studying full-time who have paid for the previous 3 years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,340 (2017-18) and £1,500 (2018-19).
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 whilst 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:
| 2017-18 | 2018-19 | |
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £10,500 | £11,100 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year** | £5,250 | £5,550 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module)** | £1,750 | £1,850 |
**There is no part-time study option for Tier 4 sponsored international students.
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.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your BA (Hons) Scottish History and Politics course, there are a variety of careers you might like to consider. Here is just a taster of the kind of opportunities available to you:
- Teaching and research
- Media and politics
- Journalism
- Local and national government
- Museums and libraries
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from the BA (Hons) Scottish History and Politics to the following postgraduate course:
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.